Chrome’s new feature reads webpages out loud on Android

Google is introducing a new feature called “Listen to this page” for the Chrome browser on Android. This convenient option allows you to have a webpage read out loud directly from within the browser, enhancing your browsing experience. It includes playback controls similar to those in music or podcast players, giving you full control. You can pause, adjust the reading speed, scrub forward, or skip ahead or back by 10 seconds at a time.

Customisable reading experience

This feature also allows you to change the voice and language it uses, making it versatile for users worldwide. Supported languages include English, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish. To check if this feature is available to you, navigate to a webpage with a lot of text, tap the three-dot menu, and look for “Listen to this page” just below the Translate option.

Additionally, you can seamlessly ask Google Assistant to read webpages out loud and translate them into other languages. However, this method takes you out of Chrome and into the Google app, whereas the new feature keeps you within your browser, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted browsing experience.

Desktops and other browsers

Google has also tested this feature on Chrome desktops. The Safari browser on the iPhone offers a similar feature called “Listen to Page,” which uses Siri’s voice to read webpages with playback controls identical to Google’s.

Rest assured, this new option is on its way to you. Currently, it seems to be available in the beta version of Chrome, as Google typically rolls out new features in phases. 9to5Google has reported seeing it in version 125 of the Android Chrome app, so keep an eye out for it.