According to Tom’s Guide, Google has launched its most intelligent AI model yet, Gemini 3, aiming to let users bring any idea to life. The model is already beating ChatGPT in key benchmarks and introduces a slew of new features. These include an AI search mode that delivers direct answers, a new “Nano Banana Pro” AI image generator with studio-grade control, and a revamped Gemini app with interactive “generative interfaces.” Notably, some US college students are eligible for a free full-year subscription to Gemini AI Pro. The update represents a major push by Google to integrate advanced AI directly into its core products.
The search war just got hotter
So Google is finally making its big move. Integrating Gemini 3 directly into Search is a direct shot across the bow of Perplexity AI and, of course, Microsoft’s Copilot-powered Bing. The promise of skipping the “list of links” for a direct answer is compelling. But here’s the thing: this is a massive, risky shift for Google. Its entire business was built on being the gateway *to* links. If Gemini starts answering everything perfectly in the search box, what happens to the ad revenue from those clicks? They’re betting we’ll prefer the convenience, and that they can monetize the AI answers themselves. It’s a high-stakes gamble.
Nano Banana Pro is the real dark horse
While everyone’s focused on text chatbots, Google’s Nano Banana Pro image generator sounds like it could be a silent killer. Studio-grade control, consistent characters, and crisp 4K output? That’s not just for making silly memes. That’s a legit tool for creators, marketers, and small businesses who can’t afford a Photoshop wizard. If it delivers on the promise of editing existing photos while preserving details, it could eat Adobe’s lunch for specific tasks. DALL-E and Midjourney better watch their backs, because Google is bundling this powerhouse right into its ecosystem.
The app and the “agent” are where the vision gets real
The revamped Gemini app is where you see Google’s broader ambition. It’s not just a chatbot; they’re trying to build a generative *interface*. Dynamic views that create interactive mini-apps? That’s wild. Asking for a meal plan and getting a whole interactive experience with recipes and pics is a completely different paradigm than getting a block of text. It starts to feel less like a tool and more like a collaborator. And the Gemini Agent, hooked to Gmail and Calendar, is the first baby step toward the true “AI assistant” we’ve been promised for a decade. Can it actually manage projects? Probably not yet. But the intent is clear: they want Gemini to be the OS for your digital life.
chatgpt”>But can it actually beat ChatGPT?
Google is touting those benchmark wins, and that’s important for the tech crowd. But for most people, benchmarks are meaningless. What matters is the feel. Does it understand nuance better? Is it less prone to hallucination? Does it feel smarter and more helpful in a real, messy conversation? That’s the battle. Giving it away free to students is a brilliant move to hook the next generation. The real test won’t be on a leaderboard, but in daily use. Can Gemini 3 finally make people *choose* to use a Google AI instead of just defaulting to ChatGPT? That’s the question. And honestly, with these features, they might just have a shot.
