When Google Notebook first appeared as a beta product, I thought it was a good idea but I found the interface clumsy and unforgiving. It also lacked a quick and easy access method which is necessary to make it truly a “notebook”. I came back to it from time to time as it incrementally added features and design improvements never completely convinced of its ultimate usefulness.

I read today that Google Notebook leaves beta and gets a new interface. Indeed, the new interface is nice. Add in the Firefox extension, collaboration capabilities, and the ability to export to Google Docs and now this tool is looking a lot more useful. Notebook could still could use some RSS capabilities and maybe the ability to add notes via email or text message. Or how about the ability to use it as an organizer for my Google Docs & Spreadsheets?

With Google’s acquisition of JotSpot, the best-of-breed wiki provider, it’ll be interesting to see how Notebook develops in the future. Or, as another commenter puts it, perhaps it’s “just another ’service’ to mine your data.”