Google has recently made significant strides in its AI offerings by rebranding its Bard AI chatbot as Gemini. This move comes alongside the launch of a dedicated Android app for Gemini and seamless integration into the iOS Google app.
Google’s AI Chatbot Bard is Now Gemini
To streamline its generative AI branding, Google has opted to rename its Bard and Duet AI services as Gemini, aligning them with its multimodal AI model. This transition aims to maintain consistency across Google’s AI products and enhance user experience.
Rebranding and New Features
The rebranding isn’t just cosmetic; it also brings forth a range of new features. The Gemini Android app, for instance, offers users the option to replace Google Assistant with Gemini as their default assistant. This allows for a seamless transition to Gemini’s conversational overlay, providing contextual suggestions and access to commonly used Assistant features.
Introduction of Gemini Advanced
Gemini Advanced, the upgraded version of Google’s AI chatbot, is available for $20 per month after a two-month free trial. This subscription includes access to Ultra 1.0, Google’s largest AI model, along with 2TB of storage and a VPN service from the Google One AI Premium Plan. Users can also expect seamless integration of Gemini into various Google applications.
Accessing Gemini on Mobile
One of the main goals of Google is to make Gemini accessible to as many users as possible, especially on mobile devices. To achieve this, Google has developed two ways to access Gemini on smartphones and tablets: a new Android app and an iOS Google integration.
New Android App
Google has released a new app for Android devices, called Gemini Chat. The app allows users to chat with Gemini directly from their phones or tablets, without having to open a web browser or a Google app. The app has a simple and intuitive interface, where users can type or speak their messages, and see Gemini’s responses in text or voice. The app also supports emojis, stickers, and gifs, to make the conversations more fun and expressive.
The app also lets users access Gemini’s features and settings, such as choosing the tone, appearance, and voice of the chatbot, or asking it to perform tasks like searching, translating, or playing videos. The app also has a feedback system, where users can rate Gemini’s performance and suggest improvements.
The Gemini Chat app is free to download and use and does not require any registration or login. Users can start chatting with Gemini right away, and enjoy unlimited conversations. The app is compatible with Android devices running version 6.0 or higher.
iOS Google Integration
For iOS users, Google has not created a separate app for Gemini, but instead has integrated it with the existing Google app. The Google app is a multipurpose app that allows users to access various Google services and products, such as Search, Maps, News, Photos, and YouTube. The app also has a voice assistant feature, called Google Assistant, which can answer questions, perform tasks, and control smart devices.
Now, the Google app also has a chat feature, where users can chat with Gemini. Users can access the chat feature by tapping on the chat icon on the bottom right corner of the app, or by saying “Hey Google, chat with Gemini”. The chat interface is similar to the Gemini Chat app, where users can type or speak their messages, and see Gemini’s responses in text or voice. The chat feature also supports emojis, stickers, gifs, and Gemini’s features and settings.
The chat feature is free for all iOS users who have the Google app installed on their devices. The app is compatible with iOS devices running version 12.0 or higher.
What Does This Mean for Google?
Google’s rebranding of Bard AI to Gemini signifies its commitment to advancing AI technology and providing users with more sophisticated tools and services. By consolidating its AI offerings under the Gemini umbrella, Google aims to streamline user interaction and foster deeper engagement with its AI models.
The introduction of Gemini Advanced underscores Google’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities. With its emphasis on complex tasks and contextual understanding, Gemini Advanced represents a significant leap forward in AI innovation.
Furthermore, Google’s move towards integrating Gemini across Android and iOS platforms positions it as a formidable competitor in the AI landscape. As it continues to refine and expand its AI ecosystem, Google is poised to challenge other tech giants, including Microsoft, in the realm of AI-driven innovation.
