Google has announced a series of updates across its products, integrating a new AI image generation model, “Nano Banana,” to enhance user interaction with information and visuals. The updates primarily focus on NotebookLM, Google Search, and Discover, aiming to make complex information more accessible and to introduce advanced creative tools.
NotebookLM receives upgraded “Video Overviews” powered by Nano Banana
NotebookLM, a tool designed to help users understand dense documents, is receiving a major upgrade to its “Video Overviews” feature. This function transforms uploaded notes and sources into narrated videos.
The integration of the Nano Banana model, which is part of the Gemini 2.5 Flash family, introduces six new visual styles for these videos: Watercolor, Papercraft, Anime, Whiteboard, Retro Print, and Heritage. The model generates contextual illustrations based on the source material provided by the user.
In addition to the new visual styles, NotebookLM now offers two distinct video formats:
- Explainer: A detailed, structured video designed for in-depth comprehension of the source documents.
- Brief: A new, shorter format that provides a quick summary of the core ideas within the material.
Users can create a video by selecting their sources and clicking the “Video Overview” button. Customization options are available, allowing users to select a format and visual style, or to provide specific prompts such as, “Focus only on the cost analysis sections of the business plan.”
The new Video Overviews are rolling out to Pro users this week and will be available to all users in the coming weeks in all supported languages.
AI-Powered Features Added to Search and Discover
Google is also introducing new AI-driven features to its Search and Discover platforms.
In Discover, an upgraded AI feature will provide users with brief previews of trending topics. These previews can be expanded for more information and include links to external content from various publishers. This feature is currently available in the United States, South Korea, and India.
For sports-related queries in Search, a “What’s new” button will soon appear on mobile devices when looking up players or teams. This will open a feed of trending updates and articles. The feature is scheduled to begin its rollout in the U.S. in the coming weeks.
Nano Banana Integration Extends to Google Lens
The Nano Banana model is also being integrated into Google Search through Google Lens, enabling users to perform advanced image editing. Users can access this functionality via a new “Create mode” in the Lens feature of the Google app for Android and iOS.
This allows for the transformation of existing photos through text prompts or the creation of entirely new images from scratch. The AI can also process follow-up requests, such as providing styling ideas or information on where to purchase items similar to those generated in an image.
Image editing in Lens and its AI Mode has started rolling out in English in the U.S. and India, with plans for expansion to more countries and languages. Google also stated that Nano Banana will be integrated into Google Photos in the upcoming weeks.