Text-to-speech function in Reading mode app gets its own widget and can continue to play

Google’s reading mode app is getting an update. The app has been specially developed for blind, visually impaired and dyslexic people and it already offers the possibility to better read difficult to read text. The update now makes it possible to continue to read certain pieces of text aloud, even if the user starts using a different app or switches off the screen of his or her smartphone.

Reading mode app

As mentioned above, Google’s Read Mode app is specifically designed for blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic people. With the app you can, among other things, have text read aloud, adjust the reading environment, change the contrast and font and enlarge the text. There is now an update for the text-to-speech option, the function in which text is read aloud. This ensures that the function does not stop when you leave the relevant app from which text is read. The update also allows you to turn off your screen, the text-to-speech function will then continue to work. The latter was not the case before.

In addition, the app now also shows a special media player widget. Allows you to pause, replay, or rewind and fast-forward the audio. The widget will appear in your notification panel and on your lock screen. You can also choose to disable background playback.

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Availability

The update of the Reading mode app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. The update for the app is being rolled out in phases, which means that not everyone will receive the update at the same time. It is therefore possible that you have not yet received the update. To find out if it’s ready for you, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture at the top right, go to ‘Manage apps and device’, tap ‘Manage’ and select the reading mode app there. If there is an update, you can click on ‘Update’. Mind you, the app is of course only in your list if you have also downloaded it. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll find it in your Quick Settings and easily access it in apps and web pages.