Google has significantly improved NotebookLM. It's now smarter and can create downloadable files

NotebookLM started three years ago as an experiment from Google Labs and gained much of its popularity thanks to its audio overview feature, which turns uploaded documents into a two-voice podcast debate. However, the latest update shows where Google wants to take it: transforming it from a chatbot answering questions about uploaded files into an assistant that can write code, search for information on the web, and produce a finished document.

New Model and Private Cloud Computer

The chat in NotebookLM now runs on the Gemini 3.5 model and the Antigravity agent development environment. In addition to more accurate answers, the update is intended to provide better insight into how the model arrives at its results. The reasoning steps are displayed directly in the chat, which is a response to repeated user demand for greater transparency.

A more fundamental change, however, is the secure cloud computer that each notebook now receives. Thanks to it, NotebookLM can write and run code, process data, and handle more demanding analyses that the language model alone couldn’t manage before. It includes over 100 pre-built software skills, expanding what can be done with uploaded sources.

Google also boasts numbers from its own comparison with the older version. According to the manufacturer, the improved NotebookLM achieved an average success rate of over 65% across five main evaluation criteria, which is 15 percentage points above the agreement threshold. For extensive document analysis, it reports 69.9%, and for advanced web source retrieval, an impressive 78.2%. These are Google’s internal tests, so they should be taken with a grain of salt.

Creating PDFs, Excel, and Presentations

The second major new feature is the expansion of outputs. NotebookLM can now assemble a finished file from your sources, which you can then download directly from the Studio panel. You can also provide specific instructions, such as a PDF report with charts and tables or a detailed budget spreadsheet. If the result isn’t right, it can be further edited after generation.

New formats include:

• Charts and data visualizations (png, svg)
• Documents (PDF, docx, markdown, text files)
• Images generated by the Nano Banana model (png, jpg, gif)
• Structured data (csv, json)
• Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (xlsx)
• Microsoft PowerPoint presentations (pptx)

Google promises to add more formats later. This transforms the note-taking tool into something closer to a work assistant that can finalize output into a form you would normally assemble manually in Office.

Research Can Be Started Even Without Your Own Materials

Until now, NotebookLM made sense primarily when you came with your own sources and a clear idea. That is changing. You can now start with just free ideas and questions, and the tool will guide you in building your own source library within the chat. It can find related works, locate primary sources in other languages, and search the web via Google Search to add quality materials to your notebook.

Google has significantly improved NotebookLM. It's now smarter and can create downloadable files Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

According to Google, the user retains control over what enters the notebook, and all sources remain clearly labeled. This is important because the whole magic of NotebookLM was based on answers coming from materials you trust, not from random internet content.

Currently Only for Paid Plans

The update is rolling out globally from June 8th on the web, but not for everyone. It will be available to Google AI Ultra subscribers and Workspace business customers with AI Ultra Access and AI Expanded Access. Google plans a wider rollout later, but has not yet specified a date or conditions for regular and free accounts. A large portion of people who use NotebookLM for learning or notes will have to wait some time for the new features.

Do you use NotebookLM, or do you prefer another AI tool for research?

Sources: Google, 9to5Google