Google NotebookLM Gets Major Update: Gemini 3.5 and Enhanced Research Tools

Google recently unveiled a significant upgrade to its NotebookLM research tool, rolling out a host of new features that promise to enhance user experience in conducting thorough research. The update sees the shift to Gemini 3.5 as the default model, alongside the introduction of Antigravity-powered software skills designed to aid users in their research endeavors.

This move by Google is reminiscent of its efforts to integrate coding capabilities into search products, aiming to make these tools more engaging and versatile for various user queries. With NotebookLM’s latest update, users can initiate a chat about a project with the app, which will then help build a knowledge base by suggesting different sources using its research skills and leveraging Google Search.

One of the notable features is the ability to provide detailed instructions to NotebookLM for generating output in various formats. Users now have access to exports in multiple formats including Data visualizations and charts, Documents (PDFs, .docx, Markdown, text files), Nano-banana-powered images, Structured data (.csv, .json), and Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

The update also includes a “Deep Research” mode for structured online research. In this mode, NotebookLM will provide detailed steps in the chat to explain how it arrived at its answers, allowing users to verify the output thoroughly. This feature is particularly useful for ensuring accuracy and transparency in the research process.

Currently, these updates are available to Google AI Ultra users and all Workspace business customers with AI Ultra Access and AI Expanded Access. The company aims to expand this functionality to a broader audience in the future, making these advanced tools more accessible to researchers and professionals alike.