Bard vs. Gemini: What’s Changed and Is it Better?

Introduction to Bard and Gemini

Gemini: The successor to Bard is here! In 2022, Google introduced Bard, a large language model (LLM) chatbot capable of generating text, translating languages, writing various types of creative content, and answering your questions in an informed manner. Google published Bard on March 21, 2023. Bard received great feedback, but Google recognized there was still potential for development. Google has renamed the famous chatbot after the updated AI model that powered it, Gemini. You may try it right now. Bard is now incorporated into Google Assistant and has a separate Android app, having previously only been accessible through a standalone URL. More about Gemini read in our blog post Google Gemini: Marketing Tool or Multimodal Power?

Why the change from Bard to Gemini?

Google decided to rebrand Bard as Gemini for several reasons. First, another company already trademarked the name “Bard”. Secondly, Google wanted a name that better reflected the chatbot’s capabilities. Gemini is the constellation of twins, which represents the chatbot’s ability to communicate and generate human-like text.

How did Google make the change from Bard to Gemini?

Google made significant adjustments to the chatbot and rebranded it as Gemini. First, they improved the model’s design to increase efficiency and accuracy. Second, they trained the model with a larger dataset of text and code. This enabled Gemini to produce more creative and interesting text while also translating languages more precisely.

What are the differences between Bard and Gemini?

The main differences between Bard and Gemini are:

• Name: Bard is now known as Gemini.
• Accuracy: Gemini’s revised architecture and larger training dataset improve its accuracy for tasks like translation and information retrieval.  
• Creativity: Gemini is more creative than Bard, resulting in more engaging content. It can also develop visually appealing content and do more complex linguistic problems, displaying improved inventiveness.
• Languages: Gemini can translate more languages than Bard, and do so more accurately.
• Expanded Focus: While Bard primarily focused on text-based data, Gemini’s training encompasses text, code, images, and audio, resulting in a broader understanding of the world and language.
• Diverse Outputs: In addition to text, Gemini can generate visually appealing content, expanding its potential applications.

Is Google Gemini available to the public?

Gemini is open to the public in two ways:

• Through the Gemini app: now available for Android and iOS, allows you to communicate directly with Gemini by asking questions and receiving helpful responses. It’s also being rolled out globally, so availability may differ based on your location.
• Through the Google AI website: Although the functionality is limited in comparison to the app, you can use a basic version of Gemini on the Google AI website for simple text-based interactions.

Where can you access Gemini?

You can access Gemini via the specific Android and iOS app or the Google AI website. Google is also integrating Gemini into numerous Google products, so you may see it in Search Labs (for experimental search capabilities) and Workspace services (for complex tasks such as note-taking and email creation).

What languages is Gemini available in?

Gemini currently supports over 40 languages, making it versatile for global users. You can choose your preferred language within the app or website settings.

You can use the Gemini web app in the following languages (alphabetical order):

Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Marathi, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese.

Practical Application of Gemini

We tested Gemini’s ability to find information in real-world circumstances. In one of our experiments, we asked Gemini to provide information about ReSplit Coworking. We were surprised at how quickly Gemini gathered all of the relevant information from the internet and directed us to our website. This capacity displays Gemini’s edge in searching for and answering questions using real-time information available online. While this capability is still in development, it demonstrates Gemini’s potential to become a vital tool in everyday use.

Can I reverse image search or multimodal search on Gemini?

While Gemini cannot directly perform a reverse image search where you upload an image and find similar ones, it can process and understand the content of an image when you describe it or provide it alongside text prompts. This is a form of multimodal interaction, where Gemini combines information from both text and images to perform tasks.

For example, when we asked Gemini in English, ‘Can you describe what’s in this picture?’ and uploaded a picture of a bird, it analyzed the image and attempted to understand the objects and scene depicted. However, when we posed the same question in Croatian and provided the same picture, the response was nowhere near accurate. Therefore, this isn’t exactly a reverse image search, but it demonstrates its ability to process visual information within multimodal prompts when it comes to the English language.

However, Google is actively researching and developing multimodal capabilities for its AI models, so this feature might be introduced in the future.

Does Gemini include images in its answers?

Gemini’s primary concentration is on textual responses. It can, however, reference and describe photos connected to your inquiry, resulting in a more complete grasp of the issue.

For example, if you ask it “What to visit in Split?” it will not only offer you a list of the most prominent sights, but it will also show you photographs of them. This can help you understand what to expect and make a more informed decision about what you want to see.

Is there a paid subscription tier for Gemini?

Currently, Gemini’s app and website are both free to use. Gemini Advanced is not free to use; it is part of the all-new Google One AI Premium plan for $19.99 per month, with a two-month free trial that includes 2TB of storage.

Conclusion

The rebranding of Bard as Gemini marks a big advancement for Google’s AI chatbot. Gemini is more accurate, creative, and capable than Bard, and it is sure to be a useful tool for users all over the world.

However, despite its promised advancements and presumably greater functionality, I found Gemini lacking in fundamental activities and responses to simple questions. In certain cases, Gemini seems to struggle with understanding the context of a conversation, resulting in irrelevant or illogical comments. It’s possible that this discrepancy stems from its recent release, or perhaps there’s an underlying motive to encourage users to opt for the paid version. Finally, only time will tell if Gemini can handle these problems while also excelling in all parts of its operation. Nevertheless, it remains a promising development in the field of AI chatbots, and its potential to enhance human-computer interaction is undeniable.

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