Google Chrome on Android will receive a significant accessibility boost with the introduction of the new ‘Listen to this page’ feature. Google announced this feature as part of last month’s Android feature drop. In addition, the company is currently rolling out the Chrome 130 update.
Google Chrome Initial Limitations of the Feature
The feature had limited functionality. In addition, in June it was originally leaked behind an experimental flag. The audio would stop playing as soon as the user closed Chrome or turned off their phone display. As a result, it resembles the behavior of YouTube Music.
Major Upgrades Reported
According to a recent report by 9to5Google, the ‘Listen to this page’ feature is receiving a substantial upgrade. Users can now enjoy continuous playback even when they exit the Chrome app and open other applications.
Google Chrome Enhanced Reader Menu and Controls
When an article is active, a reader menu appears at the bottom of the page. If users switch to a different app, media controls are accessible in quick settings. Additionally, it enables them to play or pause the audio, jump to specific sections of the page, or navigate through the audio in 10-second increments. Furthermore, users can adjust the playback speed from 0.5x to 4x. In addition, they can choose from 10 different voice options when tapping on the reader in Chrome.
Dedicated Play Button for Webpages
Google also provides users the option to add a dedicated play button for webpages. Users can do this by long-pressing the new tab icon, selecting “Edit shortcut,” and changing it to “Listen to this page.”
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Google Chrome Competing with Safari’s Features
With these latest updates, Google Chrome is already one of the most popular browsers on Android. In addition, it is now in direct competition with the “Listen to Page” feature on Safari, which offers similar functionality. This enhancement cements Chrome’s position as a leader in accessibility features on mobile browsers.
