Microsoft now testing NewsCast; an app that reads the news to users

Microsoft has been testing a new app called NewsCast.

It’s all designed to keep users up to date on the latest news while they’re commuting and don’t want to be staring at tiny text on their phone.

With the app store already flooded with several news aggregation apps, Microsoft’s take on the same idea with text-to-voice service sounds different. It allows you to save summaries for later and also has a feedback button that launches a three-question survey for testers.

This app was discovered on Microsoft Azure Web Sites domain where it was available for download but has since been pulled.

“We’re constantly updating and refining the Bing search experience, and before any changes are implemented they undergo intensive testing and experimentation to ensure the best possible user experience”. Curiously, the app that was on Azure was available only for iOS devices, though it’s probably because a lot of Microsoft employees/testers use iPhones and iPads.

The mobile software reportedly uses Bing speech software to deliver the audio, and seeks to provide a distraction-free way of listening to news from chosen categories while in the vehicle, though you may of course find it useful for a variety of situations.

A representative for Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.