Google's AI-powered note-taking and research assistant, NotebookLM, received a major update on Thursday, enhancing its capabilities. Now, users can add YouTube videos and audio files as sources and ask the AI questions based on their content. Additionally, the platform has improved the sharing of Audio Overviews, a feature introduced earlier this month, and users can now create study guides using handwritten notes and lecture slides. These updates are being rolled out for all users.
NotebookLM was originally designed to simplify note-taking and research for students, academics, and journalists. The platform allows users to input sources like PDFs, Word documents, Google Docs, or even copied text blocks, which the AI processes and summarizes. It also provides answers to queries based on these sources.
In a recent blog post, Google announced that the platform now supports YouTube videos and audio files as sources. Users can input a public YouTube video URL (unlisted videos aren't supported), and NotebookLM will analyze it, generating key points from the content. A video transcript is also produced, with inline citations for deeper exploration. Users can view the video directly within the platform for added context.
Similarly, audio files can now be uploaded as sources. NotebookLM can transcribe these recordings and extract specific information when prompted. This feature is particularly useful for students who record lectures or journalists conducting interviews. Corporate users can also benefit, using it to review meeting minutes.
NotebookLM also enhances the creation of study guides, allowing users to upload handwritten notes and lecture slides to produce organized, systematic guides. Moreover, the platform has upgraded Audio Overviews, allowing users to share these audio summaries with just a tap. However, Google Workspace users cannot share audio discussions with this feature.