Unlocking Google’s Secret: How to Use Nano Banana in Google Lens and NotebookLM
Google’s Nano Banana model is creating a buzz in the tech world — and for good reason. This new AI-powered innovation brings Google’s advanced image generation and multimedia capabilities directly into two of its most popular tools: Google Lens and NotebookLM.
Whether you’re capturing a moment, enhancing your selfies, or turning your study notes into cinematic video explainers, Nano Banana is about to redefine how you interact with Google’s ecosystem. Let’s dive deep into how this new model works, how to use it, and why it’s being called one of Google’s most exciting AI rollouts yet.
What Is Google’s Nano Banana Model?
Nano Banana is Google’s latest AI image generation model, designed to make creative visual tasks effortless and intuitive. It’s part of Google’s ongoing push to integrate generative AI across its suite of apps, combining the intelligence of Gemini models with real-world applications.
Originally known for its use in creative tools like Google ImageFX, Nano Banana is now stepping into Google Lens and NotebookLM, expanding its capabilities from standalone generation to interactive, on-the-go experiences.
Think of it as a mini creative assistant that helps you transform photos, enhance documents, and even create stylized videos, all within Google’s apps — without needing advanced design skills or third-party tools.
How Does Nano Banana Work in Google Lens?
1. Capturing and Enhancing Photos with AI Magic
With Nano Banana integrated into Google Lens, you can now take a photo and instantly transform it using AI prompts. The model doesn’t just adjust lighting or filters; it can reimagine, expand, or modify your image based on your description.
For example:
- Take a photo of a landscape and ask Nano Banana to “turn it into a sunset beach scene.”
- Snap a selfie and prompt, “make this look like a professional headshot.”
- Capture a simple drawing and transform it into a digital artwork.
The model combines context recognition and generative design, meaning it understands your input, your photo’s subject, and your visual intent — delivering stunningly accurate results.
2. Step-by-Step: How to Use Nano Banana in Google Lens
Follow these steps to unlock Nano Banana’s creative power through your smartphone:
- Open the Google App on your Android or iOS device.
- Tap the Camera icon (next to the microphone) in the search bar.
- Point your camera and take a photo.
- Look for a “Create” bar with a small yellow banana icon — that’s Nano Banana.
- Tap it to open the creative viewfinder.
- Enter your prompt (e.g., “make this a watercolor painting” or “add autumn leaves”).
- Wait a few seconds while Nano Banana processes your request.
Your new image will appear right within Lens, and you can download, share, or refine it using additional prompts.
The feature even works for selfies, meaning you can effortlessly create themed portraits, profile pictures, or artistic visuals without professional editing tools.
3. Availability and Language Support
As of now, Nano Banana in Google Lens is available to users in India and the United States, primarily for those using English language settings.
However, Google has already announced plans to expand Nano Banana support to more countries and additional languages in the coming months — including localized prompts and culturally adaptive styles.
Nano Banana Comes to NotebookLM: The Next Step in AI Creativity
While Nano Banana’s integration in Lens focuses on visual transformation, its role in NotebookLM is entirely different — and equally revolutionary.
In NotebookLM, Nano Banana enhances the “Video Overview” feature, allowing users to turn their written notes, research, or documents into dynamic, visually styled explainer videos.
1. From Text to Video: The Nano Banana Magic
Imagine you’re studying for an exam or preparing a business presentation. With Nano Banana, you can simply upload your document and select “Generate Video Overview.”
The AI then:
- Summarizes your text intelligently,
- Converts it into a script with narration,
- Chooses appropriate visual themes, and
- Produces a complete video explainer within seconds.
This feature helps bridge the gap between text comprehension and visual learning, making it easier to retain complex topics or share engaging presentations.
2. Unique Visual Styles You Can Choose From
Nano Banana offers six stunning video styles, each designed for a specific creative tone or subject:
- 🎨 Watercolor – Perfect for artistic and educational visuals.
- 🧩 Papercraft – Great for storytelling and concept explanation.
- 🌸 Anime – Ideal for pop-culture or youthful content.
- 🧠 Whiteboard – Excellent for tutorials, learning, and presentations.
- 📸 Retro Print – Adds a nostalgic, cinematic feel.
- 🕰️ Heritage – Best for historical or cultural topics.
Whether you want a bite-sized TikTok-style clip or a long-form explainer video, Nano Banana lets you select your preferred duration and tone, giving creators full flexibility.
