Hi, language learners and fellow ebookworms! Hope you’re all having a good weekend, or at least finding a little time to read between everything else. I’m excited to announce that PNL Reader 2.0 is here! This release brings the first Pro feature—voice mode—and a host of enhancements to the reading experience.

Listen Up! (Or Don’t—It’s Your Choice) 🔊

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Ever find yourself reading a long article or web novel on RoyalRoad or ScribbleHub and wishing someone would just read it to you while you sip your coffee and look thoughtful? Wish granted! With the new audio player, you can now select any text and have PNL Reader read it aloud.
This read aloud feature is part of the Pro plan, but everyone gets a free trial quota of 100 uses—so you can try it out and see if it fits your reading style.
Even better, the audio mode automatically detects the language of the text and supports as many languages as you can think of. Learning Swedish? Give it a try and see if it’s better than 8sidor.se! Whether you want to practice your listening skills, rest your eyes, or just hear what your favorite web novel sounds like in a near-human-yet-still-robotic voice, the choice is yours. And if you prefer the sound of silence, you can still read quietly with a paper-feel background like it’s 2008.

Themes for Every Mood 🎨

We’ve also given the theme selector a glow-up. Not only can you switch between dark mode, light mode, and a whole palette of other themes, but you’ll also see a handy color preview icon for each one. No more guessing what “Solarized Light” actually looks like—just click and see. Now you can match your reading mood, your wallpaper, or even your cat’s fur color (no judgment).

A Reading Page That Looks Like Paper (But Won’t Give You Papercuts) 📄

The reading page has been prettified with a sharper background, border, and shadow that make it look like a real sheet of paper—minus the risk of paper cuts or coffee stains. It’s easier on the eyes and just feels right, whether you’re reading late at night or pretending to work during a Zoom call.

PDF Support: Now Featuring arXiv and more 📑

For the academics and research enthusiasts among you, PNL Reader now supports loading PDFs from arXiv and a bunch of other sites. For example, you can open a research paper like https://arxiv.org/pdf/2412.10028v4 or https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00134-020-06294-x.pdf in your browser. Then, just click the PNL Reader icon—PNL Reader will automatically open the PDF in its distraction-free reader mode. Even better, it’s fully integrated with Dictionariez, so you can look up any word in the PDF instantly with a click. Reading academic papers (and actually understanding them) could be much easier!

Still the Same Great Dictionary Integration 📚

And don’t forget, PNL Reader still plays nicely with Dictionariez, so you can click any word and instantly see what it means. Because who has time to open a new tab just to look up “defenestration”?

Open-source and download links 👩‍💻

Full transparency is still the key. PNL Reader is open source, so it’s available for anyone to review and contribute to.
Chrome: PNL Reader on Chrome Web Store
Firefox: PNL Reader on Mozilla Add-ons
Edge: PNL Reader on Edge Web Store

Thanks for reading, and for being part of the PNL Reader community! If you have feedback, suggestions, or just want to share your favorite new theme, drop by Programming N' Language Community. Now go forth and read (or listen) to your heart’s content. And remember, the only thing better than a good ebook is one that reads itself to you.

Hi everyone,

I hope you've had a great week of learning languages and coding! As someone learning Swedish myself, I know how tough it can be—especially if you're shy like me and feel awkward speaking with native speakers. Reading news articles? Even harder, with all the unfamiliar words.

That’s exactly why I built Ordböcker: an all-in-one dictionary app to make Swedish learning easier and less intimidating.

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With Ordböcker, you can instantly look up any word on a webpage—just double-click it. You’ll get definitions from multiple trusted sources with one click on the icon. Vocabulary is the biggest challenge when reading Swedish news—that’s exactly what Ordböcker helps with.

For example, my wife, who’s an intermediate learner, prefers svenska.se for Swedish–Swedish definitions. I’m still a beginner, so I stick with Glosbe.

Here are some dictionaries I find helpful and set as default, but you can suggest more:
🔹 Beginner-friendly:
Glosbe (Swedish–English)
Reverso (context examples)
Captionz (YouTube examples)
🔹 Intermediate:
Svenska.se (SAOL, SO, SAOB—all in one)

Ordböcker also lets you export your word history to Anki flashcards with just one click—super handy if you’re serious about remembering what you’ve learned.

If you haven’t tried Anki yet, it’s a fantastic app that helps you review words over time using spaced repetition (a fancy way of saying it reminds you just before you’re about to forget).

Honestly, Anki is my secret weapon for learning languages. I owe half my Swedish vocabulary to it—and now with Ordböcker, adding new words takes less effort.

