Quick Take: Google’s creative space in the Gemini app, Canvas, just got a power-up thanks to Gemini 2.5 models. You can now use it to spin up working code for apps, design web pages, create slick visual briefs, and even generate AI-hosted audio summaries – all from simple descriptions. Plus, it now plays nice with Deep Research reports.
Canvas: More Than Just a Pretty Space
So right now Canvas can:
Whip up web pages. Canvas will help you generate pages featuring a variety of engaging elements like information cards, charts, and other bits and pieces to make them look the part.
Craft visual briefs. The idea is to organize information into a structured format with easy-to-navigate sections, “chunks” of info, lists, and visuals to make dense topics less of a headache.
Generate audio overviews. This feature transforms your content into engaging AI-hosted discussions in over 45 languages. Think of it as an instant podcast for your docs, making it easier to consume complex info, especially if you’re multitasking or on the move.
And of course, last but not least – vibe code your apps.
Deep Research Joins the Canvas Party
Importantly (for this piece at least!) Google has also integrated Deep Research.
You can now import, edit, and refine those comprehensive Deep Research reports directly within Canvas before you even think about exporting them to Docs for further collaboration. This makes Canvas feel more like a central hub for AI-assisted content creation and refinement.
To access these new powers, you just hit “Create” in Canvas and choose whether you want to turn your content into a web page, visual brief, quiz (yep, quizzes too – more on that in another announcement, apparently), or an audio overview.
The Fine Print: Who, What, and How
Now for the important caveats.
If you’re a Google Workspace business or education user, there are some sharing quirks. You can’t directly share content created in Canvas. However, if a user with a personal account shares a link with you, you’ll be able to open it. But that’s about it – no asking Gemini to refine the content or other fancy actions for Workspace users on shared personal content.
And if you’re using Canvas to create an app that includes Workspace data, you won’t be able to preview it directly in Canvas. If your app idea doesn’t touch Workspace data (like “Create a tic tac toe app”), then previewing should work fine.
Getting Your Hands On It
For end-users, you can jump into Canvas from the Gemini app (gemini.google.com) by selecting “Canvas” from the input bar. As for availability, it’s pretty broad across Google Workspace editions, including various Business, Enterprise, Education, Frontline, Essentials, and Nonprofits tiers. It’s also available for Workspace customers who have the Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education, or Gemini Education Premium add-ons.
