Skip to main content

Gemini AI Paywall: Google Restricts Free Users To Flash-Lite Model From October 9

Google is reworking which Gemini models are available on each of its plans. Starting October 9, users on the free tier and the AI Plus plan will lose access to some models, while AI Pro subscribers are set to gain a feature that was previously exclusive to the top tier. The company also appears to be working on new reasoning controls for the Gemini app.

What Changes for Free and AI Plus Users

According to an updated Google support document, people without a Google AI subscription will be left with only Flash-Lite from October 9. Flash and Pro will no longer be part of the free plan.

AI Plus, which costs $4.99 (roughly Rs 500) a month, will keep Flash-Lite and Flash but drop the Pro model. Google said affected AI Plus users will get an email telling them when their accounts will switch over.

AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers keep all three models: Flash-Lite, Flash and Pro.

ALSO READ | Gemini 4 Argon: Google Unveils New Frontier AI Model — Prices, Features And Key Things Explained

Why Usage Limits Matter More Now

The changes come after Google started measuring Gemini usage earlier this year based on how much computing power each request requires. This means that heavier requests, such as tricky questions, long back-and-forth chats or the more advanced models, draw down a user's quota more quickly.

Deep Think Arrives on AI Pro

Until now, Deep Think was available only to AI Ultra subscribers. It is now coming to the AI Pro plan, priced at $19.99 (roughly Rs 1,900) a month. AI Ultra users, on either the $99.99 (roughly Rs 9,600) or $199.99 (roughly Rs 19,300) monthly plan, will still have it. Deep Think tackles complex tasks using parallel reasoning and works only with the Pro model.

ALSO READ | Google Photos Gets An AI Boost With Redact Tool, 'Vintage' Moods And Expanded AI Wardrobe

New Thinking Levels May Be On The Way

Gemini could let users pick from Low, Medium and High thinking settings to decide how much effort the chatbot puts into a response. Choosing a higher level could use up more of a user's allowance. Right now, the Gemini app has an Extended Thinking option for harder problems. Google AI Studio and Antigravity already give users comparable controls.

Gemini 4 Argon Testing Continues

Google is also preparing to roll out Gemini 4 Argon more widely. The model is currently being tested by trusted cybersecurity professionals under the company's Fairwind programme. AI Ultra subscribers and paying API customers will get access at a later stage. It's still unclear whether Argon will sit within the Pro tier or in a separate, higher tier.



from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/QbcTK0P

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

In Kareena Kapoor's Workout Video, Little Jeh Steals The Show

Kareena Kapoor has the best “workout buddy” – her little son Jeh. The Internet agrees. The actress, who often shares glimpses of her fitness routines, posted a similar clip on Wednesday. This time, she wasn't the one who grabbed all the attention of her fans. An adorable Jeh stole the show by making a short appearance in Kareena's workout video. He is seen wearing a green tee and grey shorts while trying to climb the aerobic stepper. Kareena Kapoor, who is busy maintaining balance on the bench in the video, tries to hold her son with one hand so that he doesn't fall. Giving her fans a sneak peek into her “mom life,” the actress wrote, “Working out with my best workout buddy (blushing, heart eye, biceps and red heart icons).” She also added the hashtags “mom life,” “midweek balance,” “The Crew” (her next film) and “workout” to her caption. Kareena's workout song, this time, was Guru Randhawa's Moon Rise. Producer Rhea Kapoor, who is working with Kareena Kapoor on T...