Swedish verbs change differently, so I also wanted it to find the root form of words—not all dictionary tools can do that. Certainly Dictionariez is more focused on English, and don’t really prioritize Swedish. For example, when I look up the word fart, I want the Swedish meaning to show up first in Ordböcker.

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If you’re already using Dictionariez and mainly learning Swedish through English, I recommend switching to Ordböcker. It offers most of the same features but prioritizes Swedish over English.

My tip? Don’t take on too many new words at once—stay motivated, not overwhelmed.
Focus on words you actually see and hear often. It’s more useful to really know 10 common words than to half-remember 100 rare ones.

When you add words to Anki, keep the cards simple. Just the word, a short definition, maybe an example sentence. If a card feels like homework, you’ll end up skipping it.

Try to review a little bit every day. Even 5–10 minutes of Anki goes a long way—consistency really is the secret.

And remember, you don’t have to understand everything right away. Getting the general idea is already a win!

If you try out Ordböcker, I’d love to hear what you think. Got suggestions, ideas, or something that’s not working? Your feedback helps me make it better for everyone learning Swedish!

Download links Ordböcker on Chrome Ordböcker on Microsoft Edge Ordböcker on Firefox

Hi everyone! If you’ve been using Dictionariez, you probably know that I’ve been working on this project as a solo developer for quite some time now. Over the years, one of the most requested features has been PDF support. Many of you have reached out, asking for a way to use Dictionariez with PDFs—whether for reading eBooks, studying papers, or reviewing work documents.

I’m excited to share that the wait is finally over! I’ve built a PDF Reader Web Application that works seamlessly with Dictionariez. It’s lightweight, secure, and designed to make your reading experience as smooth as possible. And for language learners, this is a productive tool—especially if you’re studying books, academic papers, or other materials in PDF format.

What’s New?

Here’s what the new PDF Reader Web Application brings to the table:

Dictionariez Integration
Highlight words or phrases in your PDF and instantly look them up or translate them using Dictionariez. It works just like it does on web pages.

Drag-and-Drop Simplicity
You can drag and drop your PDF files into the app, and they’ll load instantly. No extra steps, no hassle.

Privacy First
Your files never leave your browser. Everything is processed locally, so you don’t have to worry about your data being uploaded to a server.

Integration with PNL Reader
If you’re already using PNL Reader, my browser extension that enhances the reading experience on any webpage, you’ll love this integration. When you open a PDF directly in your browser, you can click on the PNL Reader extension, and it will automatically redirect the PDF to the PDF Reader Web Application. This makes opening PDFs locally a more seamless experience.

Responsive Design
Whether you’re on a desktop, tablet, or phone, the app adapts to give you the best experience.

Advanced PDF Viewer
Powered by ngx-extended-pdf-viewer and PDF.js, the app supports zooming, text selection, and even searching within your PDFs.

Why This is Perfect for Language Learners

If you’re learning a new language, reading is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. But let’s face it—reading in a foreign language can be tough, especially when you’re constantly looking up words. That’s where this new feature shines.

Here’s why the PDF Reader Web Application is especially helpful for language learners:

Study Authentic Materials
Many language learners rely on textbooks or graded readers, but real-world materials like novels, academic papers, or even manuals are often in PDF format. Now, you can read these materials while using Dictionariez to look up unfamiliar words instantly.

Build Vocabulary Faster
Highlighting and translating words directly in the PDF saves time and keeps you focused. You can even create flashcards or notes from the words you look up.

Learn in Context
Seeing words in their natural context (like in a book or article) helps you understand how they’re used in sentences, making it easier to remember them.

Perfect for Students
If you’re a student studying in a foreign language, you probably deal with a lot of PDFs—textbooks, research papers, lecture notes, and more. This tool makes it easier to navigate those materials without constantly switching between apps.

Immersive Learning
By reading full texts in your target language, you’re immersing yourself in the language, which is one of the most effective ways to learn.

Language Learning Tips for Using the PDF Reader

Here are a few tips to get the most out of the PDF Reader Web Application as a language learner:

Start with Materials at Your Level
Choose PDFs that are slightly above your current level. This way, you’ll encounter new words without feeling overwhelmed.

Create a Vocabulary List
Use Dictionariez to look up unfamiliar words and write them down in a notebook or app. Review them regularly to reinforce your learning.

Focus on Context
Instead of translating every word, try to understand the meaning of sentences based on context. Use Dictionariez only for words or phrases that are critical to understanding the text.

Revisit Texts
After reading a PDF once, come back to it later. You’ll be surprised at how much more you understand the second time around.

Combine with Other Tools
Use the words you’ve learned in flashcard apps like Anki to reinforce your memory.

