Gemini expands in Colab

Google is turning Gemini into two different helpers inside Colab: one that follows notebook-specific instructions and one that teaches step by step. (blog.google) Google announced the Colab changes on April 8, 2026. Custom Instructions let notebook authors set preferences such as coding style, libraries, or class context, and Colab saves those instructions with the notebook for future chats. (blog.google) Learn Mode changes Gemini’s behavior from writing code on demand to acting more like a tutor. Google said it offers step-by-step guidance to help users build coding skills, and shared example notebooks with guided Python exercises. (blog.google) Colab is Google’s hosted notebook service for Python, data science, and machine learning work, built around the Jupyter notebook format. Putting these controls inside each notebook means the assistant can travel with the file instead of being reset every time a user opens a new chat. (colab.google, blog.google) The split reflects two common uses for coding assistants that often clash in one product. Professional users want faster output that matches their stack, while teachers and students want hints, explanations, and fewer copy-and-paste answers. (blog.google) Google is making a similar push in the main Gemini app, where it said on April 9 that Gemini can now generate interactive charts, simulations, and 3D models directly in chat. The company said those visuals replace static diagrams with objects users can manipulate while asking follow-up questions. (blog.google) Those new visual tools are tied to paid tiers. Google’s help pages say Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscribers get expanded Gemini app capabilities, and 9to5Google reported the interactive simulations and models are appearing for Pro users. (support.google.com, 9to5google.com) A third piece may be on the way outside Colab. 9to5Google reported on April 13 that beta version 17.14 of the Google app contains strings for a Gemini-powered “Your Day” feature described as a proactive feed to help users stay ahead of the day. (9to5google.com) Taken together, the April updates show Google spreading Gemini across three jobs at once: coding assistant in Colab, visual explainer in chat, and a possible daily organizer in the Google app. The common thread is less about one chatbot window and more about Gemini changing its behavior to fit the task in front of it. (blog.google, blog.google, 9to5google.com)