Auditory input preference for learning is a very real thing, and that is one of the main reasons why Google’s NotebookLM-powered Audio Overviews have slowly become a game-changer for absorbing complex information.
However, there are times when you don’t necessarily want or need a document summarized or turned into a podcast-like discussion to be able to hear it. For those moments, Google wants you to use Google Docs instead of third-party tools.
The Mountain View, California-based tech giant is beginning to roll out a text-to-speech model that’ll be able to create audio versions of your Google Docs. The Gemini-powered model will offer a variety of voices and playback speeds to give you some room for customization.
The new model has a little something for both authors and readers.
For readers
You’ll be able to head to Google Docs’ Tools to access the new Audio feature, allowing you to quickly listen to the contents of the current tab.
For authors
Authors have the freedom to pre-add audio buttons to their Google Docs work, essentially letting users listen to tabs without them having to first generate an audio version manually. Authors will be able to add relevant chips by heading to Insert → Audio buttons → Listen to tab. “Once added to the document, authors can change the label, color, and size of the button,” wrote the tech giant.
For now, the feature is limited to documents in English on desktop. Google didn’t say if and when it will extend support to more languages and surfaces.
The feature began rolling out yesterday and is expected to be widely available by the end of the month across Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Standard Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Standard Plus accounts. Additionally, customers with Gemini Education, Gemini Education Premium add-on, Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise add-on, and Google AI Pro and Ultra plans will also gain access to the feature.
