Google Taps Into AI-Driven ‘Vibe-Coding' With New App Builder Opal
Opal caters to both technical and non-technical users, offering an intuitive interface where ideas typed in plain English are translated into functional applications. Once a prompt is submitted, various Google AI models collaborate behind the scenes to bring the concept to life. From there, users can enter a visual editor that maps out the app's development workflow, including inputs, outputs, and intermediate logic steps.
The visual workflow feature makes it easier to understand how the app functions, especially for those who aren't fluent in traditional programming. Users can tweak their original prompt, refine specific steps in the process, or add new ones from the toolbar — all within a user-friendly graphical interface.
Another standout feature of Opal is its social and collaborative design. Once an app is created, users can publish it online and share a link for others to test it out using their Google accounts. This makes Opal not just a creation tool, but also a platform for showcasing and remixing apps. A public gallery of shared creations lets users browse, fork, and customize existing apps, encouraging experimentation and creativity.
Google's new AI-powered app builder enters a competitive field, joining the ranks of tools from companies like Canva, Figma, and Replit, all of which aim to make app development more accessible. These platforms have focused on eliminating the barriers of code for everyday users — and Opal is Google's most visual and user-centric response yet.
While Google's AI Studio already offers capabilities for building apps with text input, Opal distinguishes itself with its drag-and-drop visual style. It's designed to appeal to those who may have previously been intimidated by software development but are excited to bring their ideas to life in a simpler, more approachable way.
The growing popularity of vibe-coding has attracted both startup innovation and investor attention, and Google's entry into this arena with Opal signals its intent to stay ahead of the curve. It reflects the tech giant's broader strategy of harnessing AI to streamline complex tasks and bring more people into the fold of digital creation.
As Opal continues its experimental rollout, its impact could be significant — not just in redefining who gets to build apps, but in shaping the future of user-centric, AI-assisted development. With tools like Opal, the line between creators and coders continues to blur, opening up new possibilities for innovation and expression.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
34 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead
Is Google's AI Overviews Causing a Drop in Website Traffic? News Outlets and Media Feel the Pressure From Google Search Changes Live Events Traffic Shifts: Who's Gaining and Who's Losing Valuable Clicks: Why AI Responses Still Drive Engagement AI Mode Launch: Changing How We Search FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Google is pushing back against recent reports that its AI-powered search features are hurting website traffic, as per a report. The tech giant published a blog post on Wednesday, which was written by VP and Head of Google Search, that said click volume across the platform has remained 'relatively stable' compared with the same time last year, though some types of websites are seeing gains while others are seeing comments come just weeks after asuggested that users are 'less likely' to click on links when presented with, known as, which appear at the top of search results, as reported by The Verge. Google disputes those findings, arguing that many third-party studies rely on 'flawed methodologies,' according to the READ: Candace Owens bets $300,000 Brigitte Macron is male — even lawsuit can't stop her claim The findings matter because changes to Google Search have already sent ripples through the, as per the Verge report. A Wall Street Journal report detailed how outlets like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seenfollowing the rise of AI features such aswhich has forced some media organisations to reduce staff, as per the report. Independent websites have also struggled to maintain visibility in search results due to Google's algorithms, according to The Verge READ: New driving rule could cost you big — what every American motorist must know before September 1 According to Reid, AI is changing how users search, but not necessarily reducing engagement, reported The Verge. She pointed out that there are 'decreased traffic to some sites and increased traffic to others,' while "websites with forums, videos, podcasts, and authentic voices benefitting the most," as per the per The Verge report, users are also more likely to visit websites that contain in-depth reviews, original posts, or thoughtful READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? Reid highlighted that, 'We continue to send billions of clicks to websites every day and believe that Search's value exchange with the web remains strong,' as quoted in The Verge also noted that while some users might not click on citations in AI Overviews, those who do tend to spend more time on the site exploring a topic in depth, according to the report. She explained that, 'An AI response might provide the lay of the land, but people click to dive deeper and learn more, and when they do, these clicks are more valuable,' as quoted by The tech giant's comments come as Google rolled out AI Mode to all users in the United States, a feature that functions like a chatbot within search, according to the report. Despite concerns from digital publishers, Google is pressing ahead, testing new AI-curated search results pages that aim to reshape how people discover information online, as per The Verge Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results to provide quick media organizations like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seen declines in traffic, partly due to AI-driven changes in search, as per The Verge report.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead
