>a casual user can't use [Gemini] unless they: 1. have a Google account, and 2. are logged in.
Is this a regional thing? I can use Google AI Mode without being logged in just fine. AI summaries for certain queries are also auto-generated when logged out for me.
Well, I am not sure about that but to me the real thing is: https://gemini.google.com and for this you need to be logged in, at least in my country.
As for AI mode from google search I am not sure but I don't seem to have it, at least in my country, switzerland.