In a strategic move to enhance user accessibility, Google is set to preinstall NotebookLM, its AI-driven note-taking application, on Chromebooks. This development follows a recent code update submitted to the Chromium Gerrit, which officially adds the NotebookLM web app to the roster of preinstalled applications within Chrome OS.
NotebookLM, powered by Google’s Gemini AI model, has garnered significant acclaim for its ability to summarize, analyze, and respond to inquiries regarding various forms of content, including documents, articles, videos, and audio. This tool has proven invaluable for students, researchers, and anyone tasked with managing extensive information. By integrating NotebookLM directly into Chromebooks, Google aims to broaden its reach, ensuring that more users can discover and benefit from its capabilities.
For those unfamiliar with the application, accessing NotebookLM is straightforward—simply navigate to notebooklm.google.com in any web browser. However, many potential users may remain unaware of its existence. By placing NotebookLM in the app drawer of Chromebooks, Google hopes to attract attention from users who might not have previously explored this innovative tool.
Installation and User Experience
Google’s initiative to include NotebookLM as a preinstalled web app raises questions about whether this will apply to existing Chromebook models or only new releases. Regardless, the anticipation surrounding this integration is palpable. Users who have yet to experience NotebookLM are encouraged to try it out, as its intuitive design often leads to those enlightening “aha” moments. Colleagues have shared their positive experiences, with one finding it particularly useful for managing vehicle maintenance, while another appreciated its engaging Audio Overview feature for absorbing new information.
Interestingly, some users have expressed surprise at the absence of a dedicated NotebookLM app. However, the rapid evolution of the service may explain this delay. In the meantime, users can easily install the NotebookLM web app on their PCs by following a few simple steps:
- Open Google Chrome, ensuring you are signed into the appropriate Google account.
- Visit notebooklm.google/.
- Click on the install icon located in the address bar, adjacent to the bookmark button.
- A popup window will prompt you to install NotebookLM as an app.
- Click “Install,” and NotebookLM will launch in a separate window.
- For convenience, pin the NotebookLM web app to your taskbar or add it to your desktop home screen.
These installation steps are compatible with most desktop platforms using Google Chrome, and other browsers that support progressive web apps may also facilitate the installation, albeit with slight variations in procedure. Additionally, Android users can add NotebookLM to their home screens by selecting “add to home screen” from the Chrome context menu while on the website.
As users begin to explore NotebookLM, feedback on their favorite features is welcomed, fostering a community of shared insights and experiences.
