Google Adds Audio Briefings to News App

Google introduces the AI-generated Audio Briefing feature in the Google News app, which provides hands-free news listening functionality to mobile users.

Google has started releasing a new feature called "Audio Briefing" in the Google News app where users can listen to selected news headlines rather than read them. The update is designed to give one the hands-free experience, especially when you're on the run, driving, or trying to do other tasks at the same time.

A new feature, Audio Briefing, which was first rolled out via a pilot program, is now available for Android users as well, with iOS being rolled out soon. Inside the Google News app, users will see the addition of a new fourth tab, the tab "Listen," which is indicated by the headphones icon. Rather than bring up a new screen, the feature brings up a bottom sheet audio player with a clean, Material 3-inspired interface.

The player features play and pause, variable speed and skip buttons, such as a 15-second rewind, a 30-second forward, and a "next subject" button to jump to the next topic. Google has pointed out that the Audio Briefing is created by AI and it does have some inaccuracies.

Each Google Audio Briefing lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes, and it covers several stories. The format has two AI hosts talking about the news in a conversational tone to make the updates more interesting for the listeners.

With the launch, Google is continuing its push into growing how people consume news and the focus on accessibility, AI-driven features, and flexible content formats that are implemented across Google's ecosystem.