First Look at ChatGPT-4o with Canvas: A Deep Dive into its Strengths and Weaknesses

Introduction

Today, we're diving into a first impressions review of the newly released ChatGPT-4o with Canvas. We'll explore its capabilities, particularly in comparison to tools like V0 by Vercel and Claude, focusing on its strengths, weaknesses, and practical use cases. If you're eager to see if this new tool can revolutionize your workflow, or if you're trying to decide between various AI coding assistants, then you're in the right place!

This review will cover:

• Initial impressions of ChatGPT-4o with Canvas.

• Comparisons with similar tools.

• In-depth look at code generation and its shortcomings.

• Exploration of its document editing and writing prowess.

• Potential future applications and API integration.

Let's jump right in!

Initial Assessment

My first encounter with ChatGPT-4o with Canvas reveals that while it has potential, particularly in document creation, its coding capabilities are somewhat limited. It appears to work best with isolated components rather than generating complex, multi-file applications, which could be a significant drawback for many. Tools like Cursor tend to be better for stringing together full apps, while this seems designed for single-file, small use cases.

Code Generation: A Mixed Bag

To test its code generation capabilities, I began by asking ChatGPT-4o with Canvas to create a prompt for itself and then develop an Obsidian markdown text editor. The model was aware of what Obsidian is, making it a useful test case. Unfortunately, it didn't generate a full application; instead, it provided a single file without any associated file structure or supporting files.

This outcome contrasted with both Claude and V0, which readily generated multiple files, showcasing a more comprehensive approach to app development. This is an essential distinction. Tools like V0 excel at creating Next.js components in isolation, which are useful but may not lead to a full application.

Testing with a Complex Scenario

To push the limits, I tasked ChatGPT-4o with Canvas to create a Google Calendar clone, complete with drag-and-drop functionality, a week view, and all necessary details. I requested the output to be production-ready, using TypeScript, the Next.js app router, Tailwind for styling, and Shadcn for UI components. The result was again a single large file, not a multi-file project, which confirmed my suspicion about its limitations in structuring complex applications.

This one-file approach contrasts sharply with other tools that often generate multiple, well-organized files for more extensive projects. The experience indicates that ChatGPT-4o with Canvas is more of a collaborative coding tool rather than a full code generator for large applications.

Leveraging OpenAI's 01 preview for Complex Tasks

In the past, I've found OpenAI’s 01 preview to be incredibly effective for debugging and developing complex features. This involved packing up files and directories to provide a holistic view of the project, a strategy that’s much more comprehensive than what ChatGPT-4o with Canvas offers. 01 preview allows for detailed system prompts and user interactions, providing a granular approach to problem-solving, particularly when dealing with complex server and client state issues.

Cursor, while effective, charges 40 cents per request, making 01 preview a more economical choice for complex, large-scale tasks. To optimize this, I'd use the system instructions section in the playground to fine-tune rules and system settings, enhancing the subsequent interactions with 01 preview.

Document Editing & Writing: A Game Changer

While the code generation left me underwhelmed, the document editing and writing capabilities of ChatGPT-4o with Canvas stood out. I tested it by asking it to help me draft a newsletter, and the results were impressive. The tool allows real-time style changes and the ability to elaborate on topics, pulling in sources and providing supportive statistics.

Advanced Writing Features

The tool also offers functionalities to:

• Adjust the length of the text

• Re-write content to make it better

• Apply styling like italics and bold

• Add tables

• Adjust reading levels (e.g., for kindergarteners)

• Add a final polish to the text

These capabilities are incredibly helpful for bloggers and content creators, potentially making tools like the Hemingway editor less relevant. The ability to add emojis (although it can be a bit excessive) and the ease with which you can tweak and fine-tune writing make this a great tool.

Exploring the Network Requests: Insights into the Model

I was curious to uncover how the tool works under the hood, so I inspected the network requests. When I asked it to port the code to Python, I discovered that the model name is "conversation-40-canm." This tidbit could be useful for those who want to directly access the model via APIs in the future.

Diving into the request data, I saw that the tool sends a user prompt and context (including the current chat ID) to create a new document, such as rewriting the code in Python. The response includes necessary dependencies and instructions, such as installing Python dependencies. This reveals the behind-the-scenes processing the tool utilizes.

Conclusion: A Tale of Two Capabilities

In summary, ChatGPT-4o with Canvas shows promise, but it’s important to understand its current strengths and limitations.

Coding: Needs Improvement

• It works best with isolated components and not complex multi-file applications.

• It lacks the ability to create complete, structured applications like some of its rivals.

• Tools like Cursor and 01 preview remain superior for complex coding and debugging.

Document Editing & Writing: Truly Impressive

• It excels at creating and editing written content.

• The writing features are very powerful, with options to modify style, length, and reading level.

• The ability to easily modify, expand, and fine-tune writing will be a game-changer for bloggers and content creators.

I’m particularly intrigued by the potential of an API for this tool. The inline editing, comment suggestions, and smooth UI could enhance many products. I look forward to seeing how it evolves, especially in terms of API accessibility and how it can better help creators in their daily workflow.

If you found this first impression review helpful, be sure to give this a like! And I'll see you in the next video.