Google Bard is officially retiring. Just a year after its initial release as a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google is rebranding Bard to Gemini, which refers to its series of foundational models. The more significant development is the debut of Gemini Ultra, positioned as the company's most advanced large language model to date.
Starting at $20 per month, Gemini Ultra will be available as part of a new Google One tier that includes a two-month free trial, 2TB of cloud storage, and access to Gemini across Google Workspace applications, such as Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Meet. Concurrently, Google will phase out the Duet AI brand, integrating its features into the Gemini name.
Additionally, a Gemini app is being launched for Android, and users can now replace their Google Assistant with Gemini. Google has indicated that developers eager for API access to the Ultra model will receive more information in the weeks to come.
Gemini Ultra will be accessible in over 150 countries and territories; however, it will initially support only the English language, with plans to include Japanese and Korean soon.
When Gemini was unveiled, only the Gemini Pro model was broadly made available through Bard. At that time, Gemini Pro was said to perform similarly to GPT-3.5, but with the emergence of GPT-4, this announcement felt somewhat lackluster. Google had previously indicated that the flagship Ultra model would launch to consumers in early 2024 after private testing. Although not explicitly mentioned, it was understood that the Ultra model would form part of a paid plan, initially referred to as Bard Advanced.
“Gemini Ultra 1.0 represents a breakthrough across diverse benchmarks in text, image, audio, and video,” stated Sissie Hsiao, Google’s executive leading the project, during a press briefing prior to this announcement. “For us, Gemini embodies not just the models, but a comprehensive transformation in our approach to cutting-edge technology and the expansive ecosystem we’re creating, impacting billions of users and providing tools for developers and businesses to innovate.”
Recognizing that its advanced technology is the backbone of Bard, Google decided to rename it to Gemini. While early users may have been disappointed with Bard's performance, prompting this rebrand, the new offering demonstrates a commitment to enhancing user experience.
Gemini Pro, already in use, will not present major alterations for free users. However, those who subscribe to Gemini Advanced will gain access to the new Gemini Ultra 1.0 model. As for its true capabilities, firsthand experience will provide clarity, as Google was somewhat vague about its performance during the recent press conference.
“Gemini Advanced, featuring our Ultra 1.0 model, excels at complex tasks across multiple applications, including coding, logical reasoning, nuanced instruction following, and creative collaboration,” Hsiao explained. Significantly, Gemini Ultra 1.0 also supports multi-modality, allowing for interactive discussions around images.
To access Ultra 1.0, users must subscribe to the new $20 Google One AI Premium plan. This plan encompasses the existing benefits of the Google One Premium, such as 2TB of storage and exclusive features for Google Photos, Google Meet, and enhanced scheduling capabilities in Google Calendar. Furthermore, users will soon experience Gemini integration in Google Workspace, similarly to Microsoft’s Copilot, although details are limited at this stage.
Currently, the $20 monthly fee aligns with the prevailing market rate for advanced AI chat tools, such as ChatGPT. Google benefits from the ability to bundle these features without significant additional expenses, given the substantial profit margins linked to existing Google One storage plans.
A notable perk is that existing Google One subscribers will receive a two-month free trial upon upgrading to the new AI Premium plan.
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