Spotify Takes on Google's NotebookLM with New AI-Powered Podcast App
Spotify is expanding its presence in the world of AI-powered audio tools with the release of a new standalone desktop app called Studio by Spotify Labs. This app aims to create a daily brief in text or audio format using AI-powered podcast generation, competing directly with Google's NotebookLM.
Spotify's AI-Powered Podcast Generation
Spotify's new app, Studio by Spotify Labs, allows users to explore a topic by creating a podcast about it. The app also adds personal context to the podcast generation tool, making it more personalized to the user's needs.
For instance, the tool can create a daily briefing or a podcast based on your email and schedule. Users can also make a multistep request like "Create a daily audio brief for my road trip through Italy. Walk me through my day using my calendar and bookings. Recommend a memorable dinner spot near where I'll be. And end with a podcast recommendation I'd love for the drive" to generate a podcast.
- All these AI-generated podcasts are saved in your Spotify library for personal consumption and are synced across devices.
- They are not available publicly.
Early Preview and Limitations
Spotify has warned that this is an early preview of the app, and AI can make mistakes and may output unreliable content all the time. The company is releasing this app in research preview to more than 20 markets, with select users who are 18 years or older.
Competing with Google's NotebookLM
Spotify's launch of the desktop app follows the company's recent debut of a command-line tool for users of coding tools like Claude Code or Codex to create personal podcasts and save them to their Spotify library. With the new Studio app and personal podcast feature, non-coders can now also take advantage of this offering.
- The launch is another example of how Spotify wants to be involved in all things audio.
- With its desktop app, Spotify could offer more integrations for creating podcasts in the future.
- Plus, it could use the new app to capture system audio to become a Granola-style notetaker.
Speculation and Future Development
While this is just speculation, we have seen startups like Rewind and Cluely become meeting-notetakers, so it could become another area of interest for the company further down the road.