Google’s NotebookLM software has added some great new features that primarily affect audio overview. For the uninitiated, the platform’s audio summaries tool uses AI to create audio summaries of your content. It started with written content but has since expanded to include YouTube videos.
So what’s new? Users can now enter specific instructions before generating a “Deep Dive” summary. Google provides examples of tasking software to focus on a single topic or tailoring its level of expertise to a specific audience. The company says this is like “giving the AI host a quick note right before the broadcast.”
There’s also a new background listening feature, which is exactly what it says. You can listen to an audio summary while doing other work within NotebookLM. Google says users can search for sources, retrieve citations, and explore related citations “without audio interruption.”
It’s also worth noting that the company has removed the “experimental” label for NotebookLM. Therefore, this experiment seems to have been a great success. In any case, the software was released to the public in December.
The company also announced future expansion plans, primarily for commercial use, called NotebookLM Business. This includes “enhanced features for businesses, universities, and organizations.” Businesses can apply now to get early access to the pilot program.
