Google Bard is poised for a significant transformation in the upcoming days, as a preliminary changelog discloses the impending rebranding to “Gemini” along with the introduction of a new Android application and more features.
In recent months, Google has been diligently enhancing Bard, its AI chat experience, by integrating new functionalities and advancements. Last year, Bard underwent an upgrade with the integration of “Gemini” as its foundational model and more recently, the addition of an image generator. However, Google has been diligently working on a substantial overhaul for Bard.
Recent observations through the Android platform and Bard’s web interface indicate Google’s intention to rename Bard as “Gemini,” aligning it with the underlying model that powers the platform. An early changelog for Bard, uncovered by Dylan Roussel, confirms this transition scheduled for the current week.
The changelog, dated February 7, explicitly states that “Bard is now Gemini,” shedding light on Google’s rationale behind this decision. The rebranding aims to align Bard with “Gemini Pro,” the model that now fuels Bard across all supported countries and languages, as announced earlier this week.
Apart from the name change, Google’s changelog also highlights the introduction of “Gemini Advanced” access commencing on February 7. This tier, unveiled in December 2023, is based on “Gemini Ultra,” Google’s most advanced model. The changelog specifies that this will be a paid offering, providing enhanced functionalities such as expanded multi-modal capabilities, improved coding support, and the ability to upload and analyze various files and documents more comprehensively.
Following the rebranding from Bard to Gemini, Google will also launch an Android app for Gemini, enabling users to engage with Google AI seamlessly on their mobile devices. Integrated with popular Google apps like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube, Gemini facilitates tasks such as learning, event planning, and writing notes through text, voice, or image inputs.
The upcoming Gemini app is expected to resemble the current Google Assistant experience on Android, with indications suggesting that it will be available on select devices initially, including Tensor-powered Pixels and the Galaxy S24, primarily in English in the US. Expansion to Japanese, Korean, and English globally, excluding specific regions, is also on the horizon, with further language and country support anticipated.
Lastly, Google Gemini’s reach will extend to Canada on February 7, marking a significant expansion as Bard did not have a presence in the region previously. The rapid developments leading up to this launch signify a notable milestone for Google’s AI advancements.
