Google has rebranded its generative artificial intelligence platform Bard – and it's more than just a name change.
The Alphabet subsidiary says the platform will now be known as Gemini, as it seeks to further challenge OpenAI's ChatGPT and grab a bigger slice of the global generative AI market.
What is Gemini?
For background, Gemini is also the name of Google's suite of large language models powering Bard that was introduced in December – at the time the platform's biggest update.
Coming with multimodal reasoning capabilities, the Gemini 1.0 model came in three sizes – nano, pro and ultra – so it can run on everything from resource-intensive data centres to small mobile devices.
This time, Gemini is bigger than ever – and Advanced.
Gemini Advanced is Google's highest-tier generative AI offering, featuring its largest model Gemini Ultra 1.0, which it describes as its "most capable" AI model.
It is "far more capable for reasoning, following instructions, coding and creative collaboration", it "can understand, explain and generate high-quality code in many programming languages" and is designed for highly complex tasks.
How powerful is Gemini Ultra 1.0?
Gemini Ultra 1.0 is the first to outperform human experts on massive multitask language understanding, "evolving to be more than just the models" and "supports an entire ecosystem", Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google and Alphabet, said in a blog post.
Gemini Ultra 1.0's MMLU uses a combination of 57 subjects – including maths, physics, history, law, medicine and ethics – to test knowledge and problem-solving abilities, according to Google.
Gemini is also available in 40 languages but Google plans to add more, including Japanese and Korean, to this list.
How much will it cost?
For those willing to shell out cash for Google's most powerful AI model, it'll cost you $19.99 a month on the new Google One AI Premium plan – and you'll be charged only after a free two-month trial.
The plan includes 2TB of storage, more features for Google Meet and Google Calendar, and 10 per cent back from purchases made on the Google Store.
The subscription will also grant users access to future Gemini features that will be made available on Gmail, Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Meet.
How about the app?
Google said the Gemini app for Android is now available for download, while those using Apple's iPhones can use the service through the Google iOS app.
The company did not give a date for the iOS launch.
Is Google far off from OpenAI?
The rise of generative AI triggered a race among technology companies to bring the powerful technology to more enterprises and consumers.
Google's move to introduce an app and paid tier is expected to raise the stakes, most notably in its battle with Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
The world's biggest internet company, however, may still have some catching up to do, as OpenAI has built a lead on both fronts: San Francisco-based OpenAI began making the ChatGPT app available in May and a new premium service, ChatGPT Enterprise, in August.
Last month, OpenAI launched the online ChatGPT Store, which gives users access to more than three million custom versions of generative trained transformers to help them customise their chatbots and allow them to earn money.
Expect more from Google
Google is continuing to boost its generative AI platform, "already well under way training the next iteration of our Gemini models", said Mr Pichai.
Next week, he said, the company will share "more details" for the cloud and developers, noting that "hundreds of thousands of developers and businesses have already been building with Gemini models".
"Developers have been fundamental to every major technology shift and will play an equally important role in the Gemini ecosystem," Mr Pichai said.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
Bullet%20Train
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Company%20profile
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
