According to XDA-Developers, a new AI knowledge management tool called Recall is positioning itself as a potential replacement for Google’s NotebookLM. It works by pulling clean, structured takeaways from a wide array of sources including web pages, PDF files, YouTube videos, and podcasts. The core tool operates primarily through a Chromium browser extension, with iOS and Android apps still in beta. It automatically creates notebooks and tags for saved content, features a powerful AI assistant for summaries and synthesis, and includes built-in note-taking capabilities. A unique “Review” feature uses Active Recall and Spaced Repetition techniques to quiz users on their saved materials. While the free version has some limitations on weblinks and quizzes, all core features remain accessible at no cost.
The NotebookLM Challenger
Here’s the thing about the AI note-taking space: it’s getting crowded, but real differentiation is rare. NotebookLM from Google has been a solid player, especially for its deep integration with Google’s ecosystem and its use of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). But as the XDA piece points out, it’s “notorious for lacking in organizational features.” That’s a pretty big gap for a tool designed to manage knowledge. Recall seems to have been built with that exact pain point in mind. It doesn’t just ingest your content; it immediately starts connecting and categorizing it for you. That automatic tagging and notebook creation? That’s the kind of feature that makes a tool stick, because it removes the friction of setup. Who has time to manually organize every article they save?
Why The Extension Matters
The focus on the browser extension as the main touchpoint is a smart move. Basically, it meets users where they already are—scrolling the web. You don’t have to context-switch to a separate app to capture and interact with an idea. You can save, summarize, and chat about an article right in the sidebar. This creates a much more fluid workflow compared to the often-app-centric approach of other tools. The ability to use slash commands for formatting notes directly in the extension panel is a nice, practical touch that borrows from the best modern writing apps. It makes the AI feel less like a separate oracle you consult and more like a partner right there in your browser.
More Than Just A Summarizer
What really pushes Recall beyond a simple summarizer are its added layers. The Graph view, compared to Obsidian’s Canvas, suggests it’s thinking about knowledge spatially, which is huge for visual learners and researchers. And doubling as a proper notes app where you can edit AI summaries and add your own thoughts merges two worlds that are often separate. But the killer feature for students and lifelong learners might be the quiz system tied to “Review.” Spaced repetition is a proven learning method, and baking it directly into the app with AI-curated questions based on your weak spots? That’s genuinely useful. It’s not just about storing information; it’s about making sure it actually sticks.
The Verdict For Users
So, is it a true “NotebookLM killer”? For some users, absolutely. If your main gripes with NotebookLM are organization, a clunky workflow, and the lack of built-in study aids, then Recall seems to directly address those. The fact that you can start with just the Chrome extension for free is a low barrier to entry. The real test will be scale and reliability—how does it handle a massive, thousand-source knowledge base? And the lack of real-time web search in its AI is a current limitation to note. But the underlying idea is powerful: an AI tool that doesn’t just react to your prompts, but proactively structures your digital brain. I think we’ll see a lot more tools trying to do this in the next year. For now, Recall has definitely earned a closer look.
