Google has expanded its AI-powered note-taking application to let users interact with books, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The Verge under condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
What Happened
The company has updated its Gemini-integrated NotebookLM platform to allow readers to engage directly with book content. Users can upload books and then ask questions about specific passages or request summaries, receiving conversational AI responses that explain the text in context. For example, a user could ask why a particular character makes a decision at a key point in a novel, or request a summary of chapters they have not yet read. The feature represents an expansion beyond NotebookLM's original note-taking focus into broader document interaction.
Why It Matters
The expansion marks a notable step for Google's productivity AI tools as the company works to differentiate its Gemini-powered offerings in an increasingly competitive market. For developers and businesses evaluating AI writing assistants, the ability to interact conversationally with longer-form content like books could make these tools more useful for research and learning workflows.
The Bottom Line
Google has not yet announced official pricing or broader availability details for the expanded book interaction feature.