Google's NotebookLM introduces a new Featured Notebooks feature, providing direct access to high-quality sources curated by experts.
NotebookLM: Google has launched a revolutionary new feature called 'Featured Notebooks' in its AI-powered learning platform, NotebookLM. This new feature provides users with direct access to high-quality sources that have been selected, reviewed, and organized by experts. This makes researching a topic or obtaining new information easier, more accurate, and more efficient than ever before. Google's goal is to present AI not just as a chatbot or tool, but as a 'smart teacher' that makes knowledge easy to access and understand.
What is the Featured Notebooks Feature?
Users could already create their own notebooks on Google's NotebookLM platform, connecting them to documents, PDFs, articles, and links, and then using AI to create summaries, Q&As, or study guides. Now, the company has taken another big step by adding expert-curated notebooks, which are being called Featured Notebooks. These notebooks are prepared by world-renowned authors, professors, doctors, and institutions, eliminating the need for users to conduct their own research. They can directly open a notebook equipped with authentic and in-depth information with a single click.
How Does It Work?
This new feature from Google works exactly like a 'shared' document in Google Docs – the only difference is that the shared content is a knowledgeable, in-depth notebook. Users simply visit the NotebookLM homepage, click on the 'Featured Notebooks' section, and select their preferred subject matter. As soon as the notebook opens, AI assists you in interpreting the notebook, preparing FAQs, engaging in chat conversations, creating mind maps, and even listening to audio summaries.
Which Notebooks Are Included?
Initially, Google has introduced 8 special Featured Notebooks, covering different fields:
1. Longevity Lifestyle Advice
- Author: Eric Topol, a renowned cardiologist from the United States.
- This notebook is based on how to live a healthy life despite aging.
2. 2025 Predictions and Analysis
- Source: The annual report 'The World Ahead' from the famous publication The Economist.
- It contains predictions for the global economy, technology, climate, and politics.
3. Self-Help Guide
- Author: Arthur C. Brooks, author of the 'How to Build a Life' column in The Atlantic.
- Based on the art of finding peace and purpose in life.
4. Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide
- A science-based interactive travel guide.
5. Long-Term Human Welfare Trends
- Source: The 'Our World in Data' project from the University of Oxford.
- It includes long-term data analysis of poverty, education, health, etc.
6. Parenting Advice
- Source: Psychology Professor Jacqueline Nesi's Substack newsletter 'Techno Sapiens'.
7. Complete Works of William Shakespeare
- A fully annotated and AI-assisted notebook for English literature lovers.
8. First Quarter Earnings Reports of the World's Top 50 Companies
- An excellent source for those interested in business and investment.
How to Use It?
This feature is currently only available on desktop browsers. Users can access these special notebooks by going to the 'Featured Notebooks' section on the NotebookLM homepage. In each notebook, users can use AI-assisted features like:
- Chatbot conversations
- FAQ creation
- Mindmaps
- Audio summaries
- Study guides
Why is This Feature Special?
- Saves Time: No need to do your own research.
- High Quality: Each notebook is curated by reliable sources and experts.
- AI-Assisted: Features study guides, FAQs, chat conversations, mindmaps, and audio summaries.
- Free Service: Google is making it completely free – no subscription, no payment.
How Much Does It Cost?
This feature is completely free. No subscription or payment is required. This means that anyone in the world, whether a student, teacher, or someone seeking general information – can gain knowledge from these expert-curated sources for free.
