Google has taken a significant leap forward in the AI race with the introduction of two powerful new features for its Gemini chatbot: Canvas and Audio Overview. These innovations are designed to make content creation and learning more dynamic, interactive, and accessible, providing users with unprecedented control over their projects — whether they’re writing, coding, or absorbing complex information on the go.
Canvas is a versatile, interactive workspace that lets users seamlessly draft, edit, and share both written and coding projects. It integrates directly into the Gemini app, accessible via the prompt bar on both web and mobile platforms. Users can adjust the tone, length, and formatting of their content by simply highlighting a section of text and selecting from quick refinement options — making it more concise, professional, or informal, depending on the context.
What truly sets Canvas apart is its coding capability. Google showcased how users can generate, edit, and preview HTML and React code within the workspace. For example, if a user wants to build a website feature — like an email subscription form — they can prompt Gemini to generate the initial code. They’ll then see a live preview of how the form looks and functions, and can easily tweak elements such as input fields or call-to-action buttons. Changes are instantly reflected in the preview, creating a smooth, real-time development experience. Once satisfied, users can export the finished project to Google Docs with a single click, streamlining collaboration and final delivery.
Google described this process as “simplifying the entire coding workflow,” allowing creators to stay focused on the content itself without getting bogged down by the hassle of switching between multiple applications. This approach positions Canvas as not only an AI writing assistant but also an intuitive development environment — something that could make it especially appealing to freelance creators, students, and businesses looking to prototype quickly.
Audio Overview, meanwhile, aims to transform how users interact with large, information-heavy files. This feature enables Gemini to generate spoken summaries of uploaded documents — from research papers and class notes to lengthy email chains or even Deep Research reports — providing users with a clear, concise audio recap. The idea is to make learning and information consumption more flexible, particularly for those with busy schedules. Users can listen to the overview while commuting, exercising, or handling other tasks, turning passive moments into productive ones.
The feature works by uploading the desired file and selecting the suggestion chip that appears above the prompt bar. From there, Gemini produces an audio summary, which can be shared or downloaded for offline listening. Currently, this feature supports English, but Google plans to roll it out in additional languages soon, making it more accessible to users worldwide.
Beyond the functionality, Google’s rollout of Canvas and Audio Overview underscores an increasingly competitive dynamic with OpenAI. Not only do the features resemble OpenAI’s Canvas tool, launched in October, but the naming similarities are raising eyebrows. It’s not just a battle of technology — it’s becoming a battle of branding, too. For example, Google launched an AI-powered tool called Deep Research in December, only for OpenAI to debut a similar model under the same name by February 2025. The race isn’t just about who builds the best tools, but who claims the most recognizable labels in the AI landscape.
With Canvas and Audio Overview now available globally to Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers — and more language support and advanced capabilities on the horizon — it’s clear Google is positioning Gemini as a more powerful, user-friendly alternative to ChatGPT. The next few months could see even more rapid development, especially as OpenAI and other competitors respond. For now, though, Google has delivered an impressive one-two punch, setting the stage for the next wave of AI innovation.
