Google's AI-Enhanced NotebookLM Note-Taking App Now Available to All Users in the U.S.

Google’s NotebookLM, an innovative note-taking app powered by a large language model, is now available to all users in the US. Designed to pull information exclusively from a custom dataset, NotebookLM ensures that the content you derive is highly relevant to your specific needs. For example, you can use it to assist in writing a paper that relies solely on a designated set of PDFs. This targeted approach sets it apart from general chatbots that draw from the entirety of the public internet.

Initially launched as Project Tailwind at I/O earlier this year, NotebookLM has been rebranded and is built on Google’s Gemini Pro model. Importantly, personal data is not used to train NotebookLM, meaning your sensitive or private information remains secure unless shared with collaborators.

In addition to expanding access from a waitlist over the past five months, Google has introduced several new features aimed at enhancing the user experience. These updates aim to streamline the transition between reading, note-taking, and writing.

Notable features include the ability to format notes into various outputs, such as newsletters, script outlines, or marketing plan drafts, all exportable to Google Docs with a single click. Users can pin notes to a Noteboard space above the chat box, save chatbot responses as notes, and hide source material to minimize distractions while focusing on their thoughts. Furthermore, the AI will allow you to specify which sources to concentrate on, with a total of up to 100 sources available for your projects. It will also provide quick access to citations from chat responses or saved notes.

NotebookLM will suggest actions based on your selected text or notes. Initially, you’ll be able to combine notes, summarize multiple entries, or create outlines and study guides. With these capabilities, NotebookLM becomes an essential tool for anyone looking to enhance their note-taking and writing processes.