Google is tinkering with a new and smarter version of its Assistant, powered by advanced AI technology. They hinted at this during their Pixel 8 launch event back in October 2023.
Initially, they named it “Assistant with Bard,” but let’s be real, that name’s a mouthful. So, Google is playing around with other options.
They started calling it just “Bard” within the Google app, and now they’re testing yet another name: “Gemini.”
If you’re not up to speed, Gemini is the fancy AI system behind Google’s AI tools, like Bard, similar to how ChatGPT is the engine behind me.
In the latest Google app update for Android (version 15.4), 9to5Google noticed that “Bard” has been swapped out for “Gemini.”
Instead of making users choose between Assistant and Bard, they’re now giving the option of Assistant or Gemini.
This change could be Google’s way of showcasing its AI tech more prominently, similar to how ChatGPT and GPT are closely linked. However, it’s not all smooth sailing.
9to5Google pointed out that Google is also renaming the paid Bard Advanced version to Gemini Advanced.
Since Gemini comes in different versions (Nano, Pro, Ultra), this could lead to a confusing naming scheme like “Gemini Advanced powered by Gemini Ultra.” But maybe they’ll sort that out later.
Looking at the bigger picture, Google might still be figuring out the branding. Maybe dropping “Bard” altogether could be a good move.
After all, Google Bard was always an experiment, and Google has a bunch of other AI tools like Search Generative Experience (SGE), Duet AI for Workspace, and more. So, using the name Gemini could tie all these tools together neatly in the future.
Whether they go with Gemini or Bard, both options are probably better than the clunky “Assistant with Bard.”
Especially since this new Assistant version is meant to have fewer features than the old one. Making it clear that it’s a separate product could help manage user expectations and avoid disappointment.
