Google renames Bard to Gemini, unveils paid version of Gemini

Bard, Google’s generative AI-powered conversational tool, is no more. Well, in name only. Google today announced the renaming of Bard as Gemini.

Google also announced:

• A paid version of Gemini, called Gemini Advanced.
• Gemini is a new opt-in default assistant on Android and has been added to the iOS Google App,
• Gemini will replace Duet AI, bringing the Gemini model to Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet and other Google products.

Why we care. We are at the dawn of the new Google Gemini era, and we’re watching just the beginning of Google reshaping its core products – including Search. Gemini, launched in December, is already being used in SGE and in Google Ads, with further expansion of Gemini in Search to come this year. Buckle up.

Bard is now Gemini. If you’ve been using Bard, there are really only two changes to know – the name and the URL.

• Bard is now known as Gemini.
• Instead of accessing the tool at bard.google.com, you’ll go to gemini.google.com.

Why the name change? Google wanted to simplify things for users, making it clear that the model they are engaging with is Gemini (not Bard). Google is building an entire ecosystem around Gemini.

• Google noted that if you ask Gemini its name today, it’s likely Gemini will still call itself Bard. Google is working to fix the name change in the model.

Gemini on mobile. Gemini will also get a standalone app on Android. Once you download the app, you can make Gemini the default assistant for a Gemini-led experience or you can continue to use your current assistant experience. (I highly suspect Gemini will be the only option in the near future.)

• Gemini will also become available via the Google app on iOS.

Gemini Advanced. Google also announced its paid version of Gemini, Gemini Advanced. It is bundled as part of an AI Premium plan of the Google One subscription service (which provides extra storage and some other features), for $19.99 a month.

Google said Advanced is better at following nuanced instructions, so you can write longer prompts and Gemini will understand the context. During a press briefing, Google pitched Bard as a useful end-to-end content creation tool that can do everything from generating ideas to generating content.

• Advanced is powered by Gemini Ultra 1.0, what Google called its “largest and most capable model for highly complex tasks.”
• It is available in over 150 countries, but only in English to start. Google will add more languages over time.
• More exclusive multimodal, coding and data analysis features are coming soon
• Google is offering a free two-month trial for new subscribers.
• As part of the Google One premium plan, Gemini will soon be available in products including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet. Gemini is replacing Duet AI.