Google announced Bard as an “early experiment” in February and still prominently refers to it as such. I thought that qualifier applied to both the generative AI nature and its name, which would change when the product graduated.
9to5Google has a rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits. Sign up to get it early in your inbox, or continue reading 9to5Google Log Out below:
I’m no longer so certain it’s going to get replaced following the announcement of “Assistant with Bard.” While Google calls it an “early experiment,” it did get a pretty high-profile, consumer-facing announcement alongside the Pixel 8.
“Bard” is a fine name, but I wouldn’t call it a good one. Going by the definition and the most famous instance of one, bards are storytellers. It’s far from a common word, and my usage of Bard (as a tool that I direct to do things) is not aligned with that definition nor Google’s view that it’s something you “collaborate” with. (Meanwhile, Duet AI in the Workspace realm does accomplish that with its name). It especially doesn’t fit the company’s typical naming of products by their main function.
Having used Bard for a few months, I’m seeing the distinction between it and the Google Search Generative Experience. To me, SGE is more informational and what you use to search the web, while Bard is the aforementioned tool/utility. I think Google will maintain both products with their different use cases for the foreseeable future. (That said, Google recently updated SGE with text and image generation that I thought would remain the domain of Bard.)
In that regard, “Google Chat” is a more obvious name. (I don’t think renaming the Workspace-first Slack/Teams app is the worst idea, especially as it’s about to get a new icon, homescreen, Duet AI, and other features. To me, the “Chat” name has been a bit too casual for its work context, though Google does occasionally remind people that you can use it for personal conversations. Even “Google Talk” is more fitting for the enterprise nature since everyone talks.)
Another suggestion would be Google rebranding Bard as Assistant, complete with the same ‘g’ logo that’s already very chatbot character-esque in nature. That’s a name that more than conveys its utility.
I get why we have Assistant “with Bard” today, but it is awfully clunky for something that you’re hyping up as the panacea for people’s complaints about today’s Assistant functionally stagnating. I have to believe that “with Bard” will eventually disappear a year or two after launch, and that its internal “AWB” shorthand never gains traction.
It’s too bad the “new Google Assistant” branding has been taken. (On that note, I remain blown away that the new Assistant has remained a Pixel exclusive. For all the hype at that time, I thought Google had a clear roadmap for wide availability as a voice assistant that can do more for you.)
From 9to5Google
First Pixel 8 and 8 Pro update starts rolling out
- Android 14 November security patch rolling out
- Pixel Watch November 2023 update starts rolling out: PW2 LTE
New Google Chat logo gets possible early reveal
Review: Mous’ super-thin Pixel 8 case adds MagSafe minus the bulk
Google Home ‘Help me script’ preview starts rolling out to Script Editor
What (else) is happening
Google Pay sheets get Material 3 redesign on Android and web
Android Auto is rolling out another new design for Google Maps
Samsung details new ISOCELL GNK camera which seemingly debuted in Google Pixel 8
MediaTek Dimensity 9300 goes all in on power with four Cortex-X4 CPUs
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ‘for Galaxy’ allegedly adds even more raw power
YouTube tests AI that lets you ‘Ask’ questions about videos and summarize comments
Top comment by Arun Topez
From my understanding, "Bard" is the AI chat functionality name, "Duet AI" is their productivity AI name, and "Assistant" is their usual assistant. Just like Microsoft says "Copilot with Bing Chat", Google says "Duet AI with Bard" or "Assistant with Bard". I do think these companies are overcomplicating though and don't know how to market it properly.
Google should have just revamped Assistant to be Bard, and Microsoft should have revamped Cortana to be Bing Chat. And Copilot and Duet AI should have just been under that one brand instead of complicating it.
Waze’s ‘Crash History Alerts’ warns you about dangerous roads
ChatGPT has 100 million weekly users as OpenAI launches more new features
From the rest of 9to5
9to5Mac: Rumor: Apple working on custom battery design to improve battery life in future products
Electrek: Volvo EX30 first drive: this tiny, inexpensive electric SUV is also Volvo’s quickest car, ever
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments