Google has added a new feature to its AI-powered notetaking tool NotebookLM. First introduced at Google I/O 2024, the Audio Overview feature now allows users to listen to their notes. With this update, virtual narrators will summarize the information or interesting topics from the materials shared by the users and will use metaphors to explain complex concepts.

Initially introduced as Project Tailwind during the Google I/O 2023 event, NotebookLM has undergone significant transformation. Released globally throughout the summer, the tool now integrates Google Slides and web URL support thanks to the multimodal capabilities of Gemini 1.5. NotebookLM has also enhanced verification pathways and now offers new features like instant working guides and briefing documents. The app is currently available in over 200 countries and supports more than 108 languages.
To use the Audio Overview feature, users can open an existing notebook and navigate to the Notebook guide, where they can click the “create” button on the right-hand side. Generating a voice summary takes around five minutes. As of now, the feature only supports English, but it allows users to download the audio and listen on the go. It’s worth noting that since this feature is still in beta, there may be some inaccuracies in the generated speech.