Two Hidden Gems for Developers from Google I/O: Project IDX and NotebookLM
This is part 4 in an ongoing series of indeterminate length that explores how tech giants envision the future of AI-powered development.
While Google I/O zoomed past over 100 AI announcements, two powerful tools for developers flew largely under the radar. These tools, Project IDX and NotebookLM, may not have headlined the keynote, but their potential to revolutionize developer productivity is significant.
Project IDX: Your Familiar Coding Environment, Now in the Cloud
Project IDX offers developers a cloud-based development environment built on an open-source version of VS Code. This means familiarity and flexibility, allowing developers to code from anywhere, at any time, with access to the vast VS Code extension ecosystem.
The true potential of Project IDX emerges when combined with Google's powerful AI models. Integration with Gemini, particularly the code-optimized Gemini Pro 1.5, positions Project IDX as a potential game-changer for future development workflows. Just like its desktop counterpart, Project IDX allows integration with various LLMs, further enhancing its coding assistance capabilities.
While other cloud-based IDEs like Cursor exist, Project IDX's seamless integration with Google's AI ecosystem and familiar VS Code experience make it a compelling option for developers seeking a powerful and flexible cloud-based development solution.
NotebookLM: Beyond Code - Architecting with AI
Beyond the lines of code lies the crucial realm of software design and architecture. This is where NotebookLM shines, offering a powerful tool to augment the pre-coding phase of development. It is so under the radar that even Gemini Product Managers didn’t know about it when I asked them to better integrate it into their strategy!
NotebookLM excels at integrating and synthesizing information from various sources. Imagine feeding it relevant books and design documents, then prompting it to evaluate your ideas and suggest improvements. This RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) approach allows for comprehensive and well-considered architectures before a single line of code is written.
While NotebookLM might not be immediately recognized for its coding potential, its ability to streamline the crucial design phase can significantly impact the quality and efficiency of the entire development process.
The Developer Experience: A Long Game
Despite their potential, Project IDX and NotebookLM face an uphill battle. Microsoft currently dominates the developer experience with its robust ecosystem of VS Code, GitHub, and Copilot. Google's track record of shifting focus and priorities raises concerns about their commitment to winning over developers in the long run.
However, Google's comprehensive AI ecosystem, including these two hidden gems, offers a glimpse into a future where AI empowers developers to build better software. If Google can maintain focus and nurture these tools, we might see a shift towards more thoughtful, well-designed software across the board.