Gemini AI's free version is now smarter with 1.5 Flash model
Google has recently announced upgrades to its AI tool, Gemini AI, enhancing the performance of the free tier with the introduction of the 1.5 Flash model. This new model, an improvement over the previous Gemini Advanced, offers increased speed and efficiency, although it may lack some advanced features. The update also includes fixes for hallucination issues and the expansion of the mobile app's availability to more regions.
Previously, the free tier of Gemini AI utilized the 1.0 Pro model, but now, Google is transitioning to the faster Gemini 1.5 Flash model. This enhancement significantly boosts Gemini's processing speed, enabling quicker responses to user queries. Despite not having all the features of Gemini Advanced, users can expect swifter and more intelligent interactions.
Improved Performance and Capabilities
One of the key updates includes the quadrupling of tokens for the free tier from 8K to 32K, allowing Gemini to handle longer queries and engage in extended conversations with users. The 1.5 Flash model also enhances the image understanding capabilities of the free version, leading to more accurate and contextually relevant responses.
Google stated, "Today we’re upgrading our free-tier experience to Gemini 1.5 Flash. With Gemini 1.5 Flash, you’ll notice across-the-board improvements in quality and latency, with especially noticeable improvements in reasoning and image understanding. And just like we greatly expanded the context window in Gemini Advanced, we’re quadrupling Gemini’s to 32K tokens. That means you can have longer back-and-forth conversations and ask Gemini more complex questions – all free of charge."
Additional Features and Accessibility
Google plans to introduce new features to the free tier of Gemini, such as the ability to upload files from Google Drive or local devices, enabling users to ask questions pertaining to specific files. This functionality was previously exclusive to the paid Gemini Advanced version.
Furthermore, Gemini's features will now be accessible in more regions, with availability expanding to the European Economic Area (EEA), the UK, and Switzerland. The tool is also now offered in multiple languages, including French, Polish, and Spanish, catering to a more diverse user base.
Google's aim is to establish Gemini as a leading AI chatbot tool in the market, competing with major players like Open AI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Anthropic’s Claude.
