I lately revisited Google’s NotebookLM and was impressed with how far it is come. It was already good earlier than, however latest updates have hooked me in, and I’ll hold coming again. Powered by Google’s Gemini AI, it will possibly break down complicated topics into an easy-to-understand format and even aid you brainstorm new concepts. If you are a chaotic notetaker like me, even higher: NotebookLM will aid you make sense of your nonsense.This is not simply Google Keep full of AI, neither is it only a chatbot that may take notes. It’s each and neither. Instead of asking inquiries to Gemini, just for it to seek out a solution from the ether of the web, NotebookLM will solely search by way of the sources that you simply present it. It’s a lifeless easy idea that appears like some of the sensible makes use of of AI, giving method to the proper examine buddy for lessons or work. And Google did not cease there. Now it will possibly achieve this far more, and can reward your poking round to see what it will possibly do for you. And options like its spectacular Audio Overviews have since trickled down into Gemini itself, permitting it for use in a a lot wider set of Google’s merchandise. With Google I/O 2025 simply across the nook, we would not be stunned if much more options had been added. Below, we’ll cowl a few of NotebookLM’s most fascinating options and use circumstances that can assist you get began. For extra, do not miss our hands-on with Gemini Live’s digital camera mode: AI with eyes.What is NotebookLM?NotebookLM is a Gemini-powered note-taking and analysis assistant software that can be utilized in a large number of the way. It all begins with the sources you feed it, whether or not they’re webpage URLs, YouTube movies or audio clips, permitting you to drag a number of sources collectively right into a cohesive package deal and produce some group to your scattered ideas or notes. The most blatant use case for NotebookLM is utilizing it for varsity or work. Think of it — you have stored up with numerous lessons and typed notes down for each one and even maybe recorded some lectures. Sifting by way of every part individually can ultimately get you to some semblance of understanding, however what when you might get them to work collectively? Once you have uploaded your sources, Gemini will get to work to create an general abstract of the fabric. From there, you’ll be able to start asking Gemini questions on particular subjects on the sources and knowledge from the sources shall be displayed in an easy-to-understand format. This alone could also be sufficient for some individuals simply trying to get probably the most out of their notes, however that is actually simply scratching the floor.Available for desktop and cellular NotebookLM’s three panel format NotebookLM/Screenshot by Blake StimacNotebookLM has been out there for some time now on the desktop, however as of Monday, it is also out there as an iOS and Android app, so now you can entry your entire notebooks in your telephone with out having to make use of a cellular browser.Broken right into a three-pane format, NotebookLM consists of Source, Chat and Studio panels. Both the Source and Studio panels are collapsible, so you’ll be able to have a full-screen chat expertise when you desire. While the Source and Chat panels are fairly self-explanatory, the Studio panel is the place magic can occur (although a few of the options will also be created instantly from the Chat panel). This is the place you may get probably the most out of your NotebookLM expertise. Read on for some highlights of what you are able to do. The cellular app for Android and iOS launched the day earlier than Google I/O 2025. Blake Stimac/CNETThose accustomed to the desktop expertise will really feel proper at dwelling with the brand new cellular apps. The streamlined app will let you swap between the Source, Chat and Studio panels by way of a menu on the backside. When you go to the view that reveals your entire notebooks, you may see tabs for Recent, Shared, Title, and Downloaded. Upon testing the app, I could not discover a method to share a pocket book, however it’s greater than doubtless one thing we’ll hear about quickly. More on that beneath.Audio OverviewsIf you did not hear about NotebookLM when it was first introduced, you doubtless did when Audio Overviews had been launched for it. Once you’ve gotten at the least one supply uploaded, you’ll be able to then choose to generate an Audio Overview, which is able to present a “deep dive” on the supply materials. These overviews are created by none apart from Gemini, and it isn’t only a fast abstract of your materials in audio format — it is a full-blown podcast with two “hosts” that break down complicated subjects into easy-to-understand items of knowledge. They’re extremely efficient, too, usually asking one another inquiries to dismantle sure subjects. The size of an Audio Overview will fluctuate relying on how a lot materials there’s to go over and the complexity of the subject — although I’m certain there are different elements at play. In my testing, a really quick piece of textual content created a five-minute audio clip, whereas two lengthier and extra dense Google Docs paperwork I uploaded created an 18-minute Overview. You can work together along with your AI podcastersIt will get even higher. Last December, NotebookLM received a brand new design and new methods to work together with Audio Overviews. The customise button permits you to information the dialog in order that key factors are coated. Type in your directive after which generate your Audio Overview. Now, if you wish to make this characteristic much more interactive, you’ll be able to select the Interactive mode, which continues to be in beta, to hitch the dialog. The clip will play, and in case you have a selected query in response to one thing that is stated, you’ll be able to click on the be a part of button. Once you do, the audio system will pause and acknowledge your presence and ask you to chime in with ideas or questions, and you will get a reply. I needed to strive one thing a bit of completely different, so I threw within the lyrics of a track as the one supply, and the AI podcast duo started to dismantle the motivations and feelings behind the phrases. I used the be a