American technology company Google announced a name change for its AI chatbot Bard, rebranding it as Gemini. This shift was reported by technology outlets and reflected in official company communications. The core purpose of the tool remains the same: to assist users with information retrieval, text generation, and image creation. Gemini continues to function as a conversational assistant that can draft emails, generate documents, and support tasks across Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Google Docs, mirroring Bard’s capabilities while carrying a new brand identity. The move signals Google’s ongoing emphasis on AI-assisted productivity within its ecosystem and marks a branding evolution rather than a change in the underlying technology. In industry commentary, observers note that shifting brand names often aims to unify AI offerings under a single, recognizable umbrella for users and developers alike, without altering the user experience. (Google announcement, 2024)
Gemini’s feature set remains aligned with Bard’s original design. It can search for information, create text, and produce images, while offering assistants for email composition, spreadsheet tasks, and other work activities across Google Workspace. Users can expect the same level of integration with Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet, enabling streamlined workflows and consistent performance across platforms. This continuity ensures that users who relied on Bard can continue to rely on Gemini for daily tasks, now with a branding refresh that consolidates Google’s AI tools under one name. (Industry briefings, 2024)
Access to Gemini is straightforward. A free version is available as a mobile app on the Android Google Play store, giving Android users immediate access to conversational AI and creative tools. iOS users will be able to engage with the chatbot through the updated Google app, ensuring a seamless cross-platform experience. Google’s approach keeps entry to AI-powered features simple while maintaining familiar interfaces that integrate with existing Google services, so users don’t have to learn an entirely new system to benefit from advanced assistance. (Product notes, 2024)
Google also offers a premium tier known as Gemini Ultra, priced at twenty dollars per month. This enhanced plan supports longer, more context-rich conversations and is positioned to handle more complex programming and logical tasks. By providing a higher-capacity mode, Google aims to appeal to power users who need deeper analyses, extended interaction history, and more robust problem-solving capabilities within the same Gemini framework. The Ultra tier reflects an industry trend toward tiered AI offerings that balance broad accessibility with advanced features for professionals. (Pricing communications, 2024)