Google releases rival Gemini AI in the UK for first time
Google Gemini offers much of the same functionality as OpenAI's well-known ChatGPT software. It can produce written answers, recipes, travel itineraries, Excel spreadsheet formulae, and computer code from a written prompt.
Gemini can even dream up essay answers, computer code, poems, and more from a short prompt. Google's Gemini AI chatbot is now available in a standalone smartphone app in the UK for the first time. The ChatGPT-4 rival can be downloaded on Android phones today, while iPhone users will have to wait for a few more weeks as the new feature makes its way to the existing Google app.
The move will bring Google’s flagship Artificial Intelligence (AI) product to millions more users, allowing them to interact with the virtual assistant using text, voice, and images.
Expansion to the UK
Google Gemini is now available to download in the UK on Android devices. iPhone owners will need to wait a few more weeks before the functionality rolls out to the existing Google app on iOS.
Google fans in the United States have had access to a dedicated Gemini app since February. In comparison, ChatGPT has been available as an app on both iPhone and Android since mid-2023 in both countries.
Words from Google
Jules Walter, Group Product Manager for Gemini experiences at Google, stated, "We remain dedicated to making Gemini available to as many people as possible. By expanding our language support and reaching new countries, we’re ensuring more people can supercharge their ideas with Gemini."
He added, "With the Gemini app on your phone, you can type, talk, or add an image for all kinds of help. It’s an important first step in building a true AI assistant — one that is conversational, multimodal, and helpful."
Competition in the AI Space
The arrival of Google Gemini in the hands of millions of Android users in the UK comes as the competition for market dominance in the AI space heats up among the tech giants.
Microsoft recently unveiled new dedicated, AI-powered laptops and tablets with its Copilot AI assistant. OpenAI announced the latest version of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, which is more conversational and better at understanding and moving between voice, text, and visual inputs. Meanwhile, Apple is expected to reveal its response to the growing popularity of AI chatbots at its annual developer conference.
However, the rapid rollout of AI products has not been without its challenges. Google issued an apology over an image generation tool that was inaccurately creating racially diverse images. OpenAI faced criticism for introducing a "flirty" new voice in its apps that resembled Scarlett Johansson, prompting its withdrawal from the options.
