Google releases Gemini Ultra 1.0, its largest and most capable LLM, and renames Bard to Gemini, which now has a dedicated Android app and, soon, an iOS app

Google is famous for having a million similar products with confusingly different names and seemingly nothing in common.

The Verge 2024-02-08 David Pierce

Context & Ripple Effects

Google had already signaled the branding change, an Advanced tier, and an Android app in a Bard changelog that previewed the Gemini transition. This release turns that plan into a single consumer-facing identity spanning the model and assistant experience.

It also follows Google’s move to put Gemini Nano features on the Pixel 8 Pro, showing an emerging split between on-device AI features and a broader assistant built around larger models.

First-order effects

Bard users are moved under the Gemini name, while Android users gain a dedicated route to Google’s assistant experience and iOS users are promised a forthcoming option.
Google concentrates its top-tier model branding, chatbot product, and mobile distribution under Gemini, reducing the visible separation between its AI offerings.

Second-order effects

The Android app makes mobile assistant distribution a more immediate competitive arena, raising pressure on rival AI assistants to offer similarly direct phone access.
A unified Gemini label creates a clearer upgrade path toward the previously signaled Advanced tier, while later Gemini 1.5 developer and enterprise launch extends the same brand beyond consumer chat.

Third-order effects

If Google maintains one Gemini umbrella across devices, consumer assistants, and enterprise tools, model names may become less important to users than where an assistant is embedded and how consistently it works.
The pattern points toward AI competition organized around integrated product ecosystems—on-device capabilities alongside cloud models—rather than standalone chatbots alone.

The trend: Google is consolidating fragmented AI model, assistant, and mobile experiences into a single Gemini platform with distinct on-device and cloud layers.

Discussion

@daveleebbg Dave Lee on threads
Might ask ChatGPT to make sense of this
@marie_haynes Marie Haynes on x
It told me I could think of Gemini like its last name. So naturally I asked what its first name was. [image]
@marie_haynes Marie Haynes on x
It's the integration for businesses that excites me. Gemini says there will be seamless connection two existing systems, without need for replacing current systems. [image]
@marie_haynes Marie Haynes on x
Gemini has its own voice and tries to engage in discussions that feel more like a dialogue than a simple Q&A. [image]
@marie_haynes Marie Haynes on x
Talking to Gemini feels different than talking to Bard. Gemini understands the nuances of our tone, maintains context better And has improved at critical thinking. [image]
@marie_haynes Marie Haynes on x
Just got Gemini Advanced. Let's try it! [image]
@google @google on x
Bard is becoming Gemini, and we're launching two new experiences: 1️⃣ Gemini Advanced, which gives you access to Ultra 1.0, our most capable AI model 2️⃣ A new mobile app for easier collaboration on the go Learn more ↓ https://blog.google/...
@jackk Jack Krawczyk on x
“Putting the ‘Eh’ in AI” Welcome to Gemini, Canada! 🇨🇦 https://blog.google/...
@haydenfield Hayden Field on x
Today, Google rebranded Bard, its AI chatbot & ChatGPT competitor, to Gemini — the same name as the suite of AI models powering it. Along with a new rollout of apps, the rebrand is mostly about one thing: Google's goals to build a true AI agent. https://www.cnbc.com/...
@jackk Jack Krawczyk on x
Today, Bard becomes Gemini. Available on web ( https://gemini.google.com/) and mobile (new app in Play Store, Google app on iOS) - starting to roll out today. AND introducing Gemini Advanced https://gemini.google.com/... - access to our most capable model (Ultra 1.0) [video]
@jackk Jack Krawczyk on x
Gemini Advanced ( https://gemini.google.com/...) provides access to our most capable model, Ultra 1.0. We worked with 100+ AI expert trusted testers across multiple disciplines: they've told us they prefer Gemini Advanced for its longer context conversations (32k) and the ability…
@jackk Jack Krawczyk on x
Bard was built to be the direct way to access Google's AI models. Last week Gemini Pro went worldwide and completed the transition into the Gemini era. Gemini is more than SOTA models, it's an ecosystem you will see throughout our products and APIs. Hence Bard is now Gemini.
@graadient @graadient on x
Gemini Ultra showing up to work [image]
@google @google on x
Ultra 1.0, our most capable AI model, will be available in Gemini Advanced, a new experience that helps with highly complex tasks like reasoning, following instructions, coding and creative collaboration. Try it now ↓ https://gemini.google.com/...
@jeffdean Jeff Dean on x
Bard (the product) is now Gemini. Gemini Advanced is powered by the Gemini Ultra 1.0 model, our most advanced multimodal model. Congrats to everyone who worked on this effort, including the Bard and Gemini teams! Lots more updates in the blog post! https://blog.google/...
@googledeepmind @googledeepmind on x
Welcome to the next chapter in the Gemini era. ✨ We're bringing our models to more @Google products you know, use & love. From today, Bard will be known as Gemini — and you can access our most capable model, Ultra 1.0, with Gemini Advanced. → https://dpmd.ai/... #GeminiAI [image]
@google @google on x
Today, we're entering the next chapter of our Gemini era by bringing our #GeminiAI models to more of our products, starting with Bard — which will now be called Gemini. https://blog.google/... [video]
@googledeepmind @googledeepmind on x
Gemini Advanced is far more capable at complex tasks including: 🔘 Coding 🔘 Logical reasoning 🔘 Following nuanced instructions 🔘 Creative collaboration It also allows longer prompts and can better understand the context of your previous conversations. https://dpmd.ai/... [video]
@morqon Morgan on x
gemini advanced pricing: $20 a month 2 months free 2 TB of “google one” storage
@tdinh_me Tony Dinh on x
Google has a problem with naming things. - AI Premium - Gemini Advanced - Gemini Ultra - “Bard” is no longer a thing - PaLM?? [image]
@jeremynguyenphd Jeremy Nguyen on x
The AI model that supposedly beats GPT-4: Google's Gemini Advanced (Ultra) is finally here. It's free for two months. Link in replies. Let me know how you're finding it compared to GPT-4 and Claude! [image]
@dejavucoder Sankalp on x
time to ride on the gemini advanced hype train. it's 2 months free usage. [image]
@alphasignalai Lior on x
Gemini Ultra is finally out! You can now access the most powerful GPT-4 competitor via Gemini Advanced. Utlra is far more capable at complex tasks including: -Coding -Logical reasoning -Following nuanced instructions -Creative collaboration It also allows longer prompts and... [v…
@alexpalcuie @alexpalcuie on x
you can all make fun of me because my employer moves very slow, but somebody needs to write the traditional we are SO back
@wired @wired on x
WIRED's @laurengoode sat down with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to discuss the company's just-announced rebranding of the Bard chatbot to Gemini, a Gemini-enabled paid tier of its search product, and why he's still optimistic about the internet. https://www.wired.com/...
@alexmacgregor__ Alex MacGregor on x
It's wild that a company as powerful and profitable as Google feels so weak rn https://www.wired.com/...

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