part of characteristic to level out a element within the lyrics they did not contact on, and the 2 started to dissect what my suggestion meant within the context of the writing. They then started linking the theme to different parts of the textual content. It was spectacular to look at: They dealt with the emotional weight of the track so properly, and tactfully at that. Mind Maps Generating a Mind Map is only one of a number of highly effective options from NotebookLM Google/Screenshot by Blake StimacI would heard fascinating issues about NotebookLM’s Mind Map characteristic, however I needed to go in blind after I tried it out, so I did a separate take a look at. I took roughly 1,500 phrases of Homer’s Odyssey and made that my solely supply. I then clicked the Mind Map button, and inside seconds, an interactive and categorical breakdown of the textual content was displayed for me to poke round in. Many of the broken-down sections had subsections for deeper dives, a few of which had been devoted to single traces for dissection. Clicking on a class or end-point of the map will open the chat with a prefilled immediate. I selected to dive into the road, “now without remedy,” and as soon as clicked, the chat portion of NotebookLM reopened with the prefilled immediate, “Discuss what these sources say about Now without remedy, in the larger context of [the subsection] Alternative (worse).” The full line was displayed, together with who stated it, what it was in response to and any motivations (or different references) for why the road was stated within the textual content. Study guides and extra If the mix of all that Audio Overviews and Mind Maps might do seems like every part a scholar may want for the proper examine buddy, NotebookLM has a number of different options that can solidify it in that place. Study guidesAfter you have uploaded a supply, you’ll be able to create a fast examine information based mostly on the fabric that can mechanically present a doc with a quiz, potential essay questions, a glossary of key phrases and solutions for the quiz on the backside. And if you need, you’ll be able to even convert the examine information right into a supply on your pocket book.FAQsWhether you are utilizing it for varsity or need to create a FAQ web page on your web site, the NotebookLM button generates a collection of doubtless frequent questions based mostly in your sources. TimelineIf you are in search of a play-by-play kind of timeline, it is constructed proper in. Creating a timeline for the Odyssey excerpt broke down important occasions in a bulleted record and positioned them based mostly on the occasions talked about within the materials. If an occasion takes place at an unspecified time, it should seem on the high of the timeline, stating this. A solid of characters for reference can be generated beneath the timeline of occasions. Briefing docThe briefing doc is simply what it seems like, providing you with a fast snapshot of the important thing themes and necessary occasions to get somebody up to the mark. This will embody particular quotes from the supply and their location. A abstract of the fabric can be created on the backside of the doc. How NotebookLM actually ‘bought’ meI already actually appreciated NotebookLM’s idea and execution throughout its 1.0 days, and revisiting the brand new options solely strengthened my appreciation for it. My testing was largely for enjoyable and to see how this software can flex, however utilizing it after I “needed” it helped me actually get an concept of how highly effective it may be, even for easy issues. During a product briefing, I did my typical note-taking: Open a Google Doc, begin typing in fragmented ideas on key factors, and hope I might translate what I meant after I wanted to refer again to them. I knew I might additionally obtain an official press launch, so I wasn’t (too) anxious about it, however I needed to place NotebookLM to the take a look at in a real-world scenario after I was utilizing it for actual — and never simply tinkering, when practically something appears spectacular when it does what you inform it to. I made a decision to create a brand new pocket book and make my crude notes (which seemed like a collection of dangerous haikus at first look) the one supply, simply to see what got here out on the opposite finish. Not solely did NotebookLM fill within the blanks, however the general abstract learn virtually in addition to the press launch I obtained the next day. I used to be impressed. It felt like alchemy — NotebookLM took some pretty unintelligible language and did not simply flip it into one thing satisfactory, however quite, a fairly spectacular description. Funny sufficient, I’ve since grow to be a extra thorough note-taker, however I’m relieved to know I’ve one thing that may save the day if I want it to. Video Overviews and extra may very well be on the wayEarlier this month, the official NotebookLM X account teased that new options can be introduced throughout Google I/O this 12 months, however little else. Luckily, we’d have the reply now. Thanks to some sleuthing from Testing Catalog, NotebookLM could obtain an improve to Audio Overviews with Video Overviews, giving extra type to your podcast duo that can talk about absolutely anything you throw at it. The characteristic may very well be powered by Veo, Google’s AI video generator, which is already out there in Gemini instantly.Also noticed was an Editor’s Picks part that hints at the opportunity of making your notebooks publicly out there if you need, but additionally to get entry to a curated record of a few of the greatest notebooks from the NotebookLM workforce. If you want extra from NotebookLM, think about upgradingMost people could by no means have the necessity to pay for NotebookLM, because the free characteristic is strong sufficient. But when you’re utilizing it for work and want to have the ability to add extra sources or the choice to share your pocket book with a number of individuals, NotebookLM Plus is price contemplating. It offers you extra of every part whereas introducing extra customization, extra privateness and safety features in addition to analytics. For extra, do not miss Google’s AI Mode is increasing to everybody.
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