A More Relaxed Way to Enjoy Reading Online
One small discovery this week reminded me that using AI and modern technology does not always mean spending more time looking at a screen.
I enjoy writing and reading blog posts, but as we get older, sitting in front of a computer or holding a phone for a long time can become tiring. Sometimes I would rather sit back, relax, and listen.
That is where AI Playback in Google Chrome can be useful.
Let Chrome Read the Page to You
If you are reading a suitable webpage in the Google Chrome browser, Chrome may offer a “Listen to this page” feature. When available, it can read the article aloud while you relax.
I use this feature to listen to my own blog posts. It gives me a different way to experience something I have written.
Instead of continuously watching the screen, I can put my phone down, listen, and simply enjoy the story.
For seniors, I think this can be particularly helpful.
You might be sitting comfortably in a chair, having your morning coffee, taking a rest, or simply giving your eyes a break. The information is still there—you are just receiving it through your ears instead of your eyes.
My Experience This Week
Interestingly, I had a small problem this week.
I tried several times to use AI Playback on my Android phone, but I received a message saying that AI Playback was not available.
At first, I wondered whether something was wrong with my phone or my blog.
Then today I tried again.
It worked!
That was a useful reminder that some online features may occasionally be unavailable temporarily. If something that normally works suddenly doesn't work, it does not necessarily mean that your phone, computer, or website is broken.
Sometimes, trying again later is all that is necessary.
Try It on Your Phone
If you use an Android phone with Google Chrome, open a blog article or another webpage containing an article.
Tap the three dots ⋮ in Chrome and look for “Listen to this page.”
If the feature is available for that webpage, Chrome can read the content aloud.
The exact options may vary depending on your device, browser version, language, and the webpage.
Why I Like It
For me, the biggest advantage is simple:
I don't have to watch the screen all the time.
I can listen to a story while resting my eyes.
And there is something surprisingly pleasant about hearing one of my own Grandpa Journey stories being read aloud. It feels less like using a computer and more like having someone sit beside me and tell me a story.
Technology doesn't always have to make our lives more complicated.
Sometimes the best technology simply gives us another, easier way to enjoy what we already have.
So, if you enjoy reading blogs but don't always want to stare at a screen, give Chrome's “Listen to this page” feature a try.
You may find that listening is a more relaxed way to enjoy the internet.
Exploring → Learning → Documenting
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