Bard is Rebranding to Google Gemini as Early as This Week

Word has it: Bard is undergoing a major transformation and rebranding itself as ‘Google Gemini.’ And it looks like we won’t have to wait very long because this change is rumored to take place on February 7, 2024.

As for what to expect, the update is said to come with new features and capabilities, expanded availability, and—wait for it—the introduction of an official Android app! iPhone users, on the other hand, will have to access Gemini in the Google App.

Over the past few months, Google has been continuously enhancing Bard, its generative AI chat experience. Last year, Bard received an upgrade with “Gemini” as its foundational model, and more recently, it gained an image generator. However, Google had bigger plans in store for Bard, culminating in this rebranding.

The decision to rename Bard as ‘Gemini’ aligns with Google’s vision of providing everyone with direct access to its AI technology. With “Gemini Pro” now powering Bard in all supported countries and languages, this rebranding aims to better reflect Google’s commitment to offering the best family of AI models.

Along with the name change, Google is also introducing the “Gemini Advanced” tier, set to be available from February 7. This premium tier, built on the powerful “Gemini Ultra” model, will offer additional functionality for a fee. Users can expect expanded multi-modal capabilities, improved coding support, and the ability to upload and analyze files, documents, and data in greater depth.

One of the most exciting aspects of this rebranding is the launch of the Google Gemini Android app. The app will seamlessly integrate with popular Google apps like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube, making it convenient for users to access Google Gemini on their smartphones. Whether you prefer text, voice, or images, interacting with Gemini will be a breeze.

Per Google:

Get help learning in new ways, writing thank you notes, planning events, and more with Google AI on your phone. Gemini is integrated with Google apps like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube, making it easy to get things done on your phone. You can interact with it through text, voice or images.

To chat with Gemini on Android, download the Gemini app in the Google Play Store. On iOS, try Gemini in the Google app.

The app is initially rolling out on select devices, primarily Tensor-powered Pixels and the Galaxy S24, in English in the US. However, it will soon expand to include Japanese, Korean, and English in other regions, with further languages and countries on the horizon. Additionally, Google Gemini will make its debut in Canada on February 7, marking a significant expansion for the service.

While we eagerly await the formal announcement, it’s clear that Google has been working diligently to make Gemini a compelling AI experience. Stay tuned for more updates on Google Gemini. I’ll be sure to let you know when those apps drop—hopefully sometime later this week.

For now, you can access Bard here.

Disclaimer: Information in this article is based on an early changelog and may be subject to change prior to the formal announcement.

Tony Simons

Tony has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and over 11 years of writing experience between multiple publications in the tech, photography, lifestyle, and deal industries.