Google AI Mode Adds Canvas, Live Search Help & New Features
▼ Summary
– Google introduced new features to AI Mode, including Canvas, which helps users create study plans and organize information in a side panel.
– Users will soon be able to upload files like class notes or syllabi to customize study guides, with Canvas rolling out to U.S. AI Mode Labs participants.
– Project Astra capabilities are being integrated into AI Mode via Search Live, enabling real-time visual and conversational interactions using Google Lens.
– AI Mode will allow users to ask questions about on-screen content, such as diagrams, and follow up with deeper queries via Lens or AI Overview.
– Google is expanding AI Mode to support PDF uploads on desktop and plans to add more file types, including Google Drive files, later this year.
Google’s AI Mode is expanding with powerful new tools designed to transform how users interact with search. The latest updates introduce Canvas for organizing study materials, real-time visual assistance through Search Live, and enhanced desktop functionality, all aimed at making complex research more intuitive.
One standout addition is Canvas, a dynamic workspace that helps users structure information across multiple sessions. Imagine preparing for an exam, simply click “Create Canvas,” and AI Mode begins assembling a study plan in a side panel. Users can refine the output with follow-up prompts, tailoring it to their needs. Soon, uploading files like syllabi or lecture notes will further personalize these guides. Currently rolling out to U.S. participants in the AI Mode Labs program, this feature promises to streamline learning and research.
Another game-changer is Search Live, which integrates Project Astra capabilities with Google Lens. This turns the camera into a real-time learning tool, letting users point their phone at objects or text for instant explanations. As Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google Search, describes it, the feature acts like “having an expert on speed dial” who can interpret visual context and provide conversational answers. Available this week for U.S. mobile users in the Labs program, Search Live bridges the gap between physical and digital inquiry.
Desktop users aren’t left behind. Soon, Lens in AI Mode will analyze on-screen content, whether it’s a geometry diagram or a dense research paper. By selecting “Ask Google about this page,” users receive AI-generated overviews with key insights, followed by the option to dive deeper with additional questions. PDF support is also expanding, allowing detailed queries about uploaded documents, perfect for students reviewing lecture slides or professionals dissecting reports. Later this year, compatibility will extend to Google Drive files and other formats.
These upgrades reflect Google’s push to make search more interactive, blending AI-powered analysis with real-world applications. Whether studying, troubleshooting, or exploring new topics, the enhanced AI Mode aims to deliver context-aware assistance at every step.
(Source: TechCrunch)
