Google Drive has introduced a new feature called "Audio overviews," which utilizes the Gemini AI to generate spoken summaries of lengthy PDF documents. This update is available on Drive for the web and aims to enhance accessibility for users in select paid Workspace and Google One tiers.
Release Timing and Scope
The new Audio overviews feature is being rolled out to select paid Workspace and Google One tiers, including Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Google One AI Premium, AI Ultra, and AI Ultra for Business. Rollout timing varies by Workspace domain type; Rapid Release domains are first in line, while Scheduled Release domains will start receiving it from 2025-11-12, with full rollout within 15 days.
Functionality and User Experience
An "Audio Overview" button in the Drive toolbar will allow users to process their files and generate short conversational audio summaries. These summaries, lasting between two to ten minutes, reflect the document's length and complexity. Users can play these summaries immediately in the Gemini side panel or access them later in an "Audio overviews" folder. An email notification alerts users when the summary is ready.
Google positions this feature as especially beneficial for multitasking and accessibility, though it is not intended to replace reading the full document. Currently, Audio overviews are available only in English.
