Ever since the buzz around NotebookLM and its impressively realistic podcasts, users have been eager for a mobile app version. Earlier this month, we reported that such an app was in development and now, it’s finally here. The NotebookLM app is officially available for both Android and iPhone, ready for you to download and try out.
As expected, the mobile app functions much like the desktop version but with a more streamlined experience. You can upload content from various sources PDFs, websites, YouTube links, or any copied text. Once your sources are added, NotebookLM uses AI to analyze and break down the topic for you.
The app also includes an “Audio overviews” feature, which turns your notes into a podcast-style summary, complete with two AI-generated hosts. While this feature has sparked debate in ongoing discussions around AI-generated media, it’s a convenient tool if you simply want to listen to a recap of, say, your history notes in podcast form.
Hands-On with Google’s NotebookLM App
With the app now available on my iPhone, I decided to try it out especially since I enjoyed using NotebookLM when it first launched. I was curious to see how well Google would translate the desktop experience to mobile, and to my surprise, they’ve done a solid job.
The app keeps things straightforward, with three main sections: Summarize, Chat, and Studio. In the Summarize tab, you can add new sources and view everything you’ve uploaded so far. Embracing my inner narcissist, I shared a link to one of my own articles about Skype’s brief but unfortunate decline. The app quickly processed it, providing a summary in the Chat tab, where I could ask follow-up questions about the content.
If you’re more of an auditory learner, the Studio section will be right up your alley. This is where you can transform your source material into the now-infamous podcast feature I’ve been raving about. It’s a mildly engaging show hosted by two AI voice models that fall deep into the uncanny valley. Every time I listen, it’s a strange experience they sound incredibly real, yet I know they’re not.
If you choose the Interactive option, you can jump in as a guest caller and ask follow-up questions. After testing it myself, I’d say it’s a bit hit or miss. Sometimes it works seamlessly, while other times the app crashed or the audio overview refused to play.
That said, it’s still a fantastic way to learn and dive into new topics during your commute or downtime. I only wish something like this existed back in my student days. Now that it’s here, I definitely recommend giving the NotebookLM app a try and let us know what you think!
