Ever wished you could instantly turn your scribbled notes or a complex infographic into something you could easily understand? Well, Google's NotebookLM app just took a giant leap in that direction! They've added a built-in camera, allowing you to seamlessly integrate images as sources.
Initially designed for on-the-go audio overviews, NotebookLM has been rapidly evolving. Last month's updates introduced flashcards and quizzes, perfect for mobile learning. Now, you can snap a photo or upload an image directly into the app, alongside text, audio, videos, websites, and files like PDFs.
This new camera feature is easily accessible. You'll find it as a floating action button (FAB) on the homepage and within the Sources tab. Tapping it opens your device's camera, ready for action! You can capture handwritten notes, whiteboards, printed handouts, infographics – anything you want to use as a source for your research or learning. And if you already have images saved, no problem! The "Add a source" option now includes an Image button, letting you browse your photo library, including those all-important screenshots.
This image integration first appeared on the web version of NotebookLM in mid-November and is now widely available on both Android and iOS apps. If you don't see the update right away, a simple force stop of the app should trigger the server-side update and bring you up to speed.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the mobile features Google announced last month, such as flashcards, quizzes, and the ability to unselect sources, are widely available, the shared chat history feature across sessions doesn't seem to be fully rolled out on Android and iOS yet. This could be a frustration for some users.
In other exciting news, Google recently brought back Infographics and Slides for free users and Pro subscribers. This is a welcome addition, expanding the tools available to users for visual learning and information organization.
Want to dive deeper into NotebookLM?
- Google has adjusted the free access limits for Gemini 3 Pro due to high demand.
- NotebookLM is expanding its capabilities with Deep Research and support for Microsoft Word and Google Sheets.
- The app has also received a significant chat upgrade, including saved history and a 1M token context window.
What do you think about the new camera feature? Do you see yourself using it to integrate images into your research or learning process? Are there other features you'd like to see added to NotebookLM? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
