Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Google enhances NotebookLM’s audio summarization features

POSTED ON October 18, 2024 •   Technology      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
NOTEBOOKLM l Credit: primotech

Google has rolled out an update to its AI-powered note-taking and research assistant, NotebookLM, introducing new customization options for its audio summarization feature.

This enhancement allows users to guide conversations toward specific topics rather than receiving generic audio summaries.

Launched just last month, NotebookLM’s audio Overviews have gained traction, enabling users to easily digest lengthy documents or videos through AI-generated conversations. The feature has proven popular on social media, with users sharing audio summaries derived from personal journals and other content.

While Google hasn’t disclosed specific user statistics, website traffic analytics from SimilarWeb indicate that NotebookLM’s monthly visits surged by over 371% in September, reaching 3.07 million, up from 652,181 the previous month.

Previously, the audio Overviews were generated automatically, sometimes covering less relevant content. The latest update introduces a “Customize” control that allows users to instruct the AI on which topics to emphasize.

NotebookLM’s product leader, Raiza Martin, explained that this enhancement enables users to provide direction to the AI, making the audio conversations more relevant to their needs.

Martin noted that user feedback was crucial in shaping this update. “The number one feature that emerged was the desire for users to give the AI a little nudge,” she stated. The customization options may also help mitigate instances of AI-generated inaccuracies, known as hallucinations.

Importantly, Martin clarified that user input will not be used to train the AI model. “In general, we do not train on user data,” she emphasized, while encouraging users to share their experiences.

In addition to customization, NotebookLM now features background listening for audio Overviews, allowing users to continue working while the audio plays.

Initially introduced at Google’s I/O developer conference last year, NotebookLM became publicly accessible in December and expanded to over 200 countries, including India and the U.K., in June. It has attracted over 80,000 organizations, prompting Google to launch a NotebookLM Business pilot program that offers early access to features and training for businesses.

While specific pricing details for the Business version are forthcoming, Martin indicated that Google is eager to gather feedback from organizations on desired features.

Currently, NotebookLM receives approximately 4.17 million monthly visits, with a split of 2.5 million from desktops and 1.6 million from mobile devices. Although there is no dedicated mobile app yet, Martin confirmed that the team is exploring a native mobile experience and additional enhancements for audio Overviews, including new voices and languages.

NotebookLM recently expanded its capabilities to include summarizing YouTube videos and audio files, along with existing sources like Google Drive and PDFs. Martin highlighted that PDFs and YouTube videos are the most frequently used sources among users.

READ ALSO
Tanzania,  Nigeria Lead Africa in Rising Fraud Rates- Report
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Tanzania and Nigeria have emerged as the leading countries in Africa for higher fraud rates, accordi...

READ ALSO
OpenAI Secures $200m Contract with US Department of Defense
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 17, 2025 0

The US Department of Defense on Monday awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to utilize generative...

READ ALSO
60,000 Nigerians Abroad Register on Diaspora Data Mapping Portal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

Approximately 60,000 Nigerians residing overseas have registered on the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal...

READ ALSO
Federal Ministry Unveils Digital Village to Bridge Digital Divide in Abuja Community
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched a Digital Villag...

READ ALSO
FG Unveils Project CNG-SPROUT to Revolutionize Campus Transport with Clean Energy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The federal government has launched a transportation initiative called "Project CNG-SPROUT," designe...

READ ALSO
Agro Alliance Takes Top Honors at Hack4Livestock with IoT Solution for Cattle Intrusions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Ministry of Livestock Development has announced its intention to empower 1,000...

READ ALSO
INEC Launches AI Division to Enhance Electoral Processes, Address Challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 23, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sanctioned the establishme...

READ ALSO
Legal Obligations Remain Despite Threats to Exit Nigeria, FCCPC Rebukes Meta Platforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 3, 2025 0

The Federal Government, through its Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has crit...

OUR CHANNELS:

Nigeria's Gemstone Potential: A Deep Dive into 10 Rare Minerals and Their Regions of Origin
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

Nigeria is making waves with a revolutionary $400 million Foreign Direct Investment dedicated to cre...


IPMAN Links Rising Petrol Prices to Crude Oil Costs and Market Dynamics
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Associati...


EFCC Charges Businessman, Company with $75,000 Fraud
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

A businessman, Peter Otomewu, along with his company, Pebeto Enerji Limited, was brought before the...


Osimhen Willing to Join Manchester United for Under £200,000 a Week
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

Victor Osimhen is reportedly willing to accept a weekly wage of just under £200,000 at Manches...


Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire Deal, Tehran Denies Formal Agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a “comple...


French Police Arrest 12 over Alleged Drugging of Women at Music Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

French police have arrested 12 individuals suspected of drugging female festivalgoers during the ann...


NATO Warns Iran Against Nuclear Weapon Development Amid Rising Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a renewed effort to curb escalating violence in the Middle East, the North Atlantic Treaty Organi...


Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...


Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...


Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu