Google has opened up access to its Gemini chatbot, allowing users to interact with the AI without needing to sign in with a Google account. This change is evident when visiting the Gemini website, gemini.google.com, in a browser’s incognito mode or using a browser that isn’t logged into a Google account. Instead of the traditional greeting that addresses the user by name, visitors are now met with a welcome message that introduces Gemini as their personal AI assistant.
Upon landing on the Gemini website, users are presented with a context window where they can input text to ask questions, seek information, generate ideas, or even plan and receive study advice. While accessing Gemini without signing in provides a degree of functionality, it doesn’t unlock the full potential of the AI. Features like conversation history, customized content creation, file uploads, data summarization from various sources, language translation, and integration with other applications such as Gmail and Google Drive are only available when logged in. Moreover, using Gemini through its Android app still requires a sign-in.
Notably, the Gemini website indicates that the chatbot is powered by the improved 2.0 Flash model, designed to respond more quickly to user commands. This model is accessible without signing in, but logging in offers the option to switch to an experimental version, Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, which includes advanced reasoning, deep research features, and personalization based on search history.
In a significant development, Google announced on March 14 that it plans to phase out Google Assistant, its AI helper currently integrated into most devices, by the end of 2025. The tech giant will instead focus on Gemini as its primary AI across a range of devices, including Android and iOS smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, smart TVs, smart home devices, cars, and Chromebooks.