Google AI search impact on website traffic : Google is pushing back against recent reports that its AI-powered search features are hurting website traffic, as per a report. The tech giant published a blog post on Wednesday, which was written by VP and Head of Google Search Liz Reid , that said click volume across the platform has remained 'relatively stable' compared with the same time last year, though some types of websites are seeing gains while others are seeing declines. Is Google's AI Overviews Causing a Drop in Website Traffic? Reid's comments come just weeks after a Pew Research report suggested that users are 'less likely' to click on links when presented with Google's AI-generated summaries , known as AI Overviews , which appear at the top of search results, as reported by The Verge. Google disputes those findings, arguing that many third-party studies rely on 'flawed methodologies,' according to the report. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program ALSO READ: Candace Owens bets $300,000 Brigitte Macron is male — even lawsuit can't stop her claim by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo News Outlets and Media Feel the Pressure From Google Search Changes The findings matter because changes to Google Search have already sent ripples through the digital media industry , as per the Verge report. A Wall Street Journal report detailed how outlets like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seen traffic declines following the rise of AI features such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, which has forced some media organisations to reduce staff, as per the report. Independent websites have also struggled to maintain visibility in search results due to Google's algorithms, according to The Verge report. ALSO READ: New driving rule could cost you big — what every American motorist must know before September 1 Live Events Traffic Shifts: Who's Gaining and Who's Losing According to Reid, AI is changing how users search, but not necessarily reducing engagement, reported The Verge. She pointed out that there are 'decreased traffic to some sites and increased traffic to others,' while "websites with forums, videos, podcasts, and authentic voices benefitting the most," as per the report. As per The Verge report, users are also more likely to visit websites that contain in-depth reviews, original posts, or thoughtful analyses. ALSO READ: As the July jobs report paints a grim picture, 114 companies plan layoffs in August - is yours on the list? Valuable Clicks: Why AI Responses Still Drive Engagement Reid highlighted that, 'We continue to send billions of clicks to websites every day and believe that Search's value exchange with the web remains strong,' as quoted in The Verge report. Reid also noted that while some users might not click on citations in AI Overviews, those who do tend to spend more time on the site exploring a topic in depth, according to the report. She explained that, 'An AI response might provide the lay of the land, but people click to dive deeper and learn more, and when they do, these clicks are more valuable,' as quoted by The Verge. AI Mode Launch: Changing How We Search The tech giant's comments come as Google rolled out AI Mode to all users in the United States, a feature that functions like a chatbot within search, according to the report. Despite concerns from digital publishers, Google is pressing ahead, testing new AI-curated search results pages that aim to reshape how people discover information online, as per The Verge report. FAQs What are AI Overviews in Google? AI Overviews are AI-generated summaries that appear at the top of search results to provide quick insights. How has AI affected news outlets? Some media organizations like Business Insider, The Washington Post, and HuffPost have seen declines in traffic, partly due to AI-driven changes in search, as per The Verge report.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Trump Cracks Down On Foreign Students, College Applications Rise Outside US
LONDON: In China, wait times for US visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the US, and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trump's administration has been pressuring US colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. The US government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants' social media accounts. The US remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognising opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on US universities - and the nation's economy - may be significant. New international enrollment in the US could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the US economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets. As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The country's new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas, allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional "big four" English-speaking destinations in higher education - the US, UK, Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the UK this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the US also reached nearly 8,000 students - an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the UK grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the US, Canada and Europe. "But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting," he said. Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for university places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the US or the UK. "Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19," Kwong said. "But it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the US" Some Asian families have told him the U.S. is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties; many are still waiting for US visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the US. But she is also looking into other options, "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs," said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the US, the city's leader, John Lee, has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time. Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the US and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost for institutional data and research. Countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the US. Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions' satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubai's private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the US for college. "Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard," she said. "But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying." Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped US universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia. "All of a sudden, US colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access," Palm said, "because you have students who want to come to the US and can't." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
