Google Bard could soon become Gemini and appear in more apps

The AI chatbot Google Bard is now one of the fastest evolving apps in the Google collection, and it appears that its branding will also alter, with Google planning to rename it Gemini.

Developer Dylan Roussel (via Engadget) claims to have discovered a list of upcoming Google Bard improvements. It is dated this coming Wednesday, February 7, and the main alteration is that Bard will be renamed Gemini.

Google Gemini is the name of the next-generation AI model that currently powers Bard, so it makes logical to drop one of the monikers. Also, there appears to be a dedicated Android app in the works, at least in the United States.

Gemini for Android will work with apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube, according to the update text. If you have an iPhone, Google claims you will be able to test out Gemini using the existing Google app for iOS.

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Another detail from this leak is that a paid subscription tier will be offered dubbed Gemini Advanced. This was previously rumored, and it suggests Google will have both free and paid-for AI bot levels, like OpenAI and ChatGPT do.

Speaking of prior rumors, tipster @AssembleDebug (via Android Police) discovered a contact page for Bard (soon to be Gemini) inside Google Messages, with the concept that you can interact with the AI just like you would any other contact.

Hints of this connectivity appeared last month, and apps like Snapchat have already included it. It appears that most apps will eventually have Google’s AI helper.

All of this has yet to be confirmed, but it appears like we are in for one of the most significant weeks for Google’s AI programs. Apple is likely to disclose its own generative AI work later this year, with the release of iOS 18.