The news: Google has expanded its Bard chatbot to the European Union and Brazil, offering new features, including support for over 40 languages. Details: Europe is one of the last regions to access Bard, which was introduced in around 180 countries earlier this year. The delay was primarily caused by uncertainties surrounding compliance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), according to Google. What's new: Besides the wider rollout, Bard can now speak answers out loud to users, helping with things like word pronunciation, as well as responding to prompts of images. Users can also customize the tone and style of responses, pin and rename conversations, and share responses with friends. Why it matters: The expansion could boost Bard's name recognition and visibility, giving it a stronger edge in the competition against Microsoft-backed rival ChatGPT. According to Vox Media and The Verge's latest Trust Survey, nearly 60% of people surveyed had used or heard of ChatGPT, versus only 38% for Bard.
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