Just like Microsoft renamed Bing Chat to To unify its brand of generative AI, Google is doing the same with Bard and Duet AI. Services After . The name change . Google also launched a dedicated Gemini Android app, as well as a paid version of the chatbot with more enhanced features.
“Bard has been the best way for people to experience our best-in-class models firsthand,” said Google CEO Sundar Pichai. . “To reflect its advanced technology, Bard will now be simply called Gemini. It is available in 40 languages on the web and will be available in a new Gemini app on Android and the Google app on iOS.”
Those who download the Gemini Android app can actually replace Google Assistant as the default assistant on their device. So when you long-press the home button or say “Hey Google,” your phone or tablet may launch Gemini instead of Assistant. You can also make this change by registering through the Assistant.
This will activate a new conversational overlay on your screen. In addition to quick access to Gemini, the overlay will offer contextual suggestions, such as the ability to generate a description for a photo you just took or request more information about an item displayed on your screen.
You'll also be able to access commonly used Assistant features through the Gemini app, from making calls and setting timers to controlling smart home devices. Google has announced that it will bring more assistant features to Gemini in the future. This certainly makes it seem like Google is phasing out Assistant in favor of Gemini. The app also includes access to Gemini Advanced (more on that in a moment).
As for iOS, there won't be a separate Gemini app for now. Instead, you can access it through the Google app by tapping the Gemini toggle.
Gemini is available on Android and iOS in English in the US starting today. Next week, Google will begin offering access to the chatbot in more languages in English, as well as Japanese and Korean. As you might expect, Gemini will be coming to more countries and languages.
Additionally, Google is opening access to what it says is its largest and most capable AI model, Ultra 1.0, through Gemini Advanced. The company says it allows for longer, more in-depth conversations with the ability to recall the context of previous discussions. It says Gemini Advanced “is much more capable of performing highly complex tasks such as coding, logical reasoning, following nuanced instructions, and collaborating on creative projects.”
Gemini Advanced is now available in English in 150 countries and territories. To access it, you will need to register with the new . It costs $20 per month — — after a two-month free trial. With Gemini Advanced, this subscription includes everything from the Google One Premium plan, including 2TB of storage and . Subscribers will also be able to use Gemini in apps like Gmail, Docs, Slides, and Sheets in the near future (this replaces ).
It's worth noting that Google says it sought to mitigate issues like bias and dangerous content when creating Gemini Advanced and other AI products. The company claims to have performed “extensive trust and security checks, including external red teaming” (i.e., testing performed by third-party hackers) on Gemini Advanced before with reinforcement learning and fine-tuning.