Millions of current Google Nest, Google Home, and third-party smart speakers devices will soon receive new Gemini-powered functionality. This is according to a statement from Google.
In 2025, Google Home app is a feature update that provide a “feature boost” to millions of Nest customers. It also include AI-driven automation, increased device integration, more control options, and better camera performance are some of these changes. The inclusion of the Gemini AI model, which replaces the Google Assistant for more organic discussions, is a crucial component.
October saw the start of Google’s long-awaited Gemini for Home voice assistant rollout through an early access program. The program’s launch has been extended this week, and additional people including those utilising third-party devices are being quickly invited to participate.
Since 2016, Google’s Nest and Home smart speakers, smart cameras, and other devices have been powered by Google Assistant. Janhoi McGregor, a writer who had written a lot on these devices over the years, but in summary, the restricted and unintelligent software was frequently eclipsed by the hardware.
In its October introduction, Google even described by referring to the Assistant interaction method as “rigid.” This frequently led to erroneous answers and repeated requests for the same thing, at least for me.
Gemini’s goal is to correct that. Gemini will comprehend intricate queries and preserve context, and users will be able to ask their smart speaker questions in regular language. Google provides an example of how to look for a song using little information: The blog post explained, “Hey Google, play the song from the movie where a bunch of oil workers fly to space to blow up an asteroid.”
Other example which includes this advanced smart home control which allows users to ask Gemini to turn off lights by description instead of their names like “turn off all lights except the office lights”, or to add ingredients for a recipe to their shopping list just by naming the dish like “add ingredients for Pad Thai to my shopping list”.
Gemini Live can be activated by saying “Hey Google, let’s chat” for interactions that are not structured. This enables back-and-forth communication without repeating the hot word for each follow-up query, just like it does on smartphones.
According to Google, the Google Nest Cameras and Smart Home Control with Advanced Gemini Features also allows the Gemini to be able to describe scenes like “a USPS delivery driver placing a package on the porch and walking away,” going beyond alerts for mere motion. Because Gemini can easily comprehend what it is looking at, video history will be searchable using natural language, and these occurrences will be condensed into a daily overview known as Home Brief.
It’s important to note that Google Home Premium is necessary to use advanced camera features like Home Brief, AI Descriptions, Video History Search, and Gemini Live.
Through the early access program, the business advised that all compatible speakers, smart displays, cameras, and doorbells manufactured within the last ten years will receive the Gemini for Home voice assistant.
The Google Home app will be the primary method of enrolment after the launch the app, tap your profile photo in the upper right corner and select Home settings, and thereafter select Early Access. Users also might need to log in to Google Groups (groups.google.com), select Settings > Global settings, