Google has introduced a new feature called "Listen to this page" in the Android version of the Chrome browser, allowing webpages to be read aloud with playback controls like pause, adjust reading speed, scrub forward, and skip ahead or back by 10 seconds.

Users can customize the reading experience by changing the voice, language, reading speed, and playback options, with support for languages like English, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish.

To access the feature, users need to navigate to a text-heavy webpage, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Listen to this page" below the Translate option.

While Google Assistant can also read webpages aloud and translate them, the new "Listen to this page" feature keeps users within the Chrome browser, unlike the Assistant which redirects users to the Google app.

Similar features have been tested on Chrome desktops, and Safari for iPhone offers a counterpart called "Listen to Page" with comparable abilities using Siri's voice and playback controls.

The new feature was initially observed in the beta version of Chrome, indicating a phased rollout by Google to users.

Sources: The Verge, TechEDT, Daily Guardian

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

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Intel Israel, which a month ago acquired Israeli startup Screenovate for $100 million, has implemented a development from Screenovate in its EVO line of laptops, which it rolled out Tuesday as part of CES 2022.

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Screenovate's product offers a solution to a common problem for tech users – the need to sync different gadgets from computers to smartwatches, especially when the devices are running on different operating systems – IOS, Android, Windows, Chrome, and more.

According to Intel, the technology allows end users to execute any action from any device on a single management system, while maintaining a unified experience. For example, an iPhone user will be able to text an EVO laptop or answer the phone from the computer.

Intel has rolled on a display model showing how a PowerPoint presentation can be transferred from an Android smartphone to a television or computer with one touch of a button.

Ilan Bressler, Wireless Connectivity Chief Operating Officer at Intel, said, "Our research indicates that the consumer puts great importance on smooth transition of data between different kinds of devices. Thanks to Screenovate's wonderful technology and team, we want to solve one of the biggest headaches for users when it comes to sharing information and working with others, making the type of OS irrelevant."

Intel is also unveiling another Israeli development at this year's CES trade show – the new 12^th-gen processer for laptops, Core i9-12900HK.

Intel says its new processer shows 40% improvement over the last version and outperforms competitors such as Apple's flagship products and is 28% faster than the Core i9-11980HK.

The latest Intel processor was planned and tested at Intel Israel.

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Six months after Apple Pay became available in Israel, smartphone users can now enjoy Google Pay.

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Google Pay can be used for purchases of over 300 shekels ($96) and is available for free download from Google Store.

To use Google Pay, a smartphone user is identified via code or fingerprint. Then they hold their device up to a business' payment terminal, and the transaction is processed. Google Pay can be used at any business set up to take EMV contact-free payments.

The Bank of Israel has instructed all businesses in Israel to install EMV systems, and the process is expected to be completed in the coming months.

In a related development, starting Tuesday, Android users who have Max credit cards are now able to use Google Pay rather than the Max smartphone app.

According to Max CEO Ron Fainaro, payment via smartphone in Israel is gaining traction a growing at an average rate of 10% per month.

"Most of the users, almost 60%, are under age 40. About 20% are aged 41-50, and the rest are over 51. I'm certain that Google Pay will increase even more the use of smartphones as a key payment method," Fainaro said.

Since Apple Pay became an option for Israeli iPhone users, the number of payment transactions conducted by smartphone jumped by several hundred percent. However, smartphone payment still comprises only some 7% of digital payments in Israel.

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