Google Launches Web Version Of Its Read Along App For Kids

The “Read Along” Android app from Google now has the web browser version available. Even though it’s still in beta state, the website has now gone live. At various reading levels, the website offers hundreds of illustrated stories. After choosing a story, children begin reading into the device’s microphone. After they’ve read a word, it is highlighted in blue, and terms that were mispronounced are underlined in red. Click a mispronounced word, and Diya, a virtual assistant, will pronounce the word for you.

Google states that in addition to Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, other browsers (including Safari) will soon be available. English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Spanish, and Portuguese are among the languages in which stories are created.

Additionally, Google has expanded the library of Read Along, which will be accessible later this year on the web and on Android. There are other books on the alphabet and phonics from the educational publisher Kutuki, as well as adaptations of content from the makers of children’s videos USP Studios and ChuChu TV.

Since its release in 2019, more than 30 million kids have downloaded the Read Along Android app. Google notes that kids will now have more device alternatives as a result of the switch to desktop computers, and many will be able to read on bigger screens. Teachers have identified this as being vital for young learners, particularly those who have visual impairments.