Google has expanded the reach of its Gemini app, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence AI chatbot, and now made it accessible in more than 150 countries and territories globally, including in India. This comes exactly a week after Google said it is rebranding its Bard chatbot to Gemini, alongside the launch of a standalone Gemini app for Android devices.
Since its launch, the Gemini app for Android has been garnering traction due to its innovative functionalities. Now, with support for English, Korean and Japanese languages, the Gemini app caters to a diverse audience, enhancing its accessibility and appeal. As stated on Google's support page, the expansion to more than 150 countries is intended to democratize AI-driven conversations, making them accessible to a worldwide audience.
While there isn't a standalone Gemini app for iOS, iPhone users can now tap into Gemini's capabilities via a toggle within the Google app, granting them access to the chatbot's functionality. In order to use the Gemini app, Android users need a device with at least 4GB of RAM and running on Android 12 or newer versions of Google's operating system (OS).
Likewise, iPhone users with iOS 16 or later can engage with the chatbot via the Google app by toggling the feature in the top-right corner. Currently, the app supports English, Japanese, and Korean languages.
The global rollout of Gemini commenced and is anticipated to unfold over the coming days, facilitating seamless integration of the chatbot into users' digital interactions worldwide. To access Gemini, users need to be signed in to a personal Google Account or a Workspace account with the feature enabled by the administrator.
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's 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.
"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.