Google considering another Assistant with Bard name: Gemini

We spotted two weeks ago that Google might rebrand “Assistant with Bard” to just “Bard.” The company might not have decided on a new Assistant with Bard name yet as the latest version of the Google app introduces “Gemini” as a candidate.

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

---

With the latest Google app beta (version 15.4.31.29) today, all strings and UIs that previously mentioned “Bard” — previously Assistant with Bard” — now say “Gemini.”

Assistant with Bard, as announced in October with the Pixel 8, being rebranded to just Bard made some sense. It matches the Bard experience people are familiar with on the web, while Google Assistant gets to stay its own thing for the time being.

However, directly referring to a product by the model name is very strange. This apparently includes “Bard Advanced” — which was officially announced in December — being renamed to “Gemini Advanced.” As such, it would be something like: Gemini Advanced powered by Gemini Ultra.

• 15.3: <string name=”assistant_chat_advanced_mode_subtitle”>Bard Advanced</string>
• 15.4: <string name=”assistant_chat_advanced_mode_subtitle”>Gemini Advanced</string>

What happens when Google comes up with a new Large Language Model (LLM)? Would the name of the product people actually use change every time? While I’m not the biggest fan of the “Bard” name, people are familiar with it now and a rename feels counterintuitive to Google’s momentum.

That being said, now — before launch — would be the time for Google to rename things. Whatever the case, we don’t have the complete story yet.

Meanwhile, Google app 15.4 also reveals that YouTube Music will become a Bard Extension that you can invoke:

• <string name=”assistant_robin_extensions_consent_youtube_music_title”>Connect Youtube Music?</string>
• “Access and manage items from YouTube Music, like your playlists, playback history and preferences”
• “Share parts of your conversation, and other relevant info, with YouTube Music, which may be used to improve its services”
• “You can turn off YouTube Music from the Extensions page.”

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, from which some APK Insight teardowns benefit.