Google has announced the launch of a standalone mobile app for its NotebookLM tool, developed by the Google Labs team. NotebookLM is designed to help users understand and engage with complex information, and the new apps for both Android and iOS devices respond to significant user demand for on-the-go access to its powerful features.
Google Releases NotebookLM App on iOS and Android
The announcement, made yesterday by Biao Wang, Product Manager at Google Labs, highlights the new apps’ ability to allow users to “understand anything, anywhere.” This initial release incorporates many of the core functionalities of the web-based NotebookLM, with promises of further refinements and feature additions in the coming months from the Google team.
Key Features of the NotebookLM App
One of the key features highlighted by Google is the ability to listen to Audio Overviews offline. This addresses a significant pain point for users who frequently find themselves in areas with poor or no internet connectivity, such as subway tunnels or service dead spots. The offline playback capability also allows users to conserve cellular data. Furthermore, users can listen to these overviews in the background, facilitating seamless multitasking.
The mobile apps from Google also introduce a novel feature allowing users to interact with the hosts of the Audio Overviews. By simply tapping a “Join” button, users can ask questions and guide the discussion, fostering a more interactive learning experience within the Google ecosystem.
Another significant enhancement from Google is the ability to share content directly to NotebookLM from any app. Whether browsing a website, viewing a PDF document, or watching a YouTube video on their mobile device, users can now easily add these as new sources to their NotebookLM workspace via the share icon. Google has indicated plans to support additional input types in the future.
According to early testers of Google’s NotebookLM app, these features have proven particularly beneficial for students, professionals, and anyone who regularly deals with large amounts of information. The accessibility of NotebookLM across all devices is expected to significantly streamline workflows and enhance productivity for Google users.
Availability and Feedback
The NotebookLM app by Google is now available for download on the App Store for iOS devices running iOS 17 or later (iPhone and iPad) and on the Google Play Store for Android devices running Android 10 or later (phones and tablets).
Google Labs encourages users to provide feedback on the new apps via their X (formerly Twitter) account or their Discord server as they continue to develop and improve the NotebookLM experience.
