Google is currently in the process of testing a text-to-speech functionality for Chrome’s reading mode on desktop, according to a report by Android Police.
This capability resembles a feature I use on Instapaper, and its potential application within Chrome seems promising, allowing users to conveniently listen to articles while working within their preferred browser.
Reportedly accessible in Chrome Canary, Google’s advanced Chrome version, an individual identified as Leopeva64 shared insights about this innovation.
For users with access to the feature, a play button situated at the article’s top in reading mode can be clicked to initiate Google’s reading of the content. Leopeva64 additionally posted a Reddit link containing a video demonstration of the feature’s operation.
Nonetheless, the video reveals areas where Google could enhance its functionality. The text-to-speech voice comes across as somewhat robotic, and it reads out the header as “summary” instead of smoothly pronouncing the word.
Unfortunately, I’m unable to provide further insight due to my inability to access the feature in the Canary version downloaded from Google’s website at the time of writing.
It’s worth noting that Google is entering this domain later than Microsoft, whose Edge browser already offers a comprehensive text-to-speech feature called Immersive View for websites.
However, if Google proceeds to widely implement this new text-to-speech feature, it could become an appealing choice for Chrome users who prefer consuming information via audio. The only request would be for Google to refine the feature’s auditory quality and minimize the robotic aspect.
