Google has released a new Mac application called Google AI Edge Foresight that competes directly with the popular local-first note-taking tool Granola. The software runs entirely offline on Apple Silicon devices by using the on-device EmbeddingGemma 2 model to capture meeting notes across various applications. It features a split-screen interface where users can write shorthand on one side while viewing AI-generated summaries on the other. The app allows manual transcription alongside automatic recording and lets users chat with a Gemma 4-powered assistant to query meeting content. Users can also upload documents such as PDFs, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office files to build a personal knowledge base that the tool references in real time.
This release matters because it demonstrates how Google is moving its smaller Gemma models to run locally without relying on cloud connectivity. The company previously tested a similar dictation tool that did not reach mainstream adoption, suggesting this new version might primarily showcase technical capability rather than immediate market dominance. However, Google could eventually release a consumer version integrated with video calling apps via its Gemini suite while using cloud models instead. The meeting note-taking market remains crowded with recent entries from Wispr, Calendly, and Superhuman following its acquisition of Fathom.
- Optimised for Apple Silicon hardware
- Supports PDFs, Google Docs, and Markdown files
- Runs completely without an internet connection
