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Mozilla ‘working’ on a voice-controlled browser called Scout

And it could possibly read websites aloud.
And it could possibly read websites aloud. And it could possibly read websites aloud.

Mozilla is taking voice-controlled technology to the next level, it would appear.

A new browser is yet to be announced formally but such a product, called Scout, was hinted at in company conference documents, first spotted by CNET.

An agenda item discussing technical requirements for a voice browser begins: “Hey Scout, read me the article about polar bears.

“With the Scout app, we start to explore browsing and consuming content with voice.

“This talk will discuss the architecture and key components needed for a voice platform, the required capabilities of those components and the challenges of working with the limitations and confines of existing platforms.”

The polar bear instruction given is an indication of what Scout may be able to do, taking voice instruction and reading out articles to users.

This could have a positive effect on user experience for visually and physically-impaired internet users.

“We use our internal All Hands conference to come together so we can plan and build for the future,” Mozilla told CNET. “We look forward to discussing these efforts publicly when they are further developed.”

Mozilla is the non-profit organisation behind the browser Firefox. It now hosts approximately 5% of web use, according to StatCounter.