Spotify Unveils New App to Rival Google’s NotebookLM

A notable trend that businesses are increasingly embracing in the AI landscape is the integration of services like email, calendar, documents, and notes to deliver users a daily summary in text or audio form. Spotify is stepping into this arena with the launch of a new standalone desktop application called Studio by Spotify Labs, specifically designed for this purpose.

Recently, the company unveiled a feature that allows users to explore topics by creating podcasts about them. To enrich the podcast creation experience, Spotify is introducing personal context. Furthermore, as companies inevitably seek to integrate agents into their applications by 2026, the new Studio app features an agent capable of web browsing and gathering personal information to create customized podcasts.

For instance, the tool can produce a daily briefing or a podcast based on your emails and appointments. Users can even make multi-step requests like, “Generate a daily audio summary for my road trip through Italy. Guide me through my day using my calendar and reservations. Recommend a notable dining spot nearby. Conclude with a podcast suggestion for the drive,” to create tailored podcasts.

All AI-generated podcasts will be saved in your Spotify library for personal use and synchronized across devices. These podcasts will remain private and not be shared publicly.

Spotify acknowledges that this is an initial preview of the app, and that AI systems can make mistakes, possibly resulting in unpredictable content at times.

The app is being launched in a research preview in over 20 markets and will be available to selected users aged 18 and up.

This tool is set to compete with Google’s NotebookLM, which has been evolving podcast generation based on selected source material for several years. In true Google fashion, they have also released a distinct feature for generating a daily podcast based on the Discover feed. Following that, companies such as Adobe and ElevenLabs, along with apps like Hero and Huxe, have adopted podcast creation models for exploring topics or providing daily summaries.

Spotify’s launch of this desktop application follows its recent introduction of a command-line tool designed for users of coding platforms like Claude Code or Codex, enabling them to create personal podcasts and store them in their Spotify library. Now, with the new Studio app and personal podcast feature, non-coders can also take advantage of this offering.

This rollout showcases Spotify’s intent to delve deeper into the audio landscape. With its desktop app, Spotify may offer additional integrations for podcast creation in the future. Moreover, it could utilize the new app to capture system audio, evolving into a Granola-like note-taking solution. While this is speculative, we have witnessed startups such as Rewind and Cluely emerge as meeting notetakers, hinting at a potential venture for the company down the road.