Tech News

Google Renames its AI as Gemini

With the retirement of Bard and Duet, Gemini emerges as both the model and the flagship product for disseminating all of Google’s AI technologies globally.

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2024

Cosbom

Google, known for its plethora of similar products with disparate names, is consolidating its AI efforts under the unified banner of Gemini. The company recently announced the rebranding of its Bard chatbot to Gemini, along with the launch of a dedicated Gemini app for Android. Additionally, all AI features previously under the Duet AI umbrella in Google Workspace will now fall under the Gemini brand. Notably, Google is introducing Gemini Ultra 1.0, the largest and most advanced version of its large language model, to the public.

Mobile apps bearing the Gemini name will likely serve as the primary interface for users to interact with this new tool. Upon downloading the Gemini app on Android, users have the option to set Gemini as their default assistant, effectively replacing Google Assistant in responding to commands like “Hey Google” or long-pressing the home button. While Google has not indicated any plans to phase out Assistant entirely, the company’s focus on Gemini signals a shift towards prioritizing this platform as the future of AI assistance.

Sissie Hsiao, who oversees the development of Gemini (formerly Bard) at Google, views this transition as a crucial step towards creating a truly intelligent AI assistant. She envisions Gemini as a conversational, multimodal, and more helpful assistant than ever before, positioning it as a significant advancement in AI technology.

While there isn’t a dedicated Gemini app for iOS, users can access all the AI features through the Google app. Although iOS doesn’t allow setting a non-Siri assistant as the default, Google’s Gemini features can still be accessed within the Google app. A significant indication of Gemini’s importance to Google is the introduction of a toggle within the app, allowing users to switch between Search and Gemini. This marks a departure from Google’s traditional focus on Search as its primary product, suggesting that Gemini may become equally significant in the company’s ecosystem.

The rebranding of Google’s AI efforts to Gemini involves mostly cosmetic changes. The chatbot, previously known as Bard, will retain its functionality under the Gemini name. Similarly, AI features within Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Docs, previously referred to as “Duet AI,” will now be known as Gemini. These features assist users in tasks such as drafting emails and organizing spreadsheets.

Most users will utilize the standard version of the Gemini model, known as Gemini Pro. Access to Gemini Ultra, the most powerful version of the model, requires a subscription to Gemini Advanced, available as part of Google’s new $20-a-month Google One AI Premium plan. This subscription also includes 2TB of Google Drive storage and other Google One features. While the naming conventions may be confusing, Google positions the subscription as an additional $10 per month for existing Google One users, offering a comprehensive package of AI capabilities and storage.

For the $20 monthly subscription fee, Hsiao states that Gemini Ultra “sets the state of the art across a wide range of benchmarks across text, image, audio, and video.” The Ultra model is capable of retaining more context and engaging in longer conversations. Moreover, it is specifically engineered to excel in complex tasks such as coding and logical reasoning.

Google’s full commitment to Gemini underscores the company’s determination to compete with formidable AI rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity. While it’s not surprising that Google is heavily investing in Gemini, the stakes are high as it seeks to maintain competitiveness in the AI market.

Following the launch of Gemini-powered Bard last year, initial tests showed promising results, with Bard performing nearly on par with GPT-4, albeit at a slower pace. However, Google now faces the challenge of demonstrating its ability to keep pace with industry advancements. This involves not only developing a compelling consumer product but also enticing developers to build on Gemini instead of competing platforms like OpenAI.

In Google’s history, there have been few instances where the entire company seemed to hinge on a single initiative, reminiscent of the ill-fated Google Plus. However, this time, Google appears fully committed to its AI aspirations, signaling that Gemini could potentially become as significant as Google itself in shaping the company’s future trajectory in the AI landscape.

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iPhone 17 Pricing Shock: India Faces Steepest Price Increases in Apple History

Apple just unveiled the iPhone 17 series with some of the steepest price increases ever seen in India—the iPhone 17 Pro Max now starts at a jaw-dropping ₹1,59,990, and even the ‘budget’ iPhone 17 Air costs ₹99,990. Here’s why Indian consumers are getting hit hardest by Apple’s new pricing strategy.

Published

1 month ago

September 9, 2025

Cosbom

The numbers are in from Apple’s “Awe Dropping” event, and for Indian consumers, they’re genuinely shocking. What was once considered expensive is now entering luxury car territory, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max starting at ₹1,59,990—making it the most expensive iPhone ever launched in India.