Set Goals
For example, aim to read one chapter of a book or one article per week. Setting small, achievable goals will keep you motivated.

How It Works

Using the PDF Reader Web Application is super straightforward:

Upload Your PDF
Drag and drop your file into the app, or click to select it from your device.

Start Reading
The PDF loads instantly, and you can scroll, zoom, and search through it.

Use Dictionariez
Highlight any word or phrase in the PDF to look it up or translate it, just like you would on a webpage.

Redirect PDFs with PNL Reader
If you open a PDF directly in your browser, just click on the PNL Reader extension, and it will redirect the PDF to the PDF Reader Web Application. No need to download the file or manually open the app—it’s all handled seamlessly.

Stay Secure
All file processing happens locally in your browser. Your data stays with you—always.

Why It Took Time

As a solo developer, I’ve always tried to prioritize features that matter most to you, the users. Adding PDF support wasn’t just about displaying files—it was about making sure the experience was smooth, secure, and worked seamlessly with Dictionariez and PNL Reader.

I wanted to get it right, and that meant taking the time to ensure:

Privacy: No file uploads, no servers—just local processing in your browser. Performance: Fast and responsive, even with large PDF files. Integration: A seamless experience with Dictionariez and PNL Reader, so you can use the tools you love without interruption. What’s Next?

This is just the beginning! Here are a few features I’m planning to add in the future:

Annotations: Highlight text, add notes, and mark up your PDFs. Bookmarks: Save your place in long documents for easy navigation. Dark Mode: A more comfortable reading experience for night-time use. Try It Out

The PDF Reader Web Application is live and ready for you to use. Click here to check it out! Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who loves reading, this tool is here to make your life easier.

Wrapping Up

As a solo developer, every feature I build is a labor of love, and this one is no exception. I’ve poured a lot of time and effort into making PDF support a reality because I know how much it means to so many of you.

If you’ve been waiting for this feature, give it a try and let me know what you think! Your feedback is what keeps me going, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I can make it even better.

Thank you for supporting Dictionariez and for being part of this journey. I’m excited to see how you’ll use the new PDF feature!

Spread the Word

If you love the new PDF feature, share it with your friends and colleagues. Every bit of support helps me continue improving Dictionariez for all of you.

Dear Netizens and Web Novel Enthusiasts,

I’m excited to announce that PNL Reader is finally here! After a week of development sprint, it just hits the first milestone, and I’m already using it to read a novel myself. It’s a browser extension designed to make your reading experience smoother, more enjoyable, and relaxing. Whether you're diving into articles, novels, or any other web content, PNL Reader has your back with its simple yet elegant features.

This all started from a thread discussing the frustration many face when looking for a no-nonsense, simple reader mode that also plays nice with Dictionariez and respects privacy. So, I decided to create my own solution. Keep in mind this is the first version, so please be patient if you encounter any bugs.

Here’s a quick rundown of the features based on my own experience as an novel reader online:

Key Features

Dictionariez Compatibility
Instantly look up any word on a webpage by simply clicking on it. PNL Reader is fully compatible with Dictionariez for seamless word lookup.

Privacy-First Approach
Your privacy is a priority. PNL Reader only requires the ActiveTab permission to enable reader mode on the current webpage you’re on, with no additional host permissions required.

Dark & Light Mode
Switch between dark and light modes depending on your preference, so you can reduce eye strain and read comfortably at any time of day.

Navigation Shortcuts
Easily navigate through your favorite web novel websites, like Scribble and RoyalRoad, using convenient keyboard shortcuts for next and previous pages.

Open Source
Full transparency is key. PNL Reader is open source, so it’s available for anyone to review, contribute to, or scrutinize as they wish.

Download Links

Chrome: PNL Reader on Chrome Web Store
Firefox: PNL Reader on Mozilla Add-ons
Edge: PNL Reader on Edge Web Store

Getting Started

To see PNL Reader in action, check out our introduction video.

Your Feedback Is Important!

I would love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and any issues you might encounter. Please reach out at the Programming N' Language Community.

As I am preparing for the second version of PNL Reader, here are a few specific areas where your feedback would be incredibly helpful:

Which websites would you like to use the reader mode on? What more themes (beyond just dark or light) would you like? Are there any additional features you’d like to see in the toolbar? In your opinion, what are the essential features every reader must have?

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to improving PNL Reader based on your valuable feedback!

A mini Spotify player.

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I know there are already quite a few Spotify players out there in the chrome web store. But none of them seems "right". Some of them manipulate the code in Spotify's web player, and some of them even rely on the desktop app of Spotify. But I'm just using the official Spotify API to play music at the background of Chrome. It's simple and useful.

Read the full article here:
Spotify on Chrome