Google has finally released an Android app for NotebookLM, its research assistant and notebook powered by Gemini AI. It was previewed earlier in May, can now be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
The Android app was originally scheduled for release on May 17, but Google decided to launch it a day earlier than planned on the 16th. Those waiting for the iOS version will likely be disappointed to hear there is no word on it just yet. However, we knew that Android was coming next, so a version for iOS is likely being worked on right now.
The home screen has a neat design that shows a user’s notebooks as colorful cards. Each card clearly lists the notebook’s name, a matching emoji, the number of sources it contains, the date it was created, and a large play button for the Audio Overview feature. The app also automatically adjusts to the device’s system theme, switching between light and dark mode without any need for manual changes.
I tried using NotebookLM before, and it’s a really good tool for researching and getting a bunch of data together. It also helps you understand a lot of data at once with its Audio Overviews. With them, you can listen to podcast-style summaries of their notebooks, with the ability to play them in the background and access them offline.
The full-screen audio player includes an attractive glow effect, improving the overall experience. Additionally, a beta version of a “Join” feature lets you interact directly with the AI hosts of the Audio Overviews, asking follow-up questions and exploring notebook content in a more interactive way.
There is a bit of a delay in the responses, but it’s just like talking with a chatbot who is pretending to host a podcast. It also continues talking if you don’t talk, but it will go back to summarizing instead of expanding on your question.
Creating new notebooks is simple, and there is a button to have the AI find informational sources on its own. However, I’ve found that it will sometimes add in an opinionated article or two, which doesn’t help you learn. If you want accurate research to look over, add your own PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, and text directly into the app.
When a notebook is open, a bottom navigation bar gives you quick access to the three main sections: Sources, Chat Q&A, and Studio. This layout is very similar to the existing mobile website, so it should be familiar if you’ve used it before.
Related
Google NotebookLM Can Now Try to Find Sources for You
NotebookLM, the AI-powered notebook and research tool with Google Gemini, just received yet another update. Google has added ‘Discover sources’ as a new option to help you find sources for whatever you’re working on.
Even if you’re not interested in AI, I’d suggest trying this out. This is like having your own personal podcast to listen to about subjects you want to learn about. With it being on your phone, it can be listened to on the go like real podcasts.
Source: 9to5Google
