SwiftRead is a Chrome extension that helps you read faster. When you open an articles, email or PDF document, the add-on can display the words in a special window that shows them one after another at a speed you choose. The idea here is to reduce distractions and help you focus so that you can finish long texts more quickly.
You can customize how the app displays the text in detail
The role of the extension is to help you improve your reading speed, and this is why it packs several settings to help you achieve that at your own pace. While the main function is to help you read more words per minute, this is not its only function. The extension also lets you fine-tune other aspects of how the text is displayed to make the reading feel easier and eventually faster.
You can change the reading speed, choose how many words appear at once, modify the font size and spacing or adjust the focus span which refers to controlling how much text is highlighted at once. For best results, you should increase the speed gradually so that your comprehension can keep up.
If necessary, you can let the app read the text aloud while you follow along on the screen, which may help some people stay focused and understand what they are reading better.
Does reading faster mean compromising on understanding the text?
While reading speed can be important, understanding the text is equally important. SwiftRead is a tool that aims to train the mechanical part of reading so that you can use more of your attention to understand and remember what you read.
Take note that the extension can’t directly train comprehension or memory, but rather things like moving your eyes more efficiently and reducing distractions. The idea is that, by making the physical process of reading more efficiently and requiring less effort from your eyes, you may have more mental energy left to understand and remember the content.