Google Gemini has gotten its fair share of upgrades lately. From Gemini Flash-Lite, to NotebookLM's Video Overviews to even Lyria 3, the AI music generator inside the chat, Gemini is clearly a powerful AI assistant.
But I couldn't wait to give the latest update to Gemini Canvas a try, now that it offers AI Mode. So what can it do? Content creation that allows you to draft and edit documents, of course. Plus, you can do some coding, educate yourself on any topic imaginable, draw/edit images and even do some planning for your tasks & events.
I chose to put Canvas’s planning prowess to the ultimate test to see if it’s really worth using whenever I’m looking for something fun to do. I hopped into Gemini, clicked on Tools, activated Canvas, and used it to find activities in NYC that won’t cost me an arm and a leg. Then I asked it to build an itinerary for a destination vacation to Osaka, Japan.
Here’s how it all came together.
Canvas in AI Mode put a list together of the perfect things to do in my city
Having fun in New York City usually entails spending an entire paycheck to get the most out of whatever you’re planning to do.
I love Broadway plays, enjoy eating at a highly rated eatery I came across on my Instagram Discover page, and love spending hours browsing video games & books & vinyl at random Mom & Pop stores. But for my next journey through the city, I’m planning to pursue some free activities instead. So I made good use of this prompt to find those pursuits via Canvas in Gemini: “Build a list of the 10 best free activities to do in New York City this weekend.”
Canvas in AI mode did its thing by compiling a list of said events to check out from March 6 to March 8. Since Friday, March 6, has already passed, I plucked four happenings off of Canvas’ list that appealed to my love of museums, music, clothing, and LEGO.
Take a look at Canvas’ recommendations to see if they fall in line with what you’re trying to do as a local New Yorker this weekend:
- UNIQLO Bryant Park Grand Opening (510 5th Avenue at 42nd St, Friday – Sunday, starting at 10:00 AM): To celebrate their new flagship, UNIQLO is hosting a weekend of festivities. Expect free giveaways, Japanese cultural performances, and interactive installations
- The Jim Irsay Collection at Christie's (Christie’s at Rockefeller Center, Friday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM): A rare, museum-quality public exhibition of historic music and pop-culture memorabilia. You can see Kurt Cobain’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit" guitar and Ringo Starr’s drum kit from the Beatles' debut on Ed Sullivan
- Unclaimed Baggage "Found Report" Pop-Up (2 Rivington Street in the Lower East Side, Friday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM): The famous retailer of lost airline luggage is hosting a surreal pop-up shop and museum. You can browse (or buy) bizarre items found in lost suitcases and check out their "museum of oddities”
- LEGO Star Wars "SMART Play" Experience (Iron23 at 29 W 23rd St in the Flatiron District, Saturday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM): A massive interactive experience for fans of all ages. This event features life-sized LEGO builds, hands-on building stations, and photo ops with Star Wars characters
Some of the other tasks Canvas in Gemini completed in relation to my request really impressed me. It included a “Quick Tips” section that gave me all the information I needed about locking in RSVPs for certain events, keeping the change to “Daylight Savings Time” in mind (it’s Sunday on March 8 at 2:00 AM folks, don’t forget!), and what the weather is going to be like.
Canvas in Gemini also went the extra mile by creating an easy-to-read infographic that included a wide range of helpful statistics, such as a categorical breakdown of the event types and an itinerary that displays each day & what to do on them.
It also did an amazing job with global activities
Sticking with the whole itinerary theme, I opted to ask Gemini to build me one for a week-long stay in Osaka, Japan (I’ve been to Tokyo already, so it’s about time I switch it up for my next visit to Japan!).
Canvas must know I’m a dedicated foodie because it outlined a week that encapsulated the "eat 'til you drop" spirit of Osaka. Besides all the food recommendations it made, Canvas in Gemini also made sure to include famous landmarks worth visiting and day trips that would be perfect for cities like Kyoto and Nara.
It also pointed out which card I should obtain to make my transit rides a less cumbersome experience, what devices I should pick up if I want good smartphone/laptop internet connectivity, and the types of restaurants I should keep an eye out for that usually have shorter line queues.
Here’s a look at the first three days and evening plans for what Canvas lovingly referred to as “Osaka: The Ultimate 7-Day 'Kitchen of the World’ Itinerary:
- Day 1 - Neon Lights & Street Food in Minami and Namba: Dive into Dotonbori. Take the classic photo with the Glico Running Man, then go on a "Kuinodaore" (eat 'til you drop) mission: try Takoyaki from a street stall and Okonomiyaki at a local sit-down spot
- Day 2 - History & High Views in the Osaka Castle Area: Visit the Umeda Sky Building at sunset. The "Floating Garden Observatory" offers a 360-degree open-air view of the city skyline
- Day 3 - Theme Park Thrills at Universal Studios Japan: Spend the day at Super Nintendo World (ensure you get an Area Timed Entry Ticket via the app early!) and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Like my previous request, Canvas in AI mode made sure to give me the option to generate an infographic based on my Osaka, Japan itinerary. But it also allows users to turn their inquiries into a web page, a quiz, and even flashcards (those last two options are better suited for professors, students, and researchers).
The takeaway
Canvas is already a powerful AI tool for tasks like writing, planning and coding. Now that it’s integrated with AI Mode, those capabilities are easier to access and use in everyday workflows.
I plan to keep experimenting with this interactive workspace. Because it’s built directly into the Gemini app, Canvas makes it simple to collaborate with the AI on a document, project or prototype instead of relying on a standard chat window.
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