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Google’s NotebookLM Audio Overviews Now Allows Users to Call In and Ask Questions
In a significant update, Google has announced that its AI-powered notebook tool, NotebookLM, is now introducing an interactive feature that enables users to engage with the generated podcast content. The new “Interactive mode” (BETA) allows users to play back the audio recording and join in on the conversation by asking questions.
Upon completing an Audio Overview based on uploaded sources, users will be able to click a button to initiate a live Q&A session with the AI hosts. This innovative feature is still considered experimental, but early tests suggest that it can seamlessly integrate user-generated queries into the ongoing narrative.
While Google warns that the hosts may pause awkwardly or introduce inaccuracies while answering questions, our own testing found that the implementation worked smoothly, albeit at a slightly slower pace than usual. The addition of this feature is expected to enhance the overall user experience and foster a sense of community among users.
In conjunction with this new interactive capability, NotebookLM has also undergone a visual redesign. The revamped interface now features three distinct panels: “Studio” for hosting AI-generated content, “Chat” for submitting questions to Google’s AI, and “Sources” for managing uploaded materials. This streamlined setup aims to maintain a clean and organized environment.
Furthermore, Google is taking NotebookLM one step further by introducing its first premium subscription model, NotebookLM Plus. This add-on will be available exclusively to Google Workspace and Cloud customers as part of the Gemini add-on, offering extended capabilities such as increased daily Audio Overview generation limits, expanded AI notebook creation capacity, and enhanced source management.
The NotebookLM Plus subscription will be priced at an additional $20 per user per month for Workspace subscribers. In a future update, these premium benefits will also be integrated into the Google One AI Premium subscription.
NotebookLM has gained popularity due to its versatility in accommodating various content formats, from web articles to YouTube videos. The success of its Audio Overviews feature has been particularly notable, and this latest innovation is expected to further propel the tool’s growth.
For more information on Google’s NotebookLM updates and NotebookLM Plus subscription, please visit their official website or stay tuned for future announcements.
Source: http://www.engadget.com
