Google has said it is rebranding its Bard chatbot to Gemini, alongside the launch of a standalone Gemini app for Android devices. Additionally, the tech giant announced the integration of all its Duet AI functionalities within Google Workspace under the Gemini brand. Also, the company unveiled the public release of Gemini Ultra 1.0, which is touted as the most extensive and advanced version of Google's large language model (LLM).
Starting today, Gemini will be accessible in English across more than 150 countries and territories. Gemini Advanced will be included in the Google One AI Premium Plan, priced at $19.99 per month, with a complimentary two-month trial period.
Gemini Replaces Google Assistant
Gemini's mobile apps are likely to be where most users first encounter the new tool. Upon downloading the new app on Android, users have the option to set Gemini as their default assistant, thus, effectively replacing Google Assistant. This means Gemini will respond when users say, “Hey Google” or long-press the home button.
While it appears that Google isn't entirely eliminating Assistant, the company has been shifting its focus away from Assistant for some time now, clearly indicating its belief in Gemini as the future. Sissie Hsiao, who leads Bard (now Gemini) at Google, remarked, “I think it’s a super important first step towards building a true AI assistant—one that is conversational, multimodal, and more helpful than ever before.”
Google Introduces Gemini Advanced
Bard has been the best way for people to directly experience our most capable models. To reflect the advanced tech at its core, Bard will now simply be called Gemini, Google annouced. It is available in 40 languages on the web, and is coming to a new Gemini app on Android and on the Google app on iOS.
"The version with Ultra will be called Gemini Advanced, a new experience far more capable at reasoning, following instructions, coding, and creative collaboration. For example, it can be a personal tutor, tailored to your learning style. Or it can be a creative partner, helping you plan a content strategy or build a business plan.
"You can start using Gemini Advanced by subscribing to the new Google One AI Premium plan, which offers the best of Google’s AI features in a single place. This premium plan builds off the popular Google One service offering expanded storage and exclusive product features," Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, said in a statement.
Adding Gemini’s Capabilities To More Google Products
Gemini models are also coming to products that people and businesses use every day, including Workspace as well as Google Cloud.
Workspace: Already, more than 1 million people are using features like Help me write to enhance their productivity and creativity through Duet AI. Duet AI will become Gemini for Workspace, and soon consumers with the Google One AI Premium plan can use Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Meet.
Google Cloud: For Cloud customers, Duet AI will also become Gemini in the coming weeks. Gemini will help companies boost productivity, developers code faster, and organizations to protect themselves from cyber attacks, along with countless other benefits.