Overview
- The Listen tab and AI-generated briefing are rolling out in the U.S. on Android, observed on Google News version 5.146.x with background playback and standard controls.
- Per-article text-to-speech uses Gemini voices with adjustable speeds, and playback can be set as default or triggered per story.
- iOS support requires Google News version 6.5 or later, and some international users can access the feature by switching their region to the United States.
- Briefings take a podcast-style format with AI hosts and feature stories from participating outlets such as Der Spiegel, El País, Folha de S. Paulo, The Guardian, The Times of India, The Washington Examiner, and The Washington Post.
- Google notes the briefing is AI-generated and can make mistakes, is collecting feedback from users, and is sharing listening metrics with participating publishers.