Google Upgrades NotebookLM Video Overviews with Nano Banana Visuals and Brief Format

Google upgrades NotebookLM with Nano Banana powered visuals for Video Overviews and introduces new Brief format for quick summaries. Six visual styles now available including Watercolor and Anime.

Key Highlights:

• NotebookLM Video Overviews now feature AI-generated visuals powered by Gemini’s Nano Banana image model
• Six new visual styles available: Watercolor, Papercraft, Anime, Whiteboard, Retro Print, and Heritage
• New Brief format provides quick summaries alongside existing Explainer format
• Update rolling out to Pro users first, then all users in coming weeks
• Over 5 billion images already generated using Nano Banana since launch

NotebookLM Gets Major Visual Upgrade with Nano Banana Integration

Google rolled out a significant upgrade to NotebookLM’s Video Overviews feature today, integrating Gemini’s latest image generation model known as Nano Banana. The update transforms how users consume and understand dense documents by adding contextual, beautiful illustrations that make information more memorable.

Video Overviews, which instantly convert notes and documents into narrated videos, now automatically apply one of six new visual styles. Users can choose between Watercolor, Papercraft, Anime, Whiteboard, Retro Print, and Heritage, with a Classic option remaining available for those who prefer the original style.

New Brief Format Speeds Up Content Consumption

Alongside the visual enhancements, Google introduced a new Brief format designed for users who need quick insights without deep exploration. This joins the existing Explainer format, giving users two distinct options based on their time constraints and learning needs.

The Brief format delivers bite-sized overviews that help users quickly grasp core ideas from uploaded sources. Meanwhile, the Explainer format maintains its structured, comprehensive approach that connects concepts across multiple documents.

How Nano Banana Enhances Learning Experience

Nano Banana generates helpful illustrations based specifically on the sources users upload to NotebookLM. The AI model analyzes document content and creates relevant visual representations that complement the narration, helping users understand and retain information more effectively.

To customize their Video Overview, users simply select their sources, click the Video Overview button, then choose the pencil icon to access format and style options. Users can also add custom prompts like “Focus only on the cost analysis sections” or “Convert these recipes into an easy-to-follow video.”

Rollout Timeline and Availability

The enhanced Video Overviews with Nano Banana visuals started rolling out to NotebookLM Pro users this week across all supported languages. Free tier users will gain access in the upcoming weeks, Google announced.

Since launching in August, Nano Banana has generated over 5 billion images in the Gemini app. The model is also expanding to Google Search via Lens and will arrive in Google Photos in the weeks ahead, bringing advanced AI image editing capabilities to more Google products where users already create and explore with visuals.