Google is preparing to add new features to NotebookLM, its AI-powered research and learning tool. According to leaked information and official hints, the platform may soon introduce a “Lecture” mode that can create long, 30-minute audio explanations, along with new voice accents for its audio summaries.
These updates suggest Google wants to make NotebookLM more useful for students, researchers, and deep learning.
New “Lecture” Mode Explained
NotebookLM is currently popular for its Audio Overviews, which sound like a podcast with two AI voices discussing a topic. The upcoming Lecture mode will work differently.
Instead of a conversation between two voices, Lecture mode will:
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Use a single AI voice
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Turn uploaded documents into a structured, classroom-style explanation
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Generate audio content up to 30 minutes long
This makes it suitable for studying research papers, textbooks, reports, or long PDFs, where users want clear explanations without casual conversation.
Focus on Learning, Not Entertainment
Unlike the existing podcast-style modes like “Deep Dive” or “Debate,” the Lecture mode is designed to be direct and educational. The goal is to explain concepts clearly and connect ideas from multiple sources, similar to a university lecture or audiobook.
This shift shows Google is targeting users who prefer information-rich content over conversational storytelling.
British Accent and More Voice Options Coming
Google has also officially teased new voice options for NotebookLM. In a recent post, the company hinted at adding a British English accent to Audio Overviews.
At the moment, NotebookLM supports multiple languages but offers limited control over accents. The British accent could be the first step toward more voice customisation, allowing users to choose how their AI-generated audio sounds.
Voice personalisation is becoming increasingly important, as other AI platforms already offer multiple voice styles.
NotebookLM Is Evolving Rapidly
These upcoming features follow a series of fast updates to NotebookLM. In recent months, Google has added:
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Improved AI reasoning with Gemini 3 Pro
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Image understanding
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Custom video overview styles
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Expanded chat history
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Data Tables, which turn numbers in PDFs into organised tables automatically
The speed of these updates suggests NotebookLM is no longer an experiment, but a key part of Google’s AI strategy.
Why This Matters
With the new Lecture mode, NotebookLM moves closer to becoming a personal AI tutor. Users could turn any document into a long-form lecture, making studying easier without reading entire files.
The option to choose different voices also improves accessibility and comfort, especially for users who listen to content for long periods.
Together, these changes make NotebookLM more useful for education, research, and professional learning.
What’s Next?
Google has not announced an official launch date for Lecture mode or the new accent options. However, leaked code suggests the features are already being tested and could roll out soon through a server-side update.
Once released, these options are expected to appear in the Audio Overviews settings inside NotebookLM.
