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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business Standard
Google NotebookLM: How to use it for study - with real, practical workflows
Google's NotebookLM is built around AI from the start. Unlike chatbots, it does not wander off the internet; it works with what you have given it New Delhi Google's NotebookLM isn't just the app that turns your documents into a podcast. It's an AI-first notebook that sits beside your sources, summarises them, answers questions with citations, and reshapes material into briefings, study guides, timelines, and even audio. Because everything happens in the context of the files you add, the outputs stay grounded and transparent. In this guide, I will walk you through how it can make research and learning more engaging, interactive, and fun. What NotebookLM is (and why it's different) NotebookLM is built around AI from the start. You add sources such as PDFs, Google Docs, Slides, pasted text, or web links, and the notebook spins up an AI that 'knows' those materials. It can surface key ideas, compare arguments across papers, and cite back to the exact passages it used. Unlike general chatbots, it does not wander off the internet; it works with what you have given it. Getting started Sign in with your Google account, create a notebook, and add sources. You can point it at a Drive file, paste text, upload a PDF or TXT, or drop in a URL. After ingesting, the home view shows three anchors: Sources (everything you added), Chat (ask questions, get cited answers), and Studio (structured outputs like overviews, reports, timelines, and the podcast maker). The dashboard, in practice Sources lists each document with auto-generated summaries and suggested questions. Chat lets you query across all sources ('Compare the definitions of formative assessment in Papers A and C') and returns answers with inline citations. Studio can create a video or audio overview, reports, mind maps, and the two-host podcast that turns your material into a conversational explainer you can play, scrub, or share. Generating ideas When I wanted inspiration on a particular topic, I simply asked NotebookLM in the chat for ideas. The responses were varied and often creative. By experimenting with different prompts, you can guide the AI toward exactly the kind of ideas you need – whether that is brainstorming themes, outlining potential approaches, or suggesting unique angles to explore. If your first query feels too generic, try refining it. The more specific and tailored your prompt, the more relevant and actionable the results will be. In short, varied prompts can either give you a clear direction right away or spark follow-up questions that lead you to even better ideas. The notes page When neither the notebook guide nor the chat is open, the default screen is the notes page. The default notes page contains no notes. There are two types of notes: written and AI-generated. Written notes are notes you type in yourself. To create a new note, click 'Add note' at the top of the notes page. This will generate a new, blank note for you. The other one gives an option to discover any topic with AI. Podcast generation with NotebookLM One of NotebookLM's most innovative features is its ability to produce customised podcasts where two AI voices discuss your documents. This is not just basic text-to-speech; the result is not a direct narration, but a dynamic conversation between two hosts highlighting the key points. The tone and flow truly resemble a real podcast, and the voices sound surprisingly human and expressive. For example, I shared the same 'AI in Education' content, you can set up your AI hosts and let them turn your document into an engaging, conversational audio experience. After this, you get an option to even change the speed, share the podcast, or even moving forward and backward. Structured formats NotebookLM isn't just for generating insights, it also helps you organise your notes into clear, structured formats. With the new formatting tools in the notebook guide, you can quickly turn your content into FAQs, study guides, or timelines, all without leaving your notebook. This makes it easier to keep information organised and ready for review or sharing. Tips for using NotebookLM Choose relevant sources – Upload reliable, topic-specific documents to ensure accurate and useful insights. Ask clear, specific questions – Well-structured prompts lead to more focused and helpful responses. Experiment with prompts – Try different formats, like comparisons, pros/cons lists, or creative summaries, to unlock new insights. Review and verify information – Always double-check AI-generated content for accuracy, especially with complex or sensitive topics.
