Who is Google Gemini?
Gemini is the new name for all of Google’s artificial intelligence tools, from chatbots to voice assistants and full coding assistants. It replaces both Google Bard – the former name of Google’s AI chatbot – and Duet AI, Google’s competitor to CoPilot Pro and ChatGPT Plus.
But Gemini is more than just a rebranding. As part of the launch, Google has released a new free Google Gemini app for Android (in the United States, for now.) And for the first time, Google is also releasing its largest and most powerful language model (LLM) to date called Gemini Ultra 1.0. You can access it by subscribing to Google One AI Premium (details on the subscription will be provided later).
So what can you do with Google Gemini?
1. Gemini replaces Google Bard and Duet AI
Google Gemini makes things simpler. It is the new umbrella term for all of Google’s artificial intelligence tools, whether you are using a smartphone or a desktop computer, and whether you are using the free version or the paid version.
Gemini replaces Google Bard (the former name of Google’s AI chatbot) and Duet AI, Google Workspace’s suite of productivity tools.
Similarly to Open AI, if you want access to the more advanced and powerful artificial intelligence tools of Gemini and the new Gemini Ultra LLM from Google, you will need to purchase a monthly subscription. The good news is, if you already have a subscription to Google One AI, it is included as part of the premium plan.
In summary – today, Google says AI is under Gemini. If you try to access what was previously Bard today, you will receive Gemini instead.
Three main ways to access Google Gemini
Google Gemini app (Android)
Google Gemini (website)
Google Gemini Advanced (subscription)
Gemini also replaces Google Assistant
The launch of Gemini for Android is significant as it allows you to set Gemini as the default voice assistant, replacing Google Assistant – Google’s voice assistant until now. To activate Gemini, you can do so during the app setup process.
The Google Gemini app was released just a few days ago and there are still some things that do not work properly. Don’t worry, you can switch back to the old Google Assistant if you wish (at the moment). To do this, go to the Gemini app, click on the profile in the top left corner, go to Settings > Google Digital Assistants. Here you can choose between Gemini and Google Assistant.
What is the difference between the free version of Gemini and Gemini Advanced?
The free version of Gemini (accessed through the Google Gemini app on Android, the Google app on iOS, or the Gemini website) has no limitations compared to Gemini Advanced, which is intended for subscribers only.
Gemini is based on a simpler version of the large language model (LLM) called Gemini Pro, unlike Gemini Advanced which is based on Google’s new Gemini Ultra 1.0. In general, the free version is less accurate, whether in code, creative translation, and so on. It is similar to the difference between ChatGPT and ChatGPT Plus.
The free version is good and definitely sufficient for basic tasks like answering simple questions, summarizing emails, creating images, and initial brainstorming. If you want more, it’s worth considering Gemini Advanced.
How much does Gemini Advanced cost?
Gemini Advanced costs $19.99, and currently there is a two-month free trial.
The interesting part is that if you are already paying Google for cloud storage in the Google One cloud plan, you can currently use Gemini Advanced without needing a separate subscription.
Google, similar to Amazon Prime, combines its subscriptions (cloud storage and AI) to make the choice more attractive.
