Gemini 2 API Deep Dive

This article provides an in-depth look at Google's Gemini 2 API, based on the provided search results. Gemini 2 represents a significant advancement in AI, offering enhanced capabilities and new features.

Gemini 2.0 Models: A Detailed Overview

Google offers several Gemini 2 model variants, each optimized for specific use cases. Key models include:

• Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental: This is Google's most advanced multimodal model, boasting next-generation features and improved capabilities. It supports input of audio, images, video, and text, and can generate text, images (coming soon), and audio (coming soon). It features low-latency conversational interactions via the Multimodal Live API. Try in Google AI Studio

• Gemini 1.5 Flash: A fast and versatile multimodal model suitable for a wide range of tasks. It accepts audio, images, video, and text as input, producing text outputs. It's ideal for balancing performance and cost. Try in Google AI Studio
• Gemini 1.5 Flash-8B: A smaller model designed for high-volume, lower-intelligence tasks. Similar input/output capabilities to 1.5 Flash. Try in Google AI Studio
• Gemini 1.5 Pro: A high-performing multimodal model optimized for complex reasoning tasks. It handles large datasets efficiently. Try in Google AI Studio
• Gemini 1.0 Pro (Deprecated): A text-based NLP model for natural language tasks, multi-turn conversations, and code generation. Deprecated as of 2/15/2025. Try in Google AI Studio
• Text Embedding (text-embedding-004): Used for measuring the relatedness of text strings.
• AQA (aqa): Provides source-grounded answers to questions.

A comparison table summarizing the model variants is available in the original documentation.

Model Versioning and Naming Conventions

Gemini models follow specific naming conventions to indicate version type:

• Latest: The cutting-edge version, frequently updated, suitable only for prototypes. Format: <model>-<generation>-<variation>-latest (e.g., gemini-1.0-pro-latest).
• Latest Stable: The most recent stable release. Format: <model>-<generation>-<variation> (e.g., gemini-1.0-pro).
• Stable: A specific, unchanging stable model for production use. Format: <model>-<generation>-<variation>-<version> (e.g., gemini-1.0-pro-001).
• Experimental: A preview version, not for production, subject to change. Format: <model>-<generation>-<variation>-<version> (e.g., gemini-exp-1121).

Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental: Key Features and Capabilities

Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental introduces several significant enhancements:

• Multimodal Live API: Enables real-time, low-latency interactions with audio and video streaming.
• Speed and Performance: Substantially improved speed compared to Gemini 1.5 Flash.
• Quality: Maintains quality comparable to larger models like Gemini 1.5 Pro.
• Improved Agentic Experiences: Enhanced multimodal understanding, coding, complex instruction following, and function calling.
• New Modalities: Native image generation and controllable text-to-speech.

Google Gen AI SDK

A new Google Gen AI SDK offers a unified interface for Gemini 2.0 across the Gemini Developer API and the Gemini API on Vertex AI, simplifying application development and migration. It supports Python and Go, with Java and JavaScript planned.

Multimodal Live API

This API facilitates low-latency bidirectional voice and video interactions, enabling natural, human-like conversations with the ability to interrupt responses. It supports text, audio, and video input, providing text and audio output.

Search as a Tool

Gemini 2.0 integrates Google Search as a tool, enhancing response accuracy and recency. This allows for multi-turn searches and combined tool queries.

Bounding Box Detection

An experimental feature enabling object detection and localization within images and videos using bounding boxes.

Speech and Image Generation (Early Access)

Gemini 2.0 offers early access features for speech generation (text-to-speech) and image generation (text-to-image, image editing, and multimodal outputs). These are currently under allowlist.

Project Astra and Other Research Prototypes

Google is actively developing agentic AI experiences using Gemini 2.0, including Project Astra (a universal AI assistant), Project Mariner (a browser-based agent), and Jules (an AI-powered code agent). These projects are in early stages of development and testing.

This deep dive provides a comprehensive overview of the Gemini 2 API and its capabilities. Remember that experimental features are subject to change and may not be suitable for production environments. Always refer to the official Google documentation for the most up-to-date information.