TL;DR
Leaked interface images show Google testing a new "Lecture" format for NotebookLM's Audio Overviews, offering configurable lengths and a language selector. The leak says a "Long" lecture runs about 30 minutes with a single host; timeline, wider language support and availability remain unconfirmed.
What happened
According to a leak shared by TestingCatalog, Google is developing a new "Lecture" format for NotebookLM's existing Audio Overviews feature. The interface shown in the leak places the Lecture option alongside existing modes such as Deep Dive, Brief, Critique and Debate. After a user adds source material, they can choose the Lecture format and pick a duration — the UI appears to offer Short, Default and Long choices. The leaker reports a Long lecture would be roughly 30 minutes and would be presented by a single host. The leaked screens also include a language selector for the Lecture format, though the number of supported languages was not revealed. No official announcement or release schedule has been shared, and the leak does not confirm whether the feature will be restricted to a paid tier or broadly available.
Why it matters
- Longer, structured audio summaries could make NotebookLM more useful for study and review workflows.
- An AI-generated lecture mode expands NotebookLM beyond short summaries and critiques into longer-form audio content.
- Language selection hints at broader accessibility, but unclear support could limit usefulness for non-English users.
- If rolled out widely, the feature could change how users consume research or notes by favoring audio learning formats.
Key facts
- TestingCatalog first reported the presence of a "Lecture" format in NotebookLM's Audio Overviews.
- The Lecture option appears alongside Deep Dive, Brief, Critique and Debate modes.
- Users would be able to choose between Short, Default and Long durations when selecting Lecture.
- The leaker states a Long lecture lasts about 30 minutes and is delivered by a single host.
- A language selector is visible in the leaked Lecture UI, but supported languages are not detailed.
- No official timeline or rollout date was provided in the leak.
- The leak does not confirm whether Lecture will be available to all users or limited to NotebookLM Ultra-tier.
- NotebookLM receives frequent feature updates from Google despite modest download figures compared with other Google apps.
What to watch next
- Official confirmation and launch date from Google (not confirmed in the source).
- Exact runtimes for Short and Default lecture lengths (not confirmed in the source).
- List of languages supported by the Lecture format (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether the Lecture feature will be limited to a paid tier such as NotebookLM Ultra (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- NotebookLM: A Google application that helps users interact with and summarize documents and notes using AI-powered features.
- Audio Overviews: An audio feature in NotebookLM that generates spoken summaries or perspectives on provided source material.
- AI-generated lecture: A synthetic, spoken presentation produced by an AI model intended to explain or teach a topic at length.
- Leaker: An individual or account that shares unreleased product information or screenshots ahead of official announcements.
Reader FAQ
What is the new Lecture format?
A reported Audio Overviews mode that generates a comprehensive AI-produced lecture on provided source material.
How long are lectures?
The leak indicates a Long lecture is about 30 minutes; durations for Short and Default were not specified.
When will this feature be released?
Not confirmed in the source.
Will Lecture be available to all NotebookLM users?
Not confirmed in the source.
NotebookLM wants to take one of its best features to the next level Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police | MohammadKam / Shutterstock By Rahul Naskar Published 12 hours ago Rahul Naskar…
Sources
- NotebookLM wants to take one of its best features to the next level
- NotebookLM now lets you listen to a conversation about …
- AI Research Tool & Thinking Partner – Google NotebookLM
- Use NotebookLM to generate Audio Overviews more than …
Related posts
- 6 hidden Google Docs features you didn’t know could save hours
- Tested: Google Maps Power Saving Mode reduced battery use on long drives
- Why I Trust Samsung Internet With My Passwords More Than Chrome