3. How to Use Nano Banana in NotebookLM
Here’s how to start generating videos using Nano Banana:
- Open NotebookLM and select your source material (notes, documents, or summaries).
- Tap on “Video Overview.”
- Choose the Customize (pencil) icon to access creative controls.
- Select your desired format (short/long), visual style, and tone.
- Add prompts such as:
- “Highlight the environmental benefits of this solution.”
- “Summarize this project into 3 key points.”
- Click Generate, and Nano Banana will produce a narrated, stylized video.
Within moments, your plain text transforms into a high-quality, AI-narrated video, ready to share, download, or present.
Who Can Use Nano Banana in NotebookLM Right Now?
Currently, Nano Banana’s video generation feature is rolling out to NotebookLM Pro users first. Free-tier users are expected to receive access in the coming weeks once the early testing phase concludes.
If you don’t yet see the feature in your Gemini Pro or NotebookLM account, don’t worry — Google is gradually expanding server-side access globally.
Why Nano Banana Matters for Google’s AI Future
Nano Banana is more than a quirky name — it’s a major step forward in context-aware AI creativity. Unlike most generative AI tools that require external prompts or platforms, Nano Banana integrates directly into existing Google apps, meaning it’s:
- Seamless to use,
- Always accessible,
- And deeply tied to your productivity and creativity workflow.
This move positions Google as a major player in the everyday creative AI space, offering tools for photographers, students, professionals, and content creators — all powered by its cutting-edge AI research.
Tips for Getting the Best Results with Nano Banana
To make the most out of Nano Banana, keep these tips in mind:
- Be descriptive with your prompts – The clearer your request, the better the output.
- Experiment with tone and style – Try fun variations like “in Pixar-style” or “as a fantasy painting.”
- Use follow-up prompts – You can refine outputs without restarting the process.
- Combine Lens and NotebookLM – Capture a real-world photo in Lens, then import it into NotebookLM for a multimedia project.
- Stay updated – Google frequently updates its AI models, adding more features, languages, and customization options.
The Bigger Picture: How Nano Banana Complements Gemini AI
Nano Banana works hand-in-hand with Google’s Gemini ecosystem — its family of AI models that power Search, Workspace, and Assistant features.
While Gemini focuses on language understanding and reasoning, Nano Banana specializes in visual and multimedia creativity. Together, they create a holistic AI experience — one that understands your ideas and brings them to life through both words and visuals.
Potential Future Features of Nano Banana
Based on early reports and leaks from Google’s AI development team, upcoming Nano Banana updates might include:
- Voice-to-Image prompts (describe instead of typing).
- Live editing via Google Photos.
- Direct export to YouTube Shorts or Google Drive.
- Integration into Slides and Docs for visual storytelling.
These features would make Nano Banana one of Google’s most versatile creative tools, blending AI artistry with real-world practicality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Nano Banana in Google Lens?
Nano Banana is an AI tool that allows users to edit, expand, or creatively modify photos taken with Google Lens using text or voice prompts.
2. Is Nano Banana free to use?
Yes, Nano Banana is free for most users, though advanced options in NotebookLM may require a Pro subscription.
3. Can I use Nano Banana on iPhone?
Absolutely. The feature works in the Google app on both Android and iOS devices, as long as your region and language settings support it.
4. How is Nano Banana different from ImageFX or Gemini?
While ImageFX is a standalone generator, Nano Banana is integrated within Google apps. Gemini handles reasoning and text generation, while Nano Banana focuses on creative visuals.
5. When will Nano Banana be available globally?
Google has confirmed that Nano Banana will roll out to more regions and languages in upcoming months, following initial releases in India and the US.
6. Can I use Nano Banana-generated videos commercially?
Currently, Google hasn’t specified commercial usage terms, but since the outputs are user-generated through official apps, personal and educational use is fully allowed.
7. What file formats can I export my videos in?
Videos generated in NotebookLM can be downloaded in MP4 format or shared directly to platforms like YouTube, Google Drive, or Gmail.
Final Thoughts: A Bright Future for Google’s Creative AI
The integration of Nano Banana into Google Lens and NotebookLM shows how far Google’s AI innovation has come. What was once limited to experimental models is now directly empowering millions of users to create, learn, and express visually with just a few taps.
From turning your selfies into masterpieces to transforming your notes into animated learning aids, Nano Banana blurs the line between AI creativity and human imagination — and this is just the beginning.
If you’re an early adopter or simply curious about the future of AI-powered creativity, now’s the perfect time to experiment with Nano Banana and see just how far your imagination can go.