Segments

The Price Breakdown: Prepare Your Wallet

Here’s how Apple’s new pricing structure breaks down across the iPhone 17 lineup in India:

iPhone 17 Series India Pricing:

iPhone 17: ₹89,990 (up from ₹79,900 for iPhone 16)
iPhone 17 Air: ₹99,990 (replacing the Plus model)
iPhone 17 Pro: ₹1,29,900 (up from ₹1,19,900 for iPhone 16 Pro)
iPhone 17 Pro Max: ₹1,59,990 (up from ₹1,34,900 for iPhone 16 Pro Max)

That’s a ₹25,000 increase for the Pro Max model alone—enough to buy a decent mid-range Android phone.

Comparison of iPhone prices in India: 2007 iPhone 3G at ₹31,000 vs 2024 iPhone 16 at ₹79,900 with improved storage

The iPhone 17 Air: Premium Pricing for Compromised Features

Perhaps the most controversial pricing decision is the iPhone 17 Air at ₹99,990. This ultra-thin device, measuring just 5.5mm thick, replaces the iPhone 16 Plus but costs ₹10,000 more than its predecessor.

iPhone with ultra-thin design and single rear camera on a marble surface.

What you get for ₹99,990:

6.6-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate
A19 chip (not the Pro version)
Single rear camera (48MP)
Ultra-thin design prioritizing aesthetics over functionality

What you lose:

Dual camera system
Longer battery life (due to thinness constraints)
Advanced Pro features like ProRAW photography

The pricing suggests Apple is betting Indian consumers will pay premium prices for design over functionality—a risky gamble in a price-sensitive market.

Currency Impact vs. Global Pricing Strategy

Apple’s Indian pricing has historically followed a simple formula: $1 = ₹100. But with the current exchange rate at around ₹87 to the dollar, Apple appears to be padding prices beyond currency fluctuations.

Global Pricing Comparison:

US: iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199
India: ₹1,59,990 (equivalent to $1,839 at current rates)
Effective markup: Nearly 53% over US pricing

This means Indian consumers are paying significantly more than their global counterparts, even accounting for taxes and import duties.

Comparison of iPhone 16 prices across multiple countries in respective currencies showing regional price differences.

The Make in India Paradox

Here’s what makes these price increases particularly frustrating: Apple is now manufacturing all four iPhone 17 models in India through facilities including Tata Group’s plant in Hosur and Foxconn’s Bengaluru unit.

Despite local production—which should theoretically reduce costs—Apple has chosen to increase prices across the board. This suggests the company is prioritizing profit margins over the cost benefits of local manufacturing.

What ₹1.6 Lakh Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)

For the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s ₹1,59,990 starting price, you get:

6.9-inch display with ProMotion
A19 Pro chip with improved graphics
Triple 48MP camera system with 8K video recording
Enhanced thermal management
Wi-Fi 7 support
256GB base storage (finally)

But here’s the reality check: That same ₹1.6 lakh could buy:

A flagship Android phone + a premium laptop
A decent motorcycle
2-3 years of iPhone 16 Pro usage at current depreciation rates
A significant down payment on a car

The Festive Season Gamble

Apple’s timing is strategic but risky. Launching these prices just before India’s festive season—traditionally the biggest sales period—suggests confidence that Indian consumers will absorb the shock.

Pre-order and availability:

Pre-orders: September 12
General availability: September 19
Festive season discounts: Unlikely for at least 3-6 months

The Competition Advantage

These price increases hand significant advantages to competitors:

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (expected around ₹1,20,000):

Similar flagship features at ₹40,000 less
More storage options
Better zoom capabilities

OnePlus, Xiaomi, and other flagship killers now have a massive pricing umbrella to operate under, potentially offering 80% of iPhone features at 50% of the cost.

Why Apple Thinks It Can Get Away With This

Despite the sticker shock, Apple’s pricing strategy isn’t entirely irrational:

Brand loyalty: iPhone users tend to stick with the ecosystem
EMI culture: Many buyers focus on monthly payments rather than total cost
Status symbol: iPhones remain aspirational products in India
Trade-in programs: Older iPhone values help offset upgrade costs

The Real Winners and Losers

Winners:

Apple shareholders (obviously)
Android flagship manufacturers getting pricing umbrella
Older iPhone models getting extended life cycles

Losers:

Indian consumers facing 15-25% price increases
First-time iPhone buyers priced out of the ecosystem
Small retailers unable to move premium inventory

What This Means for the Market

Apple’s aggressive pricing could backfire in a market where smartphone penetration is still growing and price sensitivity remains high. While the company has successfully positioned iPhones as luxury products, there’s a limit to how much the market will bear.

