Google has expanded its NotebookLM Plus service to individual subscribers, offering advanced features and higher usage limits through the Google One AI Premium tier. This development comes after the initial launch of NotebookLM in 2023, and its subsequent popularity following the release of the Audio Overviews feature in September last year. Audio Overviews allows users to create podcast-like audio conversations based on their uploaded content, enhancing user experience with innovative audio capabilities.
NotebookLM Plus, introduced in December after an early pilot phase, offers a comprehensive package for users seeking more from the platform. By subscribing to the Google One AI Premium tier at $20 a month, individuals gain access to all features, including Gemini Advanced, Gemini in Gmail, Docs, and 2TB of cloud storage. The service allows users to generate up to 500 chat queries, 20 audio generations per day, 500 notebooks, and 300 sources per notebook.
The decision to make NotebookLM Plus available to a broader audience reflects Google's commitment to meeting consumer demand, particularly among students. A 50% discount is available for students above 18 years in the U.S., providing the One AI Premium at a monthly rate of $9.99. This move is part of Google's strategy to cater to diverse user needs without compromising the quality of service for free users.
“We want folks to get an excellent experience on NotebookLM, whether they’re free or paid, and it’s very important to use that the NotebookLM free experience is excellent. So, we’re thinking more about how we offer even more to the Plus users versus degrading any experience for free users,”
In terms of technical capabilities, NotebookLM employs the latest Gemini models for optimal task performance. Despite the advanced features available to Plus users, the underlying model remains consistent across both premium and non-premium versions. Google plans to enhance Audio Overviews by introducing support for languages beyond English, reflecting its goal to provide a seamless and genuine experience across linguistic boundaries.
“We are thinking about how to prioritize the languages and then, most importantly, how to make sure that they feel really genuine and just as seamless and natural as our current Audio Overviews do,”
In addition to expanding its user base, Google is working on a mobile version of NotebookLM. The dedicated app aims to replicate the desktop experience while tailoring it for common mobile use cases. This initiative underscores Google's ambition to make NotebookLM accessible across various platforms.
“We want mobile to feel in many ways similar to the desktop experience but also really tailor it for the use cases that are most common for mobile,”
Despite its growing popularity, Google has not disclosed specific user numbers or team size for NotebookLM. However, recent metrics reveal that the service received 28.18 million visits over the past three months, with nearly 9 million occurring in January alone. This substantial engagement indicates strong user interest and underscores the platform's success since its inception.
“We’ve always wanted to get NotebookLM Plus out to enterprises and consumers, and have seen really a ton of interest from consumers, and in particular students from the beginning,”
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