Google is experimenting with a new AI feature called “Daily Listen,” which allows users to listen to 5-minute audio summaries of news and stories based on their interests.
According to reports, the 5-minute AI-generated audio will be tailored to a user’s feed and the topics they’ve previously searched on their mobile devices. The AI-powered Daily Listen feature will also provide a transcript of the audio along with a cover art review.
This feature is available in the U.S. for both Android and iOS users. To activate it, users need to click on the triangular-shaped icon in the top-left corner of the Google app, then navigate to the “Search Labs” section. After enabling the feature, users will see a “Daily Listen” card with the “Med Fario” label in the carousel under the Google search bar.
Clicking on this card opens a full-screen player, allowing users to provide feedback with thumbs up or thumbs down. The feature also lets users control the audio playback with options to play, pause, rewind, or mute.
It’s important to note that Google introduced the “Audio Overviews” feature for “NotebookLM” last September, which uses AI to turn documents into 10-minute podcasts. In this feature, AI hosts summarize content, make connections between topics, and even engage in light banter.
Recently, Google enhanced this feature by allowing users to interact with AI hosts in a conversation and “call in” during podcasts for further clarification or additional information. According to Google, this feature functions like a teacher or guide, listening carefully to the user’s input and providing direct responses based on available sources.
