As per a leaked document, Google is gearing up to rebrand Bard as Gemini, with significant updates slated for release as early as next week.
First spotted by Dylan Roussel, who posted the leaked changelog on X, the document unveils the name change and sheds light on additional enhancements. The document indicates that Google aims to roll out the rebranded Gemini with various improvements, including a new paid tier called Gemini Advanced.
Gemini Advanced is set to introduce the Ultra 1.0 model, boasting advanced capabilities for intricate tasks such as coding, logical reasoning, nuanced instructions, and creative collaboration. The document suggests a global release covering 150 countries, initially focusing on English language optimisation.
“We are committed to giving everyone direct access to Google AI and, as of this week, every Gemini user across our supported countries and languages has access to Google’s best family of AI models. To better reflect this commitment, we’ve renamed Bard to Gemini,” said the changelog.
Additionally, the update will see Gemini’s expansion into Canada in French and English. Moreover, the changelog also suggested that a Gemini app is slated for release on select devices in the US, eventually branching out to Japan, Korea, and globally in English.
However, the UK, Switzerland, European Economic Area countries, and associated territories will experience a delay in rollout.
The rebranding move aligns with Google’s recent integration of its new multimodal AI model, Gemini, introduced in late 2023, into various products, including Bard. Considering Bard’s initial lukewarm reception, this shift was strategic, attributed to a perceived rush to the market.
Google originally unveiled Bard in response to Microsoft’s Copilot’s announcement, positioning it as a rival to then newly-rebranded Bing Chat. Despite initial setbacks, Bard has undergone substantial improvements, with recent additions such as AI image generation capabilities.
According to Thurrott, the choice of the name Gemini over Bard signals a departure from the poetic connotations of the latter. While Bard was meant to evoke the literary legacy of William Shakespeare, Gemini aligns more closely with the multifaceted nature of a generative AI solution focused on creating text.
With Google introducing new models and boosting Gemini’s AI capabilities, only time will tell whether Gemini can compete with ChatGPT and emerge as an alternative. It also seems that Google is taking time to release its new models and apps securely and surely. Microsoft has already released the Copilot app for Android, and the iOS version will also be available soon. Microsoft has also introduced a dedicated Copilot key on Windows keyboards.
How Google will compete with Microsoft in the AI field remains to be seen. While both giants are gearing up to take the lion’s share in the AI market, the customers will benefit the most.
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