Google Introduces Notebooks Feature in Gemini App

Google has announced the rollout of a new feature called "notebooks" within its Gemini app, aimed at enhancing user organization and interaction with the AI chatbot. This feature allows users to create personal knowledge bases that can be shared across various Google products, starting with Gemini. Notebooks serve as dedicated spaces for users to organize chats, files, and other resources, facilitating more efficient workflows.

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The notebooks feature includes an "Add to notebook" option in the chat overflow menu, enabling users to select specific notebooks for their conversations. Users can incorporate various sources, such as files from Google Drive, websites, or copied text, into their notebooks. Once organized, these sources can be utilized by Gemini to provide tailored responses during interactions. Additionally, a shortcut to access NotebookLM, Google's AI research tool, is available in the top-right corner of the app. Notebooks created in Gemini will also appear in NotebookLM, allowing for seamless integration between the two platforms.

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Initially, the notebooks feature is being rolled out to subscribers of Google’s AI Ultra, Pro, and Plus plans on the web. Google plans to expand access to mobile users and free accounts in the coming weeks. This phased rollout aims to ensure that a broad range of users can benefit from the enhanced organizational capabilities offered by the notebooks feature.

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The notebooks feature in Gemini has been likened to ChatGPT’s Projects feature, which was introduced in 2024. Both functionalities allow users to store and organize information related to specific topics, although Google's implementation emphasizes integration with its broader suite of products.

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Google has described notebooks as "personal knowledge bases shared across Google products," highlighting their potential to improve user experience and productivity. The company has indicated that this is just the beginning, with plans to introduce additional features to enhance the notebooks functionality in the future.

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While the notebooks feature has been generally well-received, some critics have pointed out that it closely resembles existing features in competing AI tools, raising questions about originality and innovation within Google's offerings. The similarity to ChatGPT's Projects feature may lead to discussions about the competitive landscape in AI-driven productivity tools.

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As Google continues to develop the notebooks feature, users can expect further enhancements and functionalities that aim to improve the integration of Gemini with other Google services. The company has committed to expanding access and capabilities, indicating a focus on user feedback and evolving needs in the AI space.

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• “think of notebooks as personal knowledge bases shared across Google products, starting in Gemini.” — Google Representative

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