Google Releases NotebookLM App for iOS and Android

[MacRumors]

Google has launched iOS and Android apps for NotebookLM, the company's advanced AI-powered research and note-taking tool.

Commenting on the launch in a blog post, Google said:

We've received a lot of great feedback from the millions of people using NotebookLM, our tool for understanding and engaging with complex information. One of the most frequent requests has been for a mobile app — for listening to Audio Overviews on the go, asking questions about sources in the moment, and sharing content directly to NotebookLM while browsing.

Today, we're happy to say it's here, on both Android and iOS! This first version of the app includes many of the core features of NotebookLM — with more refinements and features to come in the months ahead — and is designed to help you understand anything, anywhere.

If you haven't come across it before, NotebookLM functions as an AI research companion that helps users analyze and interact with their documents, websites, and other content. The tool can generate summaries, create FAQ lists, produce timeline views, and even transform research materials into podcast-style audio discussions with AI-generated hosts. Google originally launched it in 2023, and then launched its NotebookLM Plus plan for businesses, schools, organizations, and enterprise customers in December. NotebookLM Plus is also available as a part of a Google One AI Premium subscription.

One of the big additions with the app is offline access to Audio Overviews, the genuinely impressive feature that sees two hosts have a podcast-style chat about your project sources. Users can now download summaries for listening on the go, which should be handy for those looking to conserve data. Whether offline or online, the app also supports background playback, making it easier to catch up on research insights while multitasking.

The iOS version also adds more interactivity. Users can tap "Join" to engage directly with the app's AI-powered hosts, allowing them to ask clarifying questions, change the direction of a summary, or toss in an offbeat query.

Sharing content into NotebookLM is now easier than it was via the web app. If you're viewing a website, a PDF, or a YouTube video, access the share sheet and select NotebookLM to add the material as a source. Google says it plans to expand the range of supported input types over time.

The NotebookLM app is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google Releases NotebookLM App for iOS and Android

 

[KRiWOLF]

This genuinely sounds useful.. I just can't see myself trusting google with any more of my data.. bummer.

 

[abatabia]

I tried it out on one of my old podcast scripts and it’s beyond cool.

 

[clebingames]

Google Graveyard, prepare your entry now.

 

[crisneat]

As much as I love the convenience, I’m also staying mindful that this is still a Google product. The privacy tradeoffs aren’t always clear, especially when feeding personal documents or sensitive research into the system.
Amazing tool, borderline magic in how it helps digest complex info, but worth using with a bit of caution.
Don’t upload anything you wouldn’t be okay having on a corporate server somewhere.

 

[ShadowJamie]

No, thank you.

Data linked to you
Purchase History, Coarse Location, Email Address, Physical Address, Name, Phone Number, Other User Contact Info, Contacts, Photos or Videos, Audio Data, Customer Support, Other User Content, User ID, Device ID, Product Interaction, Performance Data, Other Diagnostic Data

 

[Fuzzball84]

These AI apps can be a huge boost to productivity but the issue for most people will be privacy and data integrity. And this issue will be even more important for businesses, to the extent that most corporations policies dictate that AI functions be disabled.

 

[dialogos]

No, thank you.

Data linked to you
Purchase History, Coarse Location, Email Address, Physical Address, Name, Phone Number, Other User Contact Info, Contacts, Photos or Videos, Audio Data, Customer Support, Other User Content, User ID, Device ID, Product Interaction, Performance Data, Other Diagnostic Data

So you mean exactly like Apple Music, right?

And if you want to scare people then this is from Google...According to this, Apple Music collects even more data.

I call this hypocrisy.

 

[cicalinarrot]

I'm not gonna give all my data to Google!
They already have it.

 

[iToph]

Can I actually make AI podcasts with a script with notebookLM?
I don’t want to summarize, just the voices to speak the script

 

[Fuzzball84]

So you mean exactly like Apple Music, right?

View attachment 2512208

And if you want to scare people then this is from Google...According to this, Apple Music collects even more data.

View attachment 2512209


I call this hypocrisy.

The most important part will be whether that data is sold to or shared with third parties. That can be even more important than what is collected.

 

[dialogos]

I'm not gonna give all my data to Google!
They already have it.

 

[ShadowJamie]

So you mean exactly like Apple Music, right?

View attachment 2512208

And if you want to scare people then this is from Google...According to this, Apple Music collects even more data.

View attachment 2512209


I call this hypocrisy.

Fair point, but Google is known for having a business model that depends on collecting and monetizing user data, while Apple’s does not

 

[dialogos]

The most important part will be whether that data is sold to or shared with third parties. That can be even more important than what is collected.

 

[dialogos]

Fair point, but Google is known for having a business model that depends on collecting and monetizing user data, while Apple’s does not

Check my replies to others with NotebookLM’s official policy. It clearly states: "Your personal data is never used to train or improve NotebookLM."

