Podcast Summary: Hands-On Tech 225: Can I Have My Emails Read Out Loud From My Phone?

Podcast Information:

• Title: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
• Host: Micah Sargent
• Episode: Hands-On Tech 225
• Release Date: July 20, 2025

Introduction

In Hands-On Tech episode 225, Micah Sargent addresses a practical and relatable tech question submitted by a listener named Bob. The episode delves into the feasibility of having emails read aloud from an iPhone, particularly useful for those who wish to manage their emails hands-free while driving.

Listener’s Question

Bob reaches out with the following query:

"Is there an iOS app that can read my emails to me while I'm driving? Maybe works with voice commands like next, previous, delete, etc. Surely I can't be the only one who wants this type of app. Does it already exist and I've just overlooked it?"
— Bob [01:21]

Micah’s Initial Response

Micah begins by addressing the apparent simplicity of Bob’s question, acknowledging that while it seems straightforward, finding the right solution isn’t as obvious as one might hope.

"I have some bad news for you to kick things off because I thought too this does seem like something that should be okay and you know that should happen by default and in a way it is."
— Micah Sargent [01:21]

Outlook Mobile’s Discontinued Feature

Micah discusses a former solution:

• Outlook Mobile previously featured a “Play my Emails” function that allowed users to listen to their emails via a play button within the app.

  "Outlook Mobile had this feature built in called Play my Emails and it would you hit the play button. It was in the main part of the app and it would read your emails out loud to you."
  — Micah Sargent [03:00]

• Unfortunately, Microsoft discontinued this feature in June of the previous year, possibly due to its reliance on Cortana for voice functions.

  "Unfortunately, Microsoft discontinued this feature in June of last year. Why I don't know."
  — Micah Sargent [04:15]

Exploring Alternative Solutions

With Outlook’s feature removed, Micah explores other avenues:

1. Search for Alternative Email Apps:

   • Micah couldn’t find other email applications with built-in email reading features similar to the discontinued Outlook function.

     "I couldn't find another email application that had this feature built in by default... Because that's something very easy to do."
     — Micah Sargent [04:45]

2. Accessibility Applications:

   • While there are accessibility-focused apps that can read text aloud, they require manual copying and pasting of emails, which isn’t ideal for seamless use while driving.

     "But I know that that's not what you're after. You want something that's an email application first and foremost."
     — Micah Sargent [05:30]

Siri: The Built-In Solution

Micah highlights Siri as a viable built-in option:

• Voice Commands: Users can instruct Siri to read emails, check for new ones, and perform actions like replying or deleting.

  "There is a feature that's built in. Siri can read your email to you. You can say the name of your virtual assistant and then say read my emails."
  — Micah Sargent [05:50]

• Functionality:

  • Siri reads the sender, subject line, and provides a summary of the most recent email.

  • Users can interact with Siri to navigate their emails using commands like “reply,” “archive,” or “delete.”

    "In Modern versions of iOS will also provide a summary. Afterward, Siri will ask if you'd like the full message ready."
    — Micah Sargent [06:10]

• Integration with CarPlay: Siri’s compatibility with CarPlay ensures smooth functionality while driving.

  "With it built in to your phone, it also means that if you use CarPlay, it's going to work well with that functionality as well."
  — Micah Sargent [06:30]

Pros:

• Seamless integration with the iOS ecosystem.
• Voice-controlled, minimizing the need for manual interaction.

Cons:

• Potential delays as Siri processes and responds to commands.
• Limited ability to browse emails without specific commands.

Speak Screen: An Accessibility Feature

Another built-in option is Speak Screen, an accessibility feature:

• Activation:

  • Enabled via Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > Speak Screen.

  • Once activated, a two-finger swipe down from the top of the screen initiates the reading of on-screen content.

    "You toggle that on and once you've enabled, automatically enables a little shortcut gesture that you do where you take two fingers and swipe down from the top of the screen."
    — Micah Sargent [07:45]

• Customization:

  • Users can adjust the reading speed to suit their preferences.

    "You can change the speed at which it reads. So where you might get tired of hearing Siri very slowly work its way through your email, this is just going to go through either, you know, at a slower speed or a faster speed."
    — Micah Sargent [08:15]

Pros:

• Adjustable reading speed.
• Can read any on-screen content, not limited to emails.

Cons:

• Requires manual activation, which can be distracting while driving.
• Does not automatically navigate through emails; users must interact with the screen to open each email.

Custom Shortcuts: A Technical Alternative

Micah briefly touches on creating a Shortcut to automate email reading:

• Potential: A Shortcut could be programmed to fetch emails and read their contents aloud.

  "There is technically a third option which is to use a shortcut that you build to kind of check the email, pull the subject out, read the sub, or rather not pull the subject out, but pull the subject and the body of the email and read it."
  — Micah Sargent [09:30]

• Challenges:

  • Complexity in setting up.

  • Potential for reading extraneous or formatted information, leading to a cluttered listening experience.

    "But that can get so complicated and so messy because email bodies may contain extra information and so suddenly you're getting weird XM and stuff that's involved in that."
    — Micah Sargent [10:00]

Final Recommendation

After evaluating the options, Micah advises:

"Bob, my official and final and true advice for you is just use Siri to read your email out loud to you while you're in the car. I think that that's the simplest, most interactive and most full featured way of making your way through your email."
— Micah Sargent [11:30]

He expresses regret over Outlook discontinuing its email reading feature, noting it was the ideal solution for such needs.

Additional Promotions and Closing

While wrapping up, Micah promotes Club Twit, highlighting benefits like ad-free content, exclusive feeds, bonus shows, and access to a dedicated Discord community. However, as per the summary guidelines, promotional content is skipped.

Conclusion

Hands-On Tech episode 225 provides a comprehensive exploration of the options available for having emails read aloud on an iPhone. While the discontinuation of Outlook's built-in feature leaves a gap, Micah effectively guides listeners through alternative solutions, ultimately recommending Siri for its seamless integration and functionality. Additionally, accessibility features like Speak Screen offer supplementary options, albeit with certain limitations. This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking hands-free email management on their mobile devices.

Notable Quotes:

• "I think the problem that you might struggle with there is how long it takes for Siri to read through and the sort of the way that everything's kind of locked into place." — Micah Sargent [05:50]

• "The real great choice would have been Outlook back whenever it had that feature, and I'm really sad that that's gone now." — Micah Sargent [13:00]

• "Use Siri to read your email out loud to you while you're in the car. I think that that's the simplest, most interactive and most full featured way of making your way through your email." — Micah Sargent [11:30]

This detailed summary encapsulates the essential discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode, offering listeners a clear understanding of the available solutions for having emails read aloud on an iPhone.