NotebookLM Fused Into Google’s Search

One of Google’s coolest tricks right into searches and it is the most intelligent feature that you hardly use is NotebookLM. It was its Audio Overviews function that initially garnered attention, not its research prowess. It transforms your source material into podcast-style summaries that sound like actual people speaking, not just machines reading a script, rather than just spouting information at you. Google is now testing these AI-powered audio summaries directly on the mobile search homepage after they first appeared in the Gemini app and Discover’s Daily Listen.

Google announced in a blog post that Audio Overviews will use its most recent Gemini models to provide a new, hands-free method of information intake. From a previous post on TechBooky, it is now a US-exclusive Search Labs experiment that only functions in English. A “Generate Audio Overview” button will appear during searches once it is enabled. When you hit it, a neat little audio player with volume, speed, and play/pause controls appears.

Google claims that depending on whether it believes your search truly requires an audio overview, the option to create one won’t always appear. The strange thing is that the button is somewhat hidden. The AI Overview, advertisements, a plethora of standard links (many from Reddit), and even the entire “People also ask” section are all stashed away well down the results page. Therefore, don’t anticipate it to be the main focus.

Creating an Audio Overview can take up to 40 seconds, according to the blog post, as it gathers data, constructs the voice, and puts everything together. It will take much longer if your search is extremely specialized or somewhat complicated.

Similar to NotebookLM and Gemini, this version features two AI-generated “hosts” who discuss your subject in an engaging, back-and-forth manner. Additionally, Google provides additional openness by providing direct links to some of the sources utilized just beneath the audio player for those who prefer to double-check the specifics.

Google is pushing Search toward a future that is more voice-first and semi-hands-free with this experiment. More significantly, individuals who are visually impaired will benefit greatly. But for the time being, consider this a cool bonus feature rather than a way to bypass the entire narrative. It’s more of a teaser than a reliable takeaway until Google perfects the precision.