The success of these prices will largely determine whether other premium brands follow suit or use this as an opportunity to gain market share with more reasonable pricing.

Bottom Line: Apple is betting that Indian consumers’ desire for iPhones is price-inelastic. The next few quarters will reveal whether they’re right—or whether they’ve finally priced themselves out of significant market growth.

Will you be upgrading to the iPhone 17 series at these prices, or are these increases finally pushing you toward alternatives? Let us know in the comments.

Tech News

Live Coverage: Apple’s “Awe Dropping” Event (September 9, 2025)

We’re here with the latest on iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.

Published

1 month ago

September 9, 2025

Cosbom

As the world tunes in tonight, here’s Cosbom’s live blog starting at 10:30 PM IST with play-by-play announcements, pricing details, and instant analysis of every major reveal.

10:30 PM — Keynote Kickoff
Tim Cook welcomes the world with “Awe Dropping” title graphics. Live stream quality is crisp, and social feeds are already buzzing.

10:35 PM — AirPods Pro 3

H3 chip, improved ANC, live translation, heart-rate monitoring, improved battery life.

Pricing: $249.

10:40 PM — Apple Watch Series 11 & Ultra 3

Series 11 adds blood-pressure monitoring, brighter display.
Ultra 3 gains satellite texting, advanced health sensors.
Pricing: Series 11 starts at ₹39,990; Ultra 3 at ₹79,900 (India).

10:58 PM — iPhone 17

Dual-lens camera, A19 chip, 6.1″ display.
Price in India: ₹89,990.

11:10 PM — iPhone 17 Air

Ultra-thin 5.5 mm chassis in five colors.
6.6″ 120 Hz display, A19 chip, single 48 MP rear camera.
Price in India: ₹99,990.

11:25 PM — iPhone 17 Pro

Triple-48 MP camera, “horizontal bar” design, 256 GB base.
ProMotion 120 Hz, A19 Pro chip.
Price in India: ₹1,29,900.

11:35 PM — iPhone 17 Pro Max

6.9″ display, advanced thermal system, Wi-Fi 7 support.
256 GB base storage.
Price in India: ₹1,59,990.

11:45 PM — HomePod & Services

HomePod 2 gets spatial audio.
Apple One bundle adds Fitness+ AI-powered workouts.

11:50 PM — Pre-orders & Availability

Pre-orders begin Sept 12 at 5 AM PT (6:30 PM IST).
In-store launch: Sept 19.
iOS/iPadOS/macOS updates roll out Sept 16.

11:50 PM — Closing Remarks
Tim Cook thanks developers and customers. Stream ends with “See you next year” teaser and product montage.

Key Takeaways:

Indian pricing jumps: Air at ₹99,990; Pro Max at ₹1,59,990.
Software rollout (iOS 26, macOS 26) synced with hardware release.
Apple doubles down on health features across wearables.

Stay tuned for in-depth hands-on reviews, detailed feature analyses, and comparison guides coming soon!

This page is being updated live, please reload the page if you don’t see the latest updates. You can also head on to our Live Streams section at live.cosbom.com

Tech News

Apple’s “Awe Dropping” Event: iPhone 17 Air and Everything to Expect This Tuesday

Apple’s biggest product launch in years is just 48 hours away, and the iPhone 17 Air could be the most radical iPhone redesign since the iPhone X. Here’s everything we know about Tuesday’s event.

Published

1 month ago

September 7, 2025

Cosbom

Apple’s highly anticipated fall event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at 10 AM PT (10:30 PM IST), promising what could be the company’s biggest product refresh in years.

Concept render of iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air showing their rear designs and camera setups

The iPhone 17 Lineup:

iPhone 17 Air: Ultra-thin at just 5.5mm thick, 6.6-inch 120Hz display, A19 chip
iPhone 17 Pro: Starting at $1,099 (up $100), 256GB base storage
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Redesigned camera system
Standard iPhone 17: Expected pricing and specs

Major Software Updates:
Apple will announce the official release dates for its 2025 software lineup, all numbered with “26” to represent the September 2025-2026 season:
iOS 26: Features the new “Liquid Glass” user interface, redesigned Camera app, enhanced ChatGPT integration, improved Apple Intelligence capabilities
iPadOS 26: Introduces a completely new windowing system, Preview app for iPad, enhanced Files app with folder customization, Background Tasks for intensive operations
macOS Tahoe 26: New features and improvements for Mac users
watchOS 26: Updated features for Apple Watch
visionOS 26: Updates for Vision Pro headset
The iOS 26 public release is expected around September 15-16, with release candidates available immediately after the September 9 event.