Hey friends,
Last week I attended Google Cloud AI Summit here in Sydney (read my recap here).
Incredible event.
They had some great sessions around AI and how Google’s AI and infrastructure is enabling top companies like Canva, Uber, Heidi Health and Leonardo.Ai.
The AI agent demos were fantastic, and I was honestly impressed by how seamlessly Google ran everything.
Walking away, I felt inspired to dive even deeper into Google’s AI ecosystem.
So this week’s newsletter is dedicated to a Google Gemini feature that’s completely underrated: Gemini Canvas.
(It’s free btw)
In the past, I haven’t been a fan of Google’s AI initiatives because for such a large company, their AI has been underwhelming to say the least.
But recently, Google’s been making big leaps. Their AI models, apps and features keep improving.
Their Canvas tool actually delivers on that promise we’ve heard for years from AI: turning your ideas into apps, without knowing how to code.
So let me break it down for you.
🖥️ What Exactly Is Gemini Canvas?
Gemini Canvas is Google’s creative workspace that can “translate complex ideas into working code based on simple descriptions.”
With just text prompts, you can build:
- Interactive web apps: I vibe coded an internal tool for my team last week
- Working prototypes: test ideas before committing resources
- Custom dashboards: team trackers, sales pipelines, customer management
- Functional websites: landing pages, portfolios, info sites
- Editable documents: reports that become interactive canvases
All from a few simple prompts.
Canvas dramatically lowers the barrier to create simple apps and makes prototyping new ideas faster than ever before.
⚡️ 3 Ways I’m Using Gemini Canvas
Here are three practical ways I’ve used Canvas to streamline work:
✅ Prototype Web Apps
I used Gemini Canvas to build a basic internal web app for early testing with my team. What could have taken weeks of dev time was ready for testing using a few simple prompts. Describe your vision, let Gemini plan it out and code it for you.
✅ Turn PDFs into Interactive Pages
Canvas lets you convert any report or static document into an interactive web page. Upload a PDF, and it transforms into a clickable, editable experience, no coding required.
Use this to wow your team, because PDFs are boooooring
✅ Create Learning
Canvas supports quizzes, infographics, and audio overviews from your content. This makes it easy to turn any concept into a hands-on learning experience. I’ve used it to create interactive explainers, flashcards, and quick audio breakdowns.
Here’s something that makes Gemini Canvas even better: with one click, you can integrate Gemini AI right into your webapp! So, whatever you build, you can integrate AI directly into it without needing to be technical (not many people know about this).
🛠 How to Get Started (4 Simple Steps)
Ready to turn your next idea into working software?
- Go to gemini.google.com and sign in with your Google account
- Look for the Canvas option in the prompt text box
- Describe what you want to build: “Create a [type of app] that does [specific function]”. Feel free to change what you get, by simply prompting it with the changes you want made
Pro tip: Attach an image for style or design inspiration. Gemini will use it as reference for whatever you’re building.
You can then share what you create, with a link and send it to teammates so they can start using it right away. And if you want to tweak or extend it, you can view and edit the full source code too.
P.S. If you're struggling to find this option or craft a prompt for Canvas, reply to this email with a screenshot of your screen in Gemini and I'll help you out.
📈 Why This Matters Right Now
Most ideas die in the “how do we build this?” phase.
Gemini Canvas is free to use, which means the barrier between idea and execution just disappeared (and you now have no excuse 😜).
Your next project doesn’t need a development team, a design budget, or months of planning.
It needs a clear description i.e. your prompt, and fifteen minutes.
🫡 Final Thoughts
We’re past the point of AI tools just helping you write or summarise content.
The best ideas don’t always come from the most technical people.
Gemini Canvas makes ideas tangible.
It’s a practical step towards turning your next big idea into a real, usable app, without coding skills or waiting weeks for developers.
Give Canvas a try, and watch how quickly your vision becomes a working prototype you can actually use.
By the way, if you want me to go deeper on any one of the use cases I mentioned, reply to this email and let me know.
If you found this useful, please forward my newsletter to someone who might benefit.
That would mean the world to me.
To building faster, smarter, and simpler,
Nahid
