Edge Canary's Read Aloud tool now opens Copilot Vision instead of reading text — a surprising change that could frustrate accessibility-focused users

Does the simple text reader really need to change over to Copilot?

The Immersive Reader tool was introduced in 2020 when Microsoft made the switch to the new Chromium-based Edge web browser that we're still using today. Since then, it has largely remained the same, delivering a focused view akin to an ebook that's easier on the eyes.

Immersive Reader includes a Read Aloud function, which does exactly what its name suggests. As it stands now, you click the "Read aloud" button and a customizable voice begins reading what's on the page. It's an function that many can't live without, and I use it often when I want to "read" an article while my eyes are busy with something else.

In January, X user and regular Windows sleuth Leopeva64 noticed that Immersive Reader had been renamed to "Reading Mode" in context menus and the Edge tooltip in Edge Canary.

Now, as discovered once again by Leopeva64, Immersive Reader (now apparently named Reading Mode) has another change on the way. In the Edge Canary build — an unstable version of Edge used to test experimental features — clicking the "Read aloud" button in the redesigned, Copilot-infused toolbar no longer immediately begins the digital dictation as expected.

Instead, clicking "Read aloud" now launches Copilot Vision. In the demo video provided, a Copilot Vision overlay pops up at the bottom of the window and greets the user by name, as usual. From there, I suspect that you'll need to use voice commands in order to get Copilot Vision to read the content.