Google has begun rolling out the new audio recording feature within the Gemini Notebook app on Android and iOS platforms. This feature allows users to record audio clips and add them directly and seamlessly to their notebooks, enhancing AI capabilities in handling audio sources.
This feature can be accessed by clicking the microphone icon located in the Sources tab within a notebook, or through the app's home page, where clicking the icon there directly creates a new notebook. The feature works in version number 1.63.1002728510 of the app, and it appears to be widely available globally.
Why Does This Update Matter?
This update represents an attempt to integrate traditional productivity tools with generative AI capabilities in a single workspace. Instead of using separate recording applications and then manually uploading files, the process has become direct; the audio file is automatically uploaded to Google's servers as soon as recording is finished, with the transcription and a brief Source Guide appearing after just a few seconds. This integration is very useful in cases such as meetings, lectures, or study projects that require adding audio sources quickly to the research context.
Current Technical Limitations
Despite the intended benefits, the new feature faces sharp criticism when compared to the specialized Pixel Recorder app, as several technical flaws emerge:
- Total reliance on the internet: The feature does not support offline operation; if recording in offline mode, files remain stuck in an "uploading loop," and the user cannot listen to the recording or see the transcription until the cloud upload is complete.
- Time constraints: The recording duration is limited to only one hour, which represents an obstacle compared to other applications that allow recordings exceeding two hours.
- File management issues: A flaw has been noted in the deletion process, where audio files remain available in the (Recordings > Notebook) folder even after the associated notebook has been deleted from within the app.
Context of Recent Updates
This launch comes as part of a series of updates Google is making to the Gemini ecosystem; the Notebook service was recently made a Connected App within the Gemini chatbot, allowing direct access to and use of notebooks. Google also previously released an update that allows users to improve and edit slides and videos before they are generated by AI.