In a bold move to elevate its AI capabilities, Google has reimagined its renowned generative AI bot, Bard, as Gemini, aligning the software with its advanced AI model of the same name. This transformation comes hand in hand with the introduction of Gemini Advanced, a premium subscription service catering to consumers seeking top-tier AI assistance.
Gemini Advanced offers users exclusive access to Google’s most extensive AI model, Gemini Ultra, for a monthly fee of $19.99, bundled with Google’s comprehensive cloud storage of 2TB. Moreover, subscribers can anticipate forthcoming integrations of Gemini across various Google platforms such as Docs, Gmail, Slides, and Sheets, further enhancing their productivity experience.
Originally launched as Bard last March, this AI platform revolutionized user interactions by providing text, code, and image responses to text prompts. With the debut of the Gemini AI model in December, boasting advanced multimodal capabilities, Google swiftly migrated Bard onto this cutting-edge platform.
The rebranding of Bard as Gemini marks a strategic move by Google to establish a robust ecosystem around its AI offerings. Gemini comes in three variants tailored to different user needs: Nano for mobile devices, Pro for businesses, and Ultra for high-end AI applications like the Gemini chat bot.
Illustrating Gemini’s enhanced functionalities, users can now seamlessly seek assistance for tasks such as changing a flat tire by simply uploading an image to the platform and receiving step-by-step instructions.
Accessing Gemini is hassle-free for Android users, who can either download the dedicated Gemini app from the Google Play store or opt-in through Google Assistant. Notably, once users switch to Gemini, reverting to Google Assistant becomes unavailable.
iPhone users can access Gemini via the Google app, toggling between the assistant and the bot effortlessly. Web users can visit Gemini’s website to access its features.
Initially launching in the U.S. with English language support, Gemini plans to expand its availability to Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Africa, catering to Korean and Japanese-speaking users in the following weeks.
While the rebranding of Bard signifies a significant milestone, the introduction of a paid subscription model underscores Google’s commitment to monetizing its AI investments. Furthermore, this move positions Google’s consumer offering in direct competition with Microsoft’s Copilot Pro AI bot, intensifying the rivalry between the two tech giants in both enterprise and consumer AI markets.
