Google has announced a series of updates for its AI Studio platform. The aim is to make it easier for developers to prototype and build with the Gemini API. The update includes a redesigned interface, improved prompting tools, and a collection of new starter apps that show the capabilities of Google’s Gemini models. So, let’s take a closer look at what Google is updating:
We just shipped an infinite canvas in Google AI Studio so you can quickly prototype with the Gemini API, say hello to starter apps V2!
— Logan Kilpatrick (@OfficialLoganK) April 16, 2025
The team has put so much effort into making this experience possible and it is an early glimpse of where we are going: https://t.co/0c9pE6hF9I pic.twitter.com/W5BrNSTKBo
Cleaner Interface and Easier Navigation
Google AI Studio now has a simplified UI designed with developer workflows in mind. The new layout offers a persistent top action bar, easier model testing, and faster access to key tools like API keys and changelogs, which are now grouped under a dedicated “Dashboard” tab.
According to the shared blog post, these changes are based on user feedback and are meant to streamline the process of working with large language models.
Revamped Starter Apps with a Built-In Code Editor
Google has also expanded the Starter App gallery, which has been the biggest highlight of the update. These are prebuilt examples that showcase features of Gemini 2.0 Flash and Gemini 2.5 Pro models, including multimodal inputs, code generation, image creation, and audio processing.
Moreover, all these new apps can be customized directly within the AI studio with the help of a native code editor. Interestingly, it also allows developers to fork, edit, share, and integrate the code into their own projects without leaving the platform.
New Apps Showcase Gemini Model Capabilities
The AI Studio now comes with over 10 new starter apps, and this number is expected to increase soon. Here are some of the most talked about apps:
- Video Toys: Uses Gemini 2.5 Pro to generate educational games from YouTube videos.
- Gemini OS: Lets users build apps within a retro-themed operating system shell powered by Gemini 2.5 Pro.
- GIF Maker: Allows users to remix and create GIFs with Gemini 2.0 Flash’s image generation.
- Spatial Understanding: Demonstrates bounding box visualization and segmentation features.
- Co-drawing: Enables collaborative sketching with Gemini 2.5 Pro as a drawing assistant.
These apps serve both as learning tools and as functional components that can be directly reused in production-level projects.
Streamlined Prototyping with Gemini API
All these updates make it clear that Google is positioning AI Studio as a place to start full-scale development and doesn’t want it to be just another sandbox to try out Gemini. The update is designed to help users go beyond basic prompts and move faster from experimentation to real applications.
All the new features are now live in Google AI Studio. Developers can access the updated tools and sample apps by visiting the platform and signing in with their Google account.