Now look at the data collected by Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. Those are apps where many of us store personal information. They collect "User Content"

So let’s not pretend Apple is some kind of angel just because they’ve spent millions on marketing.

 

[BootsWalking]

Fair point, but Google is known for having a business model that depends on collecting and monetizing user data, while Apple’s does not

I always smile when I read someone saying this. Apple gets over $20B/year from Google to do this very thing.

 

[iPay]

> We've received a lot of great feedback from the millions of people using NotebookLM
Guess it's Google newspeak for "We're sucking out every bit of user data we can"

 

[dialogos]

Fair point, but Google is known for having a business model that depends on collecting and monetizing user data, while Apple’s does not

I personally don’t trust Google, but I don’t trust Apple either. They have lost my trust.

That’s where we differ. You clearly trust Apple or at least Apple's marketing.

As a consumer, I’ll use the tool that works best for me. I decide what kind of data I upload. It’s not like Google can magically steal my personal info if I choose not to upload it.

 

[TechWhisperer]

So you mean exactly like Apple Music, right?

View attachment 2512208

And if you want to scare people then this is from Google...According to this, Apple Music collects even more data.

View attachment 2512209


I call this hypocrisy.

Your reading comprehension is abysmal. Apple Music obviously tracks your purchases, that's literally how it functions. They know your location to serve regional content, basic business logic. They have your payment details because you *pay them for a service*. And they monitor usage to deliver content and pay artists.

These aren't revelations, they're the fundamental mechanisms of the service you signed up for. Did you think music just magically appeared without data exchange? LOL.

 

[crisneat]

Your reading comprehension is abysmal. Apple Music obviously tracks your purchases, that's literally how it functions. They know your location to serve regional content, basic business logic. They have your payment details because you *pay them for a service*. And they monitor usage to deliver content and pay artists.

These aren't revelations, they're the fundamental mechanisms of the service you signed up for. Did you think music just magically appeared without data exchange? LOL.

It’s important to approach this topic with clarity rather than brand loyalty. The assertion that Apple collects user data solely for functional purposes such as regional content delivery or artist compensation while Google does so with more questionable intent, reflects a selective interpretation of corporate behavior.

Both Apple and Google collect extensive user data. The difference lies not so much in the nature of the data collection, but in how it is framed and communicated to the public. Apple positions its data practices within the language of user experience and privacy, but it would be naïve to assume these practices do not also serve broader commercial objectives: product optimization, market segmentation, and increased sales across its hardware and services ecosystem.

In short, both companies are engaged in data driven business models. The distinction is not ethical, but rhetorical.

 

[555gallardo]

Finally, a multi-platform free to download app from Google that allows me to write highly confidential documents without having to worry that any trade secrets would be shared to related third parties.

 

[dialogos]

Your reading comprehension is abysmal. Apple Music obviously tracks your purchases, that's literally how it functions. They know your location to serve regional content, basic business logic. They have your payment details because you *pay them for a service*. And they monitor usage to deliver content and pay artists.

These aren't revelations, they're the fundamental mechanisms of the service you signed up for. Did you think music just magically appeared without data exchange? LOL.

My reading comprehension is just fine.

Ok let me try yours now. The following screenshots are from Apple Pages and Notes.

Can you explain to me why Apple tracks way more data in Pages? And why do they collect User Content?

As I said, I personally don’t care. I choose what I upload, and that’s it. If Google has access to some of the content I select to upload, it doesn't matter as it boosts my productivity.

Their tools are excellent, and that’s exactly what they are. Tools! Maybe you should focus on learning how to use them properly instead of insulting people you don’t even know.

 

[SanderEvers]

My reading comprehension is just fine.

Ok let me try yours now. The following screenshots are from Apple Pages and Notes.

View attachment 2512221
View attachment 2512220

Can you explain to me why Apple tracks way more data in Pages? And why do they collect User Content?

As I said, I personally don’t care. I choose what I upload, and that’s it. If Google has access to some of the content I select to upload, it doesn't matter as it boosts my productivity.

Their tools are excellent, and that’s exactly what they are. Tools! Maybe you should focus on learning how to use them properly instead of insulting people you don’t even know.

iCloud?

 

[dialogos]

iCloud?

I understand that any company can access user content if it’s uploaded to the cloud. That’s true for both Apple and Google. My issue is with people who blindly praise Apple while criticizing Google, even when both operate similarly. It's almost ridiculous.

In the case of NotebookLM, Google clearly states they don’t use user content to train their models, and I assume that claim is subject to strict audits.

As a consumer, I don’t blindly trust or condemn either company. I choose the tools that work best for me.

 

[wdfly]

Fair point, but Google is known for having a business model that depends on collecting and monetizing user data, while Apple’s does not

I'd wager a vast sum of money that Apple monetizes data also.