Bard is now Gemini
Google Unveils New AI Assistant “Gemini” to Replace Bard
Tech giant Google announced this week that its AI chatbot “Bard”, launched last year, will now be known as Gemini. Along with the renaming, Google revealed major upgrades to the artificial intelligence assistant, including more advanced capabilities, a paid subscription model called Google One AI Premium, and availability on mobile devices.
The new Gemini represents Google’s “most capable family of AI models”, according to the company. The basic Gemini uses Google’s Pro 1.0 model and is available for free in over 40 languages. Meanwhile, Gemini Advanced taps into Ultra 1.0, which Google describes as its “largest and most capable state-of-the-art AI model”.
In third-party evaluations, testers preferred Gemini Advanced over leading chatbot competitors for handling complex tasks like coding, logical reasoning, and creative collaboration. Thanks to the robust Ultra 1.0 model, Gemini Advanced can have deeper, more contextual conversations and follow multi-step instructions better than standard Gemini.
Some key features provided as examples include:
- Personalized tutoring with quizzes and discussions tailored to the user’s learning style
- Advanced coding collaboration such as evaluating approaches and sounding board for ideas
- Brainstorming content ideas and audience growth strategies for digital creators
Gemini Advanced is currently only available in English in over 150 countries, with additional languages to come. It is part of Google’s new Google One AI Premium subscription plan priced at $19.99 per month after a free two-month trial. Subscribers will gain access to Gemini Advanced along with other Google One cloud storage and features.
Here is a summary of the Google One plans and pricing, including the new AI Premium plan in Philippine Peso. This is applicable for first time subscribers.
| Plan | Storage | Price | Discount Deal | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | 15 GB | – | – | 15 GB storage |
| Basic | 100 GB | ₱89/month | ₱22.25/month for 3 months | 100 GB storage, Google experts, sharing, photo editing, extras, dark web monitoring |
| Premium | 2 TB | ₱479/month | ₱119.75/month for 3 months | 2 TB storage, Google experts, sharing, photo editing, extras, Workspace premium features, dark web monitoring |
| AI Premium | 2 TB | ₱1,100/month | Free for 2 months | 2 TB storage, Gemini Advanced, upcoming Gemini integration, all Premium features |
Key details:
- Current 15 GB plan
- 100 GB Basic plan – discounted intro deal
- 2 TB Premium plan – discounted intro deal
- New 2 TB AI Premium plan – free 2-month trial
The key addition is the AI Premium plan for ₱479/month which includes access to Gemini Advanced and the upcoming Gemini integration into Gmail, Docs, etc. It also includes all the standard Premium features like 2TB storage, experts access, sharing tools, etc
Soon they will also be able to utilize Gemini directly within Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, and other Workspace apps to enhance productivity. This was previously announced last year as “Duet AI” before being integrated into Gemini.
Google stated it has taken great measures to ensure Gemini models are safe, unbiased, and reliable through extensive vetting, fine-tuning based on human feedback, and other state-of-the-art techniques. An updated technical report outlines the specifics of Gemini’s development and evaluation process.
In making AI more accessible, Google also launched the new Gemini mobile app on Android and within the Google Search app on iOS. Users can engage Gemini via text, voice, or images to generate creative content, get advice and information, write texts, control smart home devices, and more.
Over time, Gemini aims to become a versatile AI assistant for users’ daily needs. The rollout began February 8th in the U.S. in English, expanding next week to more countries in English plus Japanese and Korean.
As Gemini Advanced and mobile functionality spread globally, Google hopes people will collaborate with its AI models in increasingly intuitive and unique ways. Users are encouraged to share feedback on the Gemini experience to help shape its ongoing development.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
