How do I access Gemini on the Pixel 8 Pro and in Bard?

Since its introduction, Google’s Gemini has garnered significant attention due to its impressive features and capabilities. Though still in the early beta stage, users can now experience this chatbot firsthand. Here’s how:

Using Gemini through Bard

Gemini Pro is available at no cost via the Bard chatbot. To use it, simply visit the Bard website and sign in with your Google account. However, Google Workspace account holders may need to switch to their personal email accounts to explore Gemini’s offerings.

Note that, like previous AI releases, Gemini is currently not available in the European Union.

Gemini-enhanced Bard capabilities

Google states that by integrating Gemini with Bard, this enhances Bard’s understanding of user intent, leading to more accurate and higher-quality responses. The AI’s ability to process text, images, audio, and video within Bard provides a smoother experience. Plus, users can utilize the new Alpha Code 2 model for assistance in code writing.

Nonetheless, Gemini has limitations. Currently, Gemini Pro is only available in English, restricting worldwide accessibility. Users might also encounter occasional software hiccups while interacting with the chatbot.

Gemini on Pixel 8 Pro

When Google introduced the Pixel 8 series, they promised numerous new AI features as part of the December update. Initially, it seemed like Bard would power these features; however, it turned out that Gemini’s Nano version was behind them.

This smaller version of Google’s language model can work offline, significantly improving speed and responsiveness within specific apps. So where will Pixel users encounter Gemini?

Google indicates that Pixel 8 Pro users will primarily experience Gemini Nano in two places: auto-summarization within the Recorder app and the Smart Reply function on Gboard. It’s worth noting that Smart Reply currently works with Gemini solely in WhatsApp but plans to extend this feature to other apps next year.

Gemini for other Pixel devices?

According to Demis Hassabis, Google DeepMind CEO, only Google’s Tensor 3 processor can support Gemini Nano at present. However, the company is actively working on incorporating Gemini Nano into the Android ecosystem through AI Core, allowing the AI model to operate on almost all processors.