Google has recently introduced an innovative feature called Canvas to its Gemini chatbot, enhancing its functionality for users involved in writing and coding. This new offering mirrors similar tools found in competing AI platforms such as OpenAI’s Canvas for ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Artifacts. Canvas presents an interactive workspace designed for users to create, modify, and share various projects.
Features of Gemini Canvas
The Canvas feature allows users to draft extensive messages, which can be edited and fine-tuned effortlessly. Users can make specific text adjustments by selecting sections of their writing and instructing Gemini to modify aspects like tone, length, and formatting. For instance, highlighting a paragraph and requesting Gemini to alter its style to be more concise or professional is possible.
Collaboration is also simplified with Canvas. Users can easily export their content to Google Docs with a single click, making it convenient to work with others on shared projects.
Programming Capabilities
Canvas extends its utility to programming by enabling users to generate and visualize code in real time. This feature supports various formats, including HTML and React, allowing users to prototype web applications efficiently. For example, users can generate the code for an email subscription form and immediately preview its appearance and functionality within their web app.
Introduction of Audio Overview
Alongside Canvas, Google has integrated the Audio Overview feature from NotebookLM into Gemini. This feature, which gained popularity for its ability to generate realistic podcast-style audio summaries, allows users to upload documents for summaries in multiple formats. Once the content is processed, it can be downloaded or shared through the Gemini app on both web and mobile platforms.
Availability
Both Canvas and Audio Overview are now available globally for free to all Gemini users. However, the code preview functionality is currently limited to the web, and the Audio Overview summaries are offered only in English.