1. Home
  2. Productivity
  3. Don't read the news. Listen to It.
Published on Productivity

Don't read the news. Listen to It.

Tyler Weitzman

Tyler Weitzman

MS in Computer Science, Stanford University, Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

apple logo2025 Apple Design Award
50M+ Users

Keeping up with the news often requires time, focus, and constant screen attention. As information becomes more frequent and fragmented, many people are shifting from reading articles to listening to them instead.

Text to speech technology makes it possible to convert news articles into audio, allowing users to stay informed while doing other activities.

In this article, we will explain why listening to the news is becoming more popular, how it compares to reading, and how tools like Speechify make it easy to turn articles into audio.

Why is reading the news becoming harder?

Modern news consumption often involves scanning multiple sources, switching between tabs, and reading long-form articles on screens.

This can lead to:

Information overload
Screen fatigue
Difficulty staying focused
Limited time to fully read articles

As a result, many people struggle to keep up with daily news consistently.

How does listening to the news change the experience?

Listening transforms news consumption into a more flexible activity.

Instead of sitting down to read, users can:

Listen during commutes
Listen while exercising
Listen while doing daily tasks

This allows people to stay informed without needing dedicated reading time.

Is listening to the news faster than reading?

Listening can often be faster than reading, especially when playback speed is increased.

Text to speech tools allow users to:

Adjust speed based on preference
Skip or replay sections easily
Consume more content in less time

For many users, this makes listening a more efficient way to stay updated.

How does text to speech work for news articles?

Text to speech converts written articles into spoken audio using AI voices.

Users can paste links, upload articles, or open webpages and have the content read aloud.

Modern systems also:

Highlight text while reading
Maintain natural pronunciation
Support multiple languages

This creates an experience similar to listening to a podcast, but with written content.

Why is listening better for multitasking?

One of the biggest advantages of listening is the ability to combine it with other activities.

Users can stay informed while:

Walking or commuting
Cooking or cleaning
Working on routine tasks

This makes it easier to integrate news consumption into daily routines.

How does Speechify help you listen to the news?

Speechify allows users to turn any article into audio instantly.

Users can:

Paste or open news articles
Listen with natural AI voices
Adjust playback speed
Sync across devices

This makes it possible to follow multiple news sources without needing to read each article manually.

Does listening improve how people process information?

Listening activates different cognitive processes than reading.

For many users, this can:

Improve focus
Reduce fatigue
Make content easier to follow

Combining listening with visual text can further improve retention.

When is reading still useful?

Reading can still be helpful for:

Deep analysis
Technical or data-heavy content
Detailed research

Many users combine both methods, listening for general updates and reading for deeper understanding.

Why listening to the news is becoming the default

As workflows become more mobile and time-constrained, passive consumption methods are becoming more valuable.

Listening allows users to stay informed without interrupting their day, making it a more scalable way to consume information.

Why Speechify is built for modern news consumption

Speechify is designed to turn written content into audio quickly and clearly.

Its system supports:

High-speed listening
Natural voices
Cross-device syncing
Web and document support

This allows users to follow the news in a way that fits into their daily routine.

FAQ

Can I listen to news articles instead of reading them?

Yes. Text to speech tools allow you to convert news articles into audio and listen instead of reading.

Is listening to the news faster than reading?

It can be faster, especially when using adjustable playback speeds.

What is the best way to listen to news articles?

Using text to speech tools like Speechify allows you to turn articles into audio and listen on any device.

Can I listen to news while multitasking?

Yes. Listening allows you to stay informed while commuting, exercising, or doing daily tasks.

Does Speechify work with any news website?

Speechify can read most webpages, allowing users to listen to articles from a wide range of sources.

Enjoy the most advanced AI voices, unlimited files, and 24/7 support

Try For Free
tts banner for blog

Share This Article

Tyler Weitzman

Tyler Weitzman

MS in Computer Science, Stanford University, Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

Tyler Weitzman is the Co-Founder, Head of Artificial Intelligence & President at Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews. Weitzman is a graduate of Stanford University, where he received a BS in mathematics and a MS in Computer Science in the Artificial Intelligence track. He has been selected by Inc. Magazine as a Top 50 Entrepreneur, and he has been featured in Business Insider, TechCrunch, LifeHacker, CBS, among other publications. Weitzman’s Masters degree research focused on artificial intelligence and text-to-speech, where his final paper was titled: “CloneBot: Personalized Dialogue-Response Predictions.”

speechify logo

About Speechify

#1 Text to Speech Reader

Speechify is the world’s leading text to speech platform, trusted by over 50 million users and backed by more than 500,000 five-star reviews across its text to speech iOS, Android, Chrome Extension, web app, and Mac desktop apps. In 2025, Apple awarded Speechify the prestigious Apple Design Award at WWDC, calling it “a critical resource that helps people live their lives.” Speechify offers 1,000+ natural-sounding voices in 60+ languages and is used in nearly 200 countries. Celebrity voices include Snoop Dogg and Gwyneth Paltrow. For creators and businesses, Speechify Studio provides advanced tools, including AI Voice Generator, AI Voice Cloning, AI Dubbing, and its AI Voice Changer. Speechify also powers leading products with its high-quality, cost-effective text to speech API. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Forbes, TechCrunch, and other major news outlets, Speechify is the largest text to speech provider in the world. Visit speechify.com/news, speechify.com/blog, and speechify.com/press to learn more.