Google Chrome: Desktop Equivalent to Microsoft Edge's Read Aloud Feature

Google Chrome: Desktop Equivalent to Microsoft Edge's Read Aloud Feature

Microsoft Edge has a built-in "Read Aloud" feature that converts on-screen text to spoken words, making it an excellent tool for accessibility and multitasking. However, some users prefer Google Chrome as their main browser and might be interested in a similar feature. In this article, we will explore equivalent options in Google Chrome for the desktop version.

Text-to-Speech Extensions

Although Google Chrome does not have a built-in "Read Aloud" feature like Microsoft Edge, several extensions can provide similar functionalities. We will cover a few popular options.

NaturalReader Text-to-Speech

NaturalReader Text-to-Speech is a popular extension available on the Chrome Web Store. It supports various languages, offers different voices, and allows you to adjust the reading speed. Below is a brief guide on how to use it:

1. Install the NaturalReader Text-to-Speech extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click on the extension icon and select "Open NaturalReader."
3. Highlight the text you want to hear, right-click, and then choose "Read selected text" or click the "Play" button in the NaturalReader window.

Select-and-Speak

An alternative extension is Select-and-Speak. It works out-of-the-box, requiring no configuration, and can be easily used with a simple right-click. Follow the steps below:

1. Install the Select-and-Speak extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Highlight the text to be read, then right-click and choose "Read the selected text."

Web-Based Alternatives

While extensions are convenient, sometimes web-based alternatives can be sufficient. The following is an example:

Readability

The Readability web app is not a complete "Read Aloud" solution, but a useful tool to enhance readability and focus. It can remove unnecessary clutter from web pages and transform them into a cleaner, distraction-free format. You can then use the above-mentioned extensions or accessibility features in your operating system to read the text aloud. Here's how to use it:

1. Visit Readability.com and create an account.
2. Install the Readability extension from the Chrome Web Store.
3. Visit a web page and click the "Readability" button to clean up the content.

Google Chrome might not have a built-in "Read Aloud" feature, but several extensions and web-based alternatives can offer similar functionalities. NaturalReader Text-to-Speech, Select-and-Speak, and Readability are just a few tools that can help you when working with Google Chrome.

References

• Book: Hunger, B., & Lenz, P. (2022). Web Accessibility: Developing Inclusive Websites . Apress.
• Online Resources:
  • NaturalReader Text-to-Speech
  • Select-and-Speak
  • Readability.com