Gemini Ultra Launches; Bard Officially Renamed to Gemini 197

Google announced a major rebranding of its AI chat bot and assistant Bard on Thursday, including a new app and subscription options. Bard, the main competitor to Openai's ChatGPT, is now called Gemini, sharing its name with the suite of AI models that power the chatbot.

Google Gemini changes:

- Interface optimization: The Gemini user interface has been optimized to reduce visual distractions, improve readability, and simplify navigation.

- Gemini Advanced paid plan: Provides access to Google's most powerful AI model, Ultra 1.0, capable of performing complex tasks such as coding, logical reasoning, and creative collaboration.

- Gemini Advanced will introduce new features and exclusive capabilities, such as enhanced multimodal abilities, programming features, and the ability to upload and deeply analyze files.

- The Gemini app will launch, allowing users to download and use Gemini on their phones for learning, writing, planning activities, and more. The app integrates with other Google apps (such as Gmail, Maps, and YouTube) and supports interaction via text, voice, or images.

Specific changes: Gemini is the ideal way to directly experience Google's cutting-edge AI technology. All the collaboration features you know and love still work well and will continue to improve in the new Gemini era. In addition, we've improved the interface to reduce visual distractions, enhance readability, and simplify navigation.

Why: We're committed to giving everyone direct access to the power of Google AI. Starting this week, all Gemini users in supported countries/regions using supported languages will have access to Google's most powerful family of AI models. To better fulfill this commitment, we've decided to rename Bard to Gemini.

Have easy conversations and get creative inspiration in the Gemini app

Specific changes: Harness the power of Google AI on your phone in new ways—learn new things, write thank-you notes, plan activities, and much more. Gemini integrates with Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube, making it easy to handle various tasks on your phone. Whether it's text, voice, or images, you can interact with it.

To chat with Gemini on an Android device, download the Gemini app from the Google Play Store. For iOS devices, try Gemini in the Google app.

The Gemini app will roll out in English on select devices in the United States, and will soon be available globally in Japanese, Korean, and English (excluding the UK, Switzerland, EEA countries/regions, and related territories), with more countries/regions and languages to follow soon.

Why: This update is a step toward realizing our vision of building the most helpful AI assistant for the world.

Gemini is now available in Canada

Specific changes: You can now use Gemini in Canada open in a new window in all supported languages, with English and French of course included. Thursday's launch is available to users in over 150 countries and regions, but is currently limited to English. Google plans to quickly expand language services to include Japanese, Korean, and other languages.

Why: As we continue to build Gemini responsibly, its service availability will gradually expand to more countries and regions.