ChatGPTs Free Read Aloud Feature Challenges Audible

While the market has many text-to-speech apps, they often come with high price tags and robotic voices. However, ChatGPT, a tool already popular for drafting and summarizing text, has introduced a Read Aloud feature that is impressively high-quality.

This new function has become a go-to for many tasks, from reviewing article drafts and listening to long emails to even enjoying entire books. The best part is its simplicity, great sound quality, and inclusion in the free tier, meaning a ChatGPT Plus subscription is not required.

How to Use ChatGPT's Read Aloud Feature

If you are using the ChatGPT mobile app on your iPhone or Android device, you can start using this feature immediately. Here is a simple guide:

1. Press and hold on any message bubble within a conversation.
2. Select the “Read Aloud” option from the popup menu, which is marked with a speaker icon.
3. Tap the icon, and ChatGPT will begin reading the text in a natural-sounding voice.
4. You can use the playback controls to pause, rewind, or adjust the reading speed.

This functionality works with any text you provide. You can upload a document or paste text into the chat, and ChatGPT can read it back to you. The app even allows you to choose from different voice styles, with the natural, human-like option being a significant step up from competitors like Speechify.

A Free Alternative to Speechify and Audible

Dedicated applications such as Speechify offer powerful features for converting articles to audio but are typically expensive and can produce voices that are unpleasant to listen to. The author even notes that discovering ChatGPT's Read Aloud feature led them to cancel their long-standing Audible subscription.

In contrast, ChatGPT’s tool is free, instant, and context-aware. Because it exists within the same interface used for brainstorming and editing, having it read a passage aloud is a seamless and integrated experience.

Practical Use Cases for AI Narration

The Read Aloud feature is highly versatile. Here are a few key areas where it proves most useful:

• Editing on the Go: Listening to your own writing is an effective way to catch typos and awkward sentences.
• Multitasking: You can have ChatGPT read articles, documents, or books aloud while you are busy with other activities like cooking, cleaning, or exercising.
• Accessibility: It serves as an excellent tool for individuals experiencing reading fatigue or visual strain.

A Few Minor Drawbacks

Although this new feature is very useful, it has some limitations. Unlike specialized services, you must manually copy and paste or upload documents and book pages into the chat interface. The playback can also be interrupted occasionally, with ChatGPT pausing to ask if it should continue reading.

However, for a free and readily available tool, these minor inconveniences are a small price to pay for the convenience it offers.

Final Thoughts

If you already use ChatGPT for writing, research, or general productivity, the Read Aloud feature is a valuable addition worth exploring. It effectively transforms the AI assistant into a lightweight audiobook player that understands the context of your work.

While Speechify might retain an edge for long-form listening with advanced controls, ChatGPT’s integrated feature may be all you need for most everyday tasks. Give it a try and see how it fits into your workflow.