Google Nano Banana 2 Gemini app launched: Features, what do we know about new AI mode?

Google on Thursday unveiled a successor to its ​viral Nano Banana image ​generation model, touting faster performance as the search-engine ​behemoth pushes to attract more users to its AI tools. The model, called Nano Banana 2, is being rolled out across products, including the ‌Gemini app, AI ⁠Mode ⁠and Lens features on Search, and Flow, its AI-powered video tool, the ​Alphabet-owned company said.

The launch is Google's latest in a series of ​moves that have propelled the company to the forefront of the AI race, helping it better compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT ​after suffering a string of embarrassments initially. ⁠The success ‌has fueled a 47 per cent surge in its ​stock in ​the past six months.

Google rolled out the ⁠Nano Banana AI image editor in August, which ​quickly became a viral sensation, attracting 13 million ​first-time users to the Gemini app in just four days in September. By mid-October, it had generated more than 5 billion images.


The tech giant followed that with the release of the upgraded Nano Banana Pro in November.

Nano Banana ‌2 leans on Gemini's faster and cheaper models known as Flash, which allows quicker image generation ​and editing, ​Google said, adding ⁠that it also has better instruction-following capabilities and delivers sharper details.

In November, Google released its Gemini 3 AI model, whose success prompted rival OpenAI to issue an internal "code red" to push teams to accelerate development.

Gemini 3 has significantly boosted user engagement, helping the Gemini app capture more than 750 million monthly active users at the end of December.

FAQs

Q1. When did Google Gemini 3 AI model launch?

A1. In November, Google released its Gemini 3 AI model, whose success ​prompted rival OpenAI to issue an internal "code red" to push teams to accelerate development.

Q2. What do we know about Gemini 3?

A2. Gemini 3 has significantly boosted user engagement, helping the Gemini app capture more than 750 million monthly active users at the end of December.