Google renames NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook, opens Search to third-party apps

Google announced the rebranding of NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook as part of a broader deepening of the tool's integration into the company's AI ecosystem. According to VP Josh Woodward, approximately 30 million people and 600,000 organizations currently use the platform. The rebranding is accompanied by a significant new feature: each notebook now has its own cloud computer that can write and run code. This capability is initially available to AI Ultra and Workspace customers, with access expanding to additional users over the coming weeks.

In internal testing, the new cloud-based system shows meaningful performance gains. When compared to its predecessor, the new system wins 65 percent of the time overall. For advanced web research specifically, the improvement is even more pronounced, with the new system winning 78.2 percent of the time. These metrics suggest that the code execution capability materially enhances the tool's utility for research and data-heavy tasks.

In a separate but complementary move, Google Search is gaining the ability to integrate third-party applications. This feature, which was previously available in the Gemini app, is now rolling out to Google Search starting this week in the United States. Users can connect apps like Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music through AI Mode and interact with them directly from Search results—adding ingredients to an Instacart cart, accessing Canva templates, or building playlists in YouTube Music without leaving Search. Google has indicated that additional partners are expected to be added to the integration over time.

The rebranding of NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook reflects Google's strategy to consolidate its AI tools under the Gemini brand. By adding cloud-based code execution—a capability that wins internal benchmarks at 65 percent versus the prior system—Google is positioning the tool as a more powerful research and development environment. The performance jump to 78.2 percent for advanced web research suggests that the code capability significantly improves accuracy or usefulness for research-heavy workflows.

Simultaneously, opening Google Search to third-party app integration addresses a friction point in the user journey: having to leave Search to act on AI suggestions. By embedding app actions directly into Search results, Google lowers the barriers to completing tasks and creates a stickier experience. The current rollout to US users through apps like Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music signals a phased approach, with more partners expected to follow. Together, these moves aim to deepen user engagement within Google's ecosystem while leveraging the existing user base—30 million people and 600,000 organizations already use the renamed tool.

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