Google launched new Gemini features including Gemini 1.5 Flash and a larger context window
Google has rolled out major upgrades to its Gemini AI, including faster performance with Gemini 1.5 Flash, an expanded context window, new features to combat hallucinations, wider availability across platforms and regions, and access for teenagers, all while emphasizing responsible AI development.
Google recently announced a series of updates to the free tier of the Gemini assistant, the mobile app, and Gemini for teens availability, as well as improved fact-checking and related content delivery features. Gemini 1.5 Flash will power the Gemini assistant in over 230 countries and territories, and across 40 languages to provide quick, high-quality responses leveraging the model's improved reasoning and image understanding capabilities. Mirroring the expanded context window in Gemini Advanced, the context window for the free tier has been augmented 4x, from 8K tokens to 32K.
These capabilities will be supplemented with the upcoming feature to upload files directly or via Google Drive. Furthermore, Google also plans to enable users of the free tier to do more with their uploaded files by giving them to Gemini for analysis so it can reveal helpful insights and present them in clear chart and graph visualizations. Google also introduced a new feature that builds on its double-check system and allows users to discover relevant additional information from the web or Google apps like Gmail. Some responses to English language prompts will feature a chip at the end of the message for users to click to learn more.
To round up the effort to bring more capabilities to the free tier of the Gemini Assistant, Google is also increasing the places where the assistant is available, and expanding the geographic coverage of these. First, after previewing Gemini in Google Messages for a small number of Android devices, Google will start to roll out the feature for users in the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, and Switzerland, who will be able to chat with Gemini in additional languages like French, Polish and Spanish. In parallel, the standalone Gemini app will be available in more countries.
Finally, the Gemini for teens program is going global, expanding its reach to over 40 languages. Gemini for teens was already available in English, and Workspace for Education accounts as a service managed by administrators. Now, teenagers who meet the minimum age requirement to manage a private Google Account will have access to the Gemini Assistant. Gemini for teens features additional guardrails and safety policies, a teen-specific onboarding, and an AI literacy guide. Google has also committed to continue working with child safety and development experts, including MediaSmarts (CA), Miudos Seguros na Net (PT), and Fad Juventud (ES), to provide guidance and feedback specific to this audience.
