Google Chrome for Android recently introduced a feature that allows the browser to read aloud any web page with a lot of text. The feature, called “Listen to this page”, can be accessed via the three-dot menu icon and includes the option to hear the text in different voices and languages. Now, a recent report suggests that this feature can be further improved with an option for text playback in the background.
Background text playback
According to a report by MSPowerUser, Google is said to be developing additional functionality for the “Listen to this page” feature that will allow background playback of web page text. Currently, Chrome users on the Android platform can enable this option to start the text-to-speech feature, but it stops as soon as the browser is minimized.
The Google Chrome app for Android has been reported to have a trademark called “Read Aloud Background Playback”. This is said to allow the Google Chrome feature to run in the background. The flag description reads: “Add support for background playback for read-aloud.”
In particular, the “Listen to this page” feature on Android can play audio while the user switches to a different tab and even when the device is locked. It was introduced with version 125 of Google Chrome for Android. Once activated, it appears with a mini-player at the bottom of the screen with play/pause, 10-second fast-forward/rewind, and playback speed options. Also, the web page automatically scrolls as the function continues to read the text.
Google Listen to this page supports several Indian and global languages including German, English, Bengali, Chinese, English, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish
Minimized custom tabs
In addition to the “Listen to this page” feature, Google Chrome for Android also recently introduced minimized custom tabs with the Chrome 124 update. It allows users to mix between native apps and web content and appears as a down button in the banner top next to the website name. Once activated, it turns your Chrome tab into a floating picture-in-picture (PiP) window.
