Google seems to be quietly testing a new feature in its Gemini web builds that could change how developers and non-coders interact with app interfaces. The feature was first spotted by TestingCatalog, and it adds a “Select and Ask” button to Gemini’s Canvas feature. It will allow you to directly edit or customize visible UI elements inside a web app preview.
So with this new feature, you will be able to highlight any component, like a button or text field, and ask Gemini to modify it. For example, you could change a button’s color, remove a section, or even introduce new functionality. This makes Gemini’s Canvas tool more visual and approachable, especially for those who don’t want to touch the codebase.
Google is not the first one to test out a feature like this. Recently, Anthropic did something similar with its Claude Artifacts, where users could highlight parts of the code for changes. But Google’s implementation removes that barrier and brings precision editing straight to the UI, lowering the skill threshold for experimenting with app design and behavior.
However, I don’t think this will replace UI designers, as you will still need to understand User Interface basics and what is best suited for users. But yes, it could change the tools used by UI designers, and it could simplify the workflow for designers. As with features like this, it will be easier for UI designers to make changes as required.
More AI Experiments from Google
This is not the only update Google is working on. Recently, the tech giant started testing a redesigned Google Finance in the U.S., where AI takes center stage. The update allows you to ask finance-related questions directly and get AI-generated insights, along with advanced charting tools and real-time market data.
Apart from that, Google’s Imagen 4, which is the most advanced text-to-image model, is now generally available in the Gemini API and Google AI Studio. So all these updates make one thing clear: Google is weaving AI deeper into both productivity and consumer tools, moving beyond traditional search and code-based interactions.
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