Following last week’s announcement, the Google News Audio Briefing is beginning to roll out on Android.
Google has a new pilot program with news publishers around the world to “explore how AI can help drive more engaged audiences.” Specifically, the company is “working with publishers to experiment with new features in Google News.”
For example, we’re testing AI-powered article overviews on participating publications’ Google News pages to give people more context before they click through. And we’re experimenting with audio briefings for those who prefer listening.
The Google News app now has a fourth tab called “Listen” that features over-the-ear headphones badged with an AI sparkle.
Tapping the tab slides up a bottom sheet. This audio player heavily leverages Material 3 Expressive with a play/pause button that morphs and Playback speed controls that make use of button groups. You have 15-second rewind, 30-second forward, and a button to jump to the next subject. Tap the three-dot button to “Send feedback,” with Google noting how: “The Audio Briefing is generated by AI. AI can make mistakes.”
When a story is playing, you will see the headline in the top M3 Expressive container and a pill to “See featured article.” The button next to it lets you see other stories (Full Coverage).
Minimizing this sheet gives you a miniplayer above the bottom bar, while you have standard playback controls in the notification shade. You can browse the Google News app or the rest of your phone as the briefing plays in the background.
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, December 17th. This is the Google News audio briefing, bringing you that story and more sourced from dozens of newsrooms. We’re your AI hosts. Let’s get you in the loop.
My audio briefing today is 13 minutes long with six stories. It’s in the Audio Overview style where you get two hosts having a discussion. The featured articles come from publications in the program like Der Spiegel, El País, Folha de S. Paulo, Infobae, Kompas, The Guardian, The Times of India, The Washington Examiner, and The Washington Post.
Google previously experimented with Daily Listen in the Discover feed, but placing this Audio Overview in the News app might make the most sense.
We’re seeing Audio Briefing in the US today with version 5.146.x of Google News for Android.
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