Google Gemini's new model is the brainstorming AI partner you've been looking for

Google Gemini AI
(Image credit: Google)

  • Google has added the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental to the Gemini app.
  • The model combines speed with advanced reasoning for smarter AI interactions.
  • The app update also brings the Gemini Flash Pro and Flash-Lite models to the app.

Google has dropped a major upgrade to the Gemini app with the release of the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model, among others. This combines the speed of the original 2.0 model with improved reasoning abilities. So, it can think fast but will think things through before it speaks. For anyone who has ever wished their AI assistant could process more complex ideas without slowing its response time, this update is a promising step forward.

Gemini 2.0 Flash was originally designed as a high-efficiency workhorse for those who wanted rapid AI responses without sacrificing too much in terms of accuracy. Earlier this year, Google updated it in AI Studio to enhance its ability to reason through tougher problems, calling it the Thinking Experimental. Now, it’s being made widely available in the Gemini app for everyday users. Whether you’re brainstorming a project, tackling a math problem, or just trying to figure out what to cook with the three random ingredients left in your fridge, Flash Thinking Experimental is ready to help.

Beyond the Thinking Experimental, the Gemini app is getting additional models. The Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental is an even more powerful one, albeit a somewhat more cumbersome version of Gemini. It's aimed at coding and handling complex prompts. It’s already been available in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI.

Now, you can get it in the Gemini app, too, but only if you subscribe to Gemini Advanced. With a context window of two million tokens, this model can simultaneously digest and process massive amounts of information, making it ideal for research, programming, or rather ridiculously complicated questions. The model can also utilize other Google tools like Search if necessary.

Lite speed

Gemini is also augmenting its app with a slimmer model called Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite. This model is built to improve on its predecessor, 1.5 Flash. It retains the speed that made the original Flash models popular while performing better on quality benchmarks. In a real-world example, Google says it can generate relevant captions for around 40,000 unique photos for less than a dollar, making it a potentially fantastic resource for content creators on a budget.

Beyond just making AI faster or more affordable, Google is pushing for broader accessibility by ensuring all these models support multimodal input. Currently, the AI only produces text-based output, but additional capabilities are expected in the coming months. That means users will eventually be able to interact with Gemini in more ways, whether through voice, images, or other formats.

What makes all of this particularly significant is how AI models like Gemini 2.0 are shaping the way people interact with technology. AI is no longer just a tool that spits out basic answers; it’s evolving into something that can reason, assist in creative processes, and handle deeply complex requests.

How people use the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model and other updates could show a glimpse into the future of AI-assisted thinking. It continues Google's dream of incorporating Gemini into every aspect of your life by offering streamlined access to a relatively powerful yet lightweight AI model.

Whether that means solving complex problems, generating code, or just having an AI that doesn’t freeze up when asked something a little tricky, it’s a step toward AI that feels less like a gimmick and more like a true assistant. With additional models catering to both high-performance and cost-conscious users, Google is likely hoping to have an answer for anyone's AI requests.

You might also like

TOPICS
Eric Hal Schwartz
Contributor

Eric Hal Schwartz is a freelance writer for TechRadar with more than 15 years of experience covering the intersection of the world and technology. For the last five years, he served as head writer for Voicebot.ai and was on the leading edge of reporting on generative AI and large language models. He's since become an expert on the products of generative AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google Gemini, and every other synthetic media tool. His experience runs the gamut of media, including print, digital, broadcast, and live events. Now, he's continuing to tell the stories people want and need to hear about the rapidly evolving AI space and its impact on their lives. Eric is based in New York City.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Gemini 2.0
You can now try Gemini 2.0 in 'Experimental Advanced' mode if you're a Gemini Advanced subscriber
Gemini 2.0
Gemini Deep Research just got even smarter and it’s now free for everyone to try - here's why you should give it a go
Gemini 2.0
Yes, Google's new Gemini 2.0 Flash is much better than the old 1.5 model – here's what I found
Gemini 2.0
What is Gemini: everything you need to know about Google’s AI chatbot
Google AI Mode
Google previews AI Mode for search, taking on the likes of ChatGPT search and Perplexity
Gemini 2.0
Google has just announced the ability to chain actions in Gemini and it could change the way we use AI for good
Latest in Artificial Intelligence
Google Gemini AI
Gemini Deep Research is now free - here are 4 ways to get the most out of Google’s awesome AI tool
An iPhone showing the ChatGPT logo on its screen
5 better prompts to use with ChatGPT
AI fashion
I asked ChatGPT 4o, Gemini Live, and Siri what to wear, and only one could really help me look my best
Gemini on a mobile phone.
Worryingly, Google Gemini’s new AI image generation features can be used to remove watermarks from images and I'm concerned
Apple Intelligence
It’s crunch time for Apple Intelligence as Apple execs look for a solution to the company’s AI woes
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Latest in News
Panos Panay and Alexa Plus
Amazon's Panos Panay teases future Alexa+ devices from speakers to possible wearables
Metroid Prime 4
I reckon the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch with Metroid Prime 4 – here’s why
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments