Gemini App Rolling Out Writing & Coding ‘Canvas,’ Audio Overview Podcasts

Following last week’s model updates, Google is rolling out Audio Overviews and a new Canvas tool to the Gemini app. 

As popularized by NotebookLM and Daily Listen, Audio Overviews are coming to the Gemini app. When you upload documents or slides, there will be a new suggestion chip above the Ask Gemini prompt bar. You can also generate a podcast-style discussion between two AI hosts from a Deep Research report. 

Gemini will “summarize the material, draw connections between topics, engage in a dynamic back-and-forth and provide unique perspectives.” Google reminds users today that Audio Overviews “reflect the sources you upload or are generated in Deep Research,” and are “not comprehensive or objective views of a topic.”

Audio Overviews are available in the Gemini app and gemini.google.com, with the ability to share and download them. They are rolling out starting today to free Gemini and Advanced users around the world “in English, with more languages coming soon.”

Meanwhile, Gemini is also adding a “Canvas” feature that gives you an “interactive space to create and edit text documents “with changes appearing in real-time.” On desktop, a new “Canvas” button will appear in the prompt bar alongside Deep Research. Upon entering a prompt, you’ll switch to a dual-pane UI on desktop with the chat appearing at the left and the Canvas next to it.

You can generate “high-quality first drafts” that can be edited by highlighting a particular section and entering another prompt or using on-screen controls:

• Length: Very short, Short, Long, Very Long
• Tone: Very casual, Casual, Formal, Very Formal
• Suggest edits: Gemini will recommend suggestions that you can accept.

Canvas can be used as a basic text editor, while Google touts use cases like speeches, essays, blog posts, and reports. Once done, it can be easily exported to Google Docs.

You can also use Canvas for coding, with Gemini able to “generate and preview your HTML/React code and other web app prototypes to see a visual representation of your design.” These code previews are available on the Gemini web app.

For example, say you want to create an email subscription form for your website. You can ask Gemini to generate the HTML for the form and then preview how it will appear and function within your web app. Easily request changes to input fields or add call-to-action buttons, instantly see the updated preview, and then share your creations with others.

As you ask Gemini for changes, the preview will be updated. Google frames this as “creating and editing your code and design[ing] in one place, without the hassle of switching between multiple applications.” Meanwhile, you can share those live previews via URLs.

Canvas is also rolling out globally starting today for Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers in all languages. In the coming weeks, Canvas will also be available on mobile.

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