Google Gemini app adds Extended thinking mode, prepares Canva, Instacart, OpenTable integrations
Google is rolling out a new "Thinking level" option in the Gemini app, allowing users to toggle between Standard and Extended modes when using Gemini 3 Flash or Gemini 3.1 Pro. The app is also preparing integrations with Canva, Instacart, and OpenTable, expanding beyond its current third-party connections.
Google Gemini App Adds Extended Thinking Mode, Prepares New Third-Party Integrations
Google is rolling out a new "Thinking level" option in the Gemini app, allowing users to select between "Standard" and "Extended" thinking modes when using Gemini 3 Flash or Gemini 3.1 Pro models. The feature does not apply to the base Thinking model.
According to 9to5Google, the thinking level selector appears at the bottom of the model picker sheet and is currently seeing a limited rollout. This implementation mirrors Google AI Studio, which offers Low, Medium, and High thinking levels.
New Third-Party Integrations Coming
The Gemini app currently supports integrations with GitHub, OpenStax, Spotify, and WhatsApp. Support documentation reveals three new integrations in preparation: Canva, Instacart, and OpenTable.
Canva integration will enable users to:
- Create designs directly from prompts
- Access existing designs, templates, and project files
- Move assets between folders
- Manage comments on designs
- Generate images in Gemini and edit them in Canva
Example prompts include creating wedding invitations with specific themes or finding Canva sheets containing budget forecasts.
Instacart integration allows users to:
- Check grocery and household item availability
- Add items directly to shopping cart via prompt
- Specify stores and product versions
- Use default saved address for nearby store searches
Users can add recipe ingredients to cart or search for specific products like vegan cheese at nearby stores.
OpenTable integration uses Reserve with Google to:
- Check restaurant availability
- Book, modify, and cancel reservations
- View existing reservations
The system can handle complex requests like finding restaurants for large groups with specific cuisine preferences and availability windows.
What This Means
The Extended thinking mode gives Gemini users more control over response depth, potentially improving performance on complex tasks at the cost of longer response times. The upcoming integrations represent Google's push to make Gemini a central interface for task completion across services, competing directly with standalone AI assistants and aggregate platforms. The inclusion of e-commerce (Instacart) and booking services (OpenTable) suggests Google is targeting practical, monetizable use cases beyond information retrieval.
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