Google Chrome Articles Could Soon Be Heard | What is Known So Far

The widely used web browser Google Chrome may soon be able to read articles aloud to users. Android Police reports that users may get access to the read-aloud feature in the next desktop Chrome version. The internet browser’s reading mode will certainly have this extra capability.

According to the moniker, the function would use text-to-speech technology to read online content aloud much like an audiobook. The article also mentioned the possibility in other browser applications like Pocket. However, users of Chrome’s Canary version are now receiving this functionality.

The Chrome Canary desktop version has a little blue play button that lets users listen to articles after seeing them in reading mode. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @Leopeva64 recently uploaded a video clip showing the functionality in use. Leopeva64 recently said in a post that “Chrome for desktop will also have the option to’read aloud’ articles; the initial implementation of this feature (in the Canary version) is pretty basic but it works.”

The narration of the article may be heard in the video, although it might need some improvement. Instead of saying the sub-heading “Summary” as a single word, it is written out. The article is read aloud in the video by the artificial male voice. This indicates that the feature is still in the testing stage and needs to be improved before it is made available to a larger audience.

Other browsers, in contrast, provide users the option to change the voice, skip a section of the article, and vary the reading speed. A variety of voices in English and other regional languages are available in Microsoft Edge.

On a related CERT-In, the national nodal organization that promotes cybersecurity awareness, many vulnerabilities in Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, and Linux have recently been brought to light. For more information, go here.