Remember when Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) Gemini was once called Google Bard? Remember when that same LLM (large language model) cost the search giant — what was it? $100 million? We just like bringing that up sometimes. And since Google is rolling out Gemini to older Android devices globally, what better time to reminisce over that costly memory?
Android 10 is back, baby
Past blunders aside, Google is officially bringing Gemini to those Android devices still sporting Android 10 or higher. When Google initially rolled out the chatbot earlier this year, it was limited to Android 12 devices and up. Gemini for Android v1.0.626720042, whose primary goal is to replace Google Assistant, can now be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
The jury is still out on whether or not the AI-fuelled Gemini is a fitting enough replacement for the institution that was Google Assistant. In the year or so that Google’s AI has been live, it’s taken a backseat in the AI conversation, leaving the way clear for Samsung’s AI or ChatGPT to strengthen their offerings. Opening the new AI up to more devices might give it a larger seat at the table, but that remains to be seen.
Read More: Google’s Gemini showcases more powerful technology, but we’re still not close to superhuman AI
If, as is the rumour according to Android Authority, Google starts adding more basic functionality such as hooking up the AI assistant to your preferred music streaming service, it might just convince more customers to adopt the technology. “Real-time responses” is another feature reportedly in the works for the chatbot, which could ultimately prove to be a game changer when convincing customers of Google’s AI superiority.