microsoft12121Microsoft Bing is testing a new iOS app called NewsCast that uses text-to-voice technology to help users catch up on the news while on the go.

Neowin first reported on the app, which is designed to give you a “more productive commute” with short 30-second summaries of news stories that are read aloud.

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed with GeekWire that the app is “an internal experience available to only select Microsoft employees, and we have no specific plans to share about future availability.”

“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. We’ll share more information when available,” the spokesperson added.

Neowin noted that two voices alternate when reading stories and users can save articles for later review on the app, which is not being built inside the Microsoft Garage.

There aren’t a whole lot of other apps that read news to you, but Newsbeat is a popular existing option. SoundGecko was another app that aimed to “reinvent the radio,”  but it shut down earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Facebook is reportedly developing a Twitter-like app that sends breaking news alerts to smartphones.

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