Google Releases Three New Gemini Models
· news
Google Releases Three New Gemini Models — But No 3.5 Pro
Google’s latest release of its Gemini series includes three new models: the Gemini 3.6 Flash, 3.5 Flash-Lite, and 3.5 Flash Cyber. These models promise improved capabilities in coding, knowledge work, and multimodal performance at a lower cost than their predecessors.
The absence of the long-awaited 3.5 Pro update is a notable omission. The Gemini series was seen as Google’s flagship offering for complex reasoning and coding tasks. However, internal delays seem to have put a damper on the rollout plans.
Logan Kilpatrick, product lead at Google DeepMind, hinted that the company is currently testing Gemini 3.5 Pro with partners and hopes to “land soon.” This lack of clarity has fueled speculation about the company’s intentions.
The timing of this release is curious, given the rapid pace of updates from rival labs like OpenAI and Anthropic. GPT-5.5, Claude Opus 4.8, and Fable 5 are just a few examples of the cutting-edge technology being released by these companies. Google’s decision to skip the Pro update in favor of lower-tier models is starting to look like a strategic misstep.
One possible explanation for this move lies in Google’s efforts to balance performance with cost efficiency. The Gemini 3.6 Flash, for instance, boasts improved capabilities while reducing token usage by up to 17%, making it cheaper than its predecessor. However, this focus on affordability might have come at the expense of innovation.
The absence of the Pro update suggests that Google may be prioritizing short-term gains over long-term development. This gap in the Gemini lineup is particularly notable given the current landscape of AI research. The field is shifting rapidly, with an increasing emphasis on multimodal performance and complex reasoning tasks.
Google’s decision to skip the Pro update could be seen as a missed opportunity to establish itself as a leader in these areas. The limited access pilot program for 3.5 Flash Cyber raises questions about accessibility and transparency. By making certain models exclusively available to governments and trusted partners, Google may be inadvertently creating an AI development elite.
As the industry continues to evolve at breakneck speed, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Google needs to get its act together if it wants to stay in the running. The Gemini Pro update was once touted as a game-changer, but now it seems like an afterthought. With OpenAI and Anthropic pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI, Google can’t afford to be left behind.
Kilpatrick’s mention of starting its most ambitious pre-training run yet for Gemini 4 is a glimmer of hope. However, until then, the absence of the Pro update will continue to raise eyebrows and fuel speculation about Google’s true intentions.
Google still has a chance to redeem itself, but it needs to take bold steps if it wants to stay ahead in the AI gold rush.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The Gemini 3.5 Pro's absence from this release is not just a missed opportunity for Google; it's a clear indication that the company is prioritizing incremental updates over revolutionary innovation. While the new models offer impressive cost savings and modest performance boosts, they're largely playing catch-up to established players like OpenAI and Anthropic. What's striking is how Google seems to be catering to its existing user base rather than pushing the boundaries of AI research. This strategy might keep users loyal, but it's a shortsighted move that could leave Google behind as the field accelerates towards more sophisticated applications.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
Google's Gemini series just got a lot more complicated. The absence of the 3.5 Pro model isn't just a disappointment – it's a red flag for Google's priorities. By skipping this crucial update in favor of lower-tier models, they're essentially sacrificing long-term innovation for short-term gains and market share. But what's more concerning is how this decision might impact their ability to keep pace with rival labs. With OpenAI and Anthropic pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities, Google can't afford to fall behind – not even by a single model.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The Gemini 3.5 Pro's absence from Google's latest release is more than just an oversight - it's a sign of a larger strategic shift. By prioritizing affordability over innovation, Google risks losing ground to competitors who are pushing the boundaries of AI research. The real question is: how far can you scale back development before sacrificing performance and competitiveness? The Gemini 3.6 Flash may be cheaper, but is it good enough to keep up with OpenAI's GPT-5.5 and Anthropic's Claude Opus 4.8 in the long run?