Mint
04-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Google's custom Gemini AI chatbots now available in Docs, Drive, Sheets, and Gmail
Google now lets you open custom Gemini helpers, called 'Gems,' right inside your Workspace apps without switching screens. You will see them in the side panel of Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drive, and Gmail. Gems are special chatbots you set up with a name and instructions for tasks like writing, sorting data, or drafting emails. Once created, you can use them anytime without switching to the Gemini app or typing the same prompt again. For example, if you want to learn something, you can set up a Gem as your learning coach. You just need to write instructions on what topic you want to learn or study and how you prefer to learn. You can also share files or notes it should follow. Each time you open that Gem, it will give you answers and tips that match your style. People can also attach their own files to a Gem to give it extra context and details for specific tasks. If you prefer not to build one yourself, Google also offers a set of read made Gems. These cover common needs like editing text, writing code, drafting sales pitches, and other everyday work. According to Google, here are some ways you might use Gems in Workspace: Use a copywriting Gem to help you write posts and content in the tone you want, with tips and examples ready to go. Create a sales Gem that includes details about a company or industry, so your messages feel prepared and useful. Make an assistant Gem for your job that can write summaries and notes you need every day. Set up a Gem that checks your drafts like a CEO would, so your message sounds right for leaders. Gems were first only part of the Gemini app, so you still need to create them there or use the 'Create a new Gem' option in the side panel. Once you set them up, they work inside Workspace and support features like @-mentions and file access. The Gems update is now available to all Google Workspace users who can access Gemini in the Workspace app side panels. The rollout started on July 2nd, but it may take more than two weeks to appear in your account. You'll need a Standard Workspace plan or higher to start using Gems.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Google is rolling out Gemini Gems to Gmail, Drive and Docs
Google has expanded access for their custom Gemini AI assistants, Gems to their Workspace apps like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drive and Gmail. Users will be able to create chatbots for specific tasks or use pre-made Gems without needing to switch between apps. There are already pre-made Gems that Google offers like Writing editor, Brainstormer, Learning coach and Coding partner. But users can build chatbots for tasks to 'minimise repetitive prompting,' the company said. Other basic tasks like @-mentioning and accessing files/folders are also supported by both custom and pre-made Gems. A blog posted by Google making the announcement shared examples of use cases for Gems, 'Leverage a copywriting Gem to create posts and content tailored to your target audience or create a Gem that helps with sales interactions that is grounded on information for a specific company, prospect, or industry or leverage an 'assistant gem' tailored to your job role to help provide more relevant summaries for you.' The feature is being rolled out over the coming weeks for Google Workspace customers who can access Gemini in the side panel of their apps. Gems was launched last year in August last year with the goal of becoming custom 'AI experts' for Gemini Business, Advanced and Enterprise subscribers. Users will have to either go to or click on 'Create a new Gem' option in the Workspace side panel to build custom Gems.
CNBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
45. Figma
Founders: Dylan Field (CEO), Evan WallaceLaunched: 2012Headquarters: San FranciscoFunding: $332.9 millionValuation: $12.5 billion (PitchBook)Key Technologies: N/AIndustry: Enterprise technologyPrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 1 (No. 26 in 2024) Design software was once dominated by desktop applications that created fractured workflows, locked users into specific platforms and hindered collaboration. Figma founders Dylan Field and Evan Wallace had something different in mind: a professional-grade design tool built for the internet. The two wanted to reimagine design software, drawing inspiration from real-time, multi-user platforms like Google Docs. The idea took off in 2012 when Field received a $100,000 Thiel Fellowship, prompting him to drop out of Brown University to start Figma. When the product launched in 2016, it was initially dismissed as a lightweight alternative to established desktop software. But Figma soon won over professionals with its robust features, flexibility and version control. The company has since evolved into a broader platform that supports the entire product development lifecycle. In addition to the design tool, Figma now includes FigJam for virtual whiteboarding, Slides for presentations, Dev Mode, an interface for developers translating designs into code, and Figma Make, a "vibe-coding" tool that uses AI to help automate the process of building websites and applications. Figma clients include Google, Microsoft, Netflix, and Ikea, plus nearly 100 U.S. federal agencies, including the IRS and the Department of Education. More than 85% of its users and half of its revenue come from outside the U.S. Moreover, active users increasingly include non-designers such as marketers, product managers and executives. The company made headlines in 2022 when Adobe announced plans to acquire the company for an eye-popping $20 billion. But after 15 months of regulatory scrutiny and mounting antitrust pressure from EU and UK authorities concerned about reduced market competition, the deal was abandoned. Figma walked away with a $1 billion breakup fee. In May 2024, it held a tender offer allowing current investors, including current and former employees, to sell their shares in a deal that valued the company at $12.5 billion. To date, the company has raised $332.9 million in funding from prominent investors like Greylock, Sequoia, and Andreessen Horowitz — not including the $1 billion from Adobe. The company filed for an initial public offering in April, even as other tech companies delayed their IPOs amid the market volatility caused by Trump's tariff announcements. Despite posting record revenue every quarter in 2024 while remaining cash-flow positive, the company now faces growing competition from both traditional players and startups like fellow Disruptor Canva. The growing prevalence of AI-powered design tools is costly, and return on investment for customers remains a major question, which Field acknowledged in a comment last year to CNBC that the company is "eating the cost" of AI adoption for now. "We're gonna eat the cost for 2024, because we don't know how people are going to use the features yet. We don't know how many of you will care, we don't know how good they get," Field said in a June 2024 interview with CNBC.
