Google's NotebookLM Adds Mind Maps: My Take
NotebookLM's new feature and my journey with visual thinking
My journey with mind maps started almost twenty years ago, thanks to Tony Buzan's book. My initial attempts were… rough, to say the least. But something about visualizing connections stuck with me. I eventually moved to tools like XMind, using them for everything from meeting notes to tackling complex problems.
Now, Google's added mind maps to NotebookLM, a tool I use often. It feels like a natural evolution. The idea of turning text into interactive mind maps within the app is exciting. I'm looking forward to how it simplifies learning and research. I've already tried to imagine how well this will work with text heavy reports, management articles etc. And I think it will be a game changer. I have always thought that the ability to visually link information would be amazing in a AI powered note taking application.
The rollout started on March 19th, 2025, and should be complete in two weeks. I'm curious to see how this new feature changes how I work with information. It's a nice blend of something I've used for years, and a tool I already appreciate. I am interested to see how well the AI generates the mindmaps, and what kind of customization will be available.