What you need to know
- Google detailed a Gemini update headed for Docs, which adds “audio summaries” for user documents.
- Audio Summaries are intended to remain “under a few minutes” and will help users catch up without having to read lengthy text.
- Users will be given a media player to adjust the AI’s speaking style, playback speed, and more, and it’s all coming to Google AI Pro and Ultra users.
Google is rolling out a late update this week for Docs, which brings a little Gemini magic that takes a page out of NotebookLM.
In a Workspace post, the company highlighted an update rolling out for Google Docs that brings “Audio Summaries” to the user experience (via 9to5Google). Soon, users will notice a new “Audio” option when opening the “Tools” menu in Docs. This option will offer the choice to “listen to tab” or “to document summary.” Google explains further, stating Audio Summaries lets users “listen to a brief overview of your document.”
Google intends for these summaries to be kept quite brief. Its changelog states this AI feature will try to keep its synopses “under a few minutes long.” Gemini will also attempt to use a “natural speaking style” to help users understand and catch up onthe document’s contents.
When listening to a document’s briefing, users will notice a media player appear on their page. Users can quickly pause and play the briefing, alongside the option to alter its playback speed. If you’re low on time, you can easily ramp up Gemini’s talking voice. Moreover, Google says users can alter the voice’s style by selecting from “narrator, persuader, coach, and more.”
This feature is beginning to roll out for users as of this week, and should take roughly 15 days to complete. However, it seems this feature’s availability will be restricted to Google AI Pro and Ultra, Google AI Pro for Education add-on, Google AI Ultra for Business add-on, Enterprise Standard and Plus, as well as Business Standard and Plus users.
Gemini for your Docs
Google rolled out a couple of meaningful updates for Docs through Gemini, such as one that brought pure AI assistance. In short, Gemini’s involvement last year brought in summaries, answers to questions, and more. When it comes to long documents, Google said Gemini could help users “get the gist of it” through its summaries. The AI’s “understanding” capabilities (at the time) were credited with helping users with the various tasks and requests they might have for it.
More than that, Gemini can also lend a hand in creating a quick rough draft to get things down on paper for a later time.
There was a ton more for Google’s Workspace, which brought Gemini in at full force across the board to help workers streamline their work.
Android Central’s Take
This update makes me think of NotebookLM. It’s a useful tool; being able to listen in on a document’s contents rather than tiring yourself out reading lengthy text is a worthy addition. One thing to always remain conscious about, especially whenever I see something like this, is that this is an AI feature. Gemini can make mistakes. It’s made mistakes in the past in various areas for Google, so there’s no reason not to take a gander through that document when it’s done.
