Google reveals a revamped read-aloud feature in major accessibility update

Date:
Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:43:44 +0000

Description:
Read-aloud capabilities could get a long-awaited upgrade on Google Chrome.

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As Microsoft continues to enhance its user experience with new features , Google is playing catch-up and copying Edges homework by introducing a new-and-improved read-aloud feature to Chrome.

The read-aloud feature is currently available in the Canary test build of the browser for developers and Chrome enthusiasts, so theres no knowing right now when well see it reach the public build. It currently only allows Chrome
users to control the speed at which articles and webpages are read, but more options could be added before its public release.

According to Bleeping Computer , future updates could potentially allow users to switch between different voice options, which could make for an
interesting and rather immersive listening experience, particularly if Google could offer different reading personalities - perhaps something similar to TikToks different voiceover options, which can add completely different vibes videos. Listening to articles like a podcast!

The read-aloud feature will also have a visual element in that the sentence being read will be highlighted as its being spoken, to ensure you can keep track of where you are and not get lost. This is an easy feature to overlook; screen readers arent solely used by the fully blind, but also by partially-sighted people and users with conditions such as dyslexia.

While this is a step in the right direction, Chrome still has some work to do to reach Edges pretty impressive immersive screen reader experience. AI-powered, the reader lets you listen to content at your own pace while
youre performing other tasks. My favorite part of Edges read-aloud feature is the ability to choose between different voices and accents!

Hopefully, the new version of the feature will quickly move from Canary to
the public version of Chrome, as its an important accessibility feature that will definitely be welcomed on the browser. You might also like... Google Chrome is giving all users a major security boost Google's new Incognito Mode trick: Chrome will now hide what you've been watching Google pledges 10 years of Chromebook software updates - if you qualify



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/chrome/google-reveals-a-revamped-read-alou d-feature-in-major-accessibility-update


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