notebooklm plus and interactive mode...the future of ai note-taking?

This is the go-to newsletter and community for no-code AI tools, news and productivity insights.

First time reading? Sign up here

2025 is going to be the year ai stops being a tool and starts feeling like a co-worker. google’s notebooklm plus is leading the charge—and honestly, it’s changing the way we think about note-taking and research.

if you’re still using apps that just store your notes like a digital junk drawer, you’re going to want to hear this. let me break it down for you...

what is notebooklm plus?

notebooklm plus is the new and improved version of google’s notebooklm. it’s not just a place to store notes—it’s like having a personal research assistant that works right alongside you. and with the new interactive mode, you’re not just typing anymore… you’re talking to it.

here’s what makes it so cool:

1. smarter summaries: upload your documents (think research papers, meeting notes, or even your messy brainstorms), and notebooklm plus doesn’t just summarize… it actually connects the dots. it’ll flag key themes, contradictions, and even stuff you might’ve missed.

2. cross-notebook searching: let’s say you have notes from a client meeting and another from a team brainstorm. notebooklm plus can find links between them and show you how they’re related. no more digging around.

3. multi-format inputs: this is a big one. now you can upload audio, video, and even voice notes. notebooklm processes it all and folds the insights right into your notes. it’s like having someone organize your chaotic brain for you.

interactive mode: talking to your notes

this is where it gets wild. with interactive mode, you can actually talk to notebooklm plus. like, literally speak to it.

say something like, “what are the big takeaways from last week’s strategy meeting?” or “help me brainstorm ideas for this new project.” it’ll listen, respond, and even pull info from your notes to keep the conversation going.

here’s what makes it work:

• real-time q&a: ask your notebook questions like you would a colleague. "how does this proposal compare to the one we sent last quarter?" and it’ll pull up what you need.

• contextual brainstorming: as you’re spitballing ideas out loud, the ai can suggest connections or pull in references from your other notes.

• personalized to you: this isn’t generic ai answers. everything it says is based on your notes, your projects, and your way of working.

why it matters

notebooklm plus isn’t just another ai tool. it’s built to make your notes actually useful—instead of just sitting there in a folder.

picture this:

• students cranking out essays after uploading a semester’s worth of readings.

• professionals instantly pulling together client updates and action items from months of meeting notes.

• creatives using audio notes, drafts, and videos to map out their next big project—without the clutter.

and now that it works with audio and video, your notes can finally include all those scattered ideas you’ve been too busy to type out.

what’s the catch?

it’s not fully rolled out yet. notebooklm plus is available to select users (you’ll need google workspace for now). but the buzz is real, and it’s clear google has big plans to make this mainstream.

the bottom line

after trying it out, i can say this: notebooklm plus isn’t just note-taking. it’s like having a brainstorming partner, a research assistant, and an organizational wizard all in one.

and the voice feature? it’s a game-changer. imagine being able to talk to your notes… and actually get meaningful answers back.

curious to see how it works? i shared a walkthrough and demo on youtube where you can see it in action. check it out here:

what do you think? would you trust an ai to handle your notes?

If you enjoyed this, get more AI insights and productivity tips by subscribing to the weekly newsletter and connect with me (Jagger) here:

• Linkedin

• Twitter/X

• Instagram

See you next week!

Cheers,

Jagger