The emergence of Google’s NotebookLM has sparked confusion among users who perceive it primarily as a note-taking application. Launched as an AI research tool, NotebookLM is designed to assist users in organizing and interacting with information, not to serve as a conventional platform for note-taking.
Many individuals have experimented with NotebookLM beyond its intended use, employing it for various purposes such as fitness coaching, culinary advice, and even music curation. However, its core functionality is centered around aiding research rather than capturing and organizing notes.
NotebookLM’s Purpose and Design
At its foundation, NotebookLM is defined by its role as a research assistant. When users search for NotebookLM, they are met with a description emphasizing its function as an “AI Research Tool and Thinking Partner.” This highlights its primary aim: to help users think more effectively and streamline their research processes. Unlike traditional note-taking apps, which provide a blank page for users to jot down thoughts and ideas, NotebookLM requires users to upload existing information.
Once users have inputted their sources, NotebookLM can transform these into various formats, including podcasts, explanatory videos, and organized reports. This process underscores a crucial distinction: users must first gather their materials before utilizing NotebookLM’s features, whereas note-taking apps typically facilitate the initial capture of ideas.
Lack of Organizational Features
A significant drawback of NotebookLM is its lack of organizational capabilities. Traditional note-taking apps excel in providing users with systems to structure and categorize their content, featuring folders, tags, and notebooks for easy retrieval. In contrast, NotebookLM offers only a basic notebook structure, where users must manually manage their sources.
This limitation can lead to inefficiencies, especially for students and professionals managing multiple projects. For instance, a user might have to create separate notebooks for different courses, complicating the organization of related materials. The absence of tagging, sorting, or linking options further hampers the effectiveness of NotebookLM as an organizational tool.
While it is possible to incorporate NotebookLM into a note-taking workflow, this approach may feel less intuitive than using dedicated note-taking applications. Users can create separate notebooks for different subjects and upload relevant materials, but the resultant organization relies heavily on manual tracking.
For those who prefer a more streamlined experience, pairing NotebookLM with established note-taking solutions like Notion or Evernote can provide the best of both worlds. By leveraging the strengths of these platforms, users can enhance their productivity while enjoying the unique features NotebookLM offers.
In summary, while Google’s NotebookLM presents exciting opportunities for research and information management, it is essential for users to understand its intended purpose. Acknowledging its limitations as a note-taking app can lead to more effective use and better results in academic and professional pursuits.
