Google Locks Free Gemini Users to Flash Lite Oct 9 — SkimNews
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- Google will restrict free Gemini users to the Flash Lite model starting October 9, removing access to the standard Flash and Pro models that free users can currently choose from.
- Google AI Plus subscribers paying $4.99/month will also lose access to Gemini Pro and will receive an email notification when their access is removed.
- Gemini Pro and the "Deep Think" advanced reasoning option will be limited to Google AI Pro ($19.99/month) or Google AI Ultra ($99.99/month) subscribers after the change.
- Gemini users can still select low, medium, and high effort levels per model, but Google warns that higher effort levels can burn through Gemini usage limits faster.
Why it matters: Free users lose access to two of three Gemini models, and even paying AI Plus subscribers at $4.99/month are being downgraded — Google's cheapest path to Gemini Pro is now $19.99/month, roughly a four-fold price increase for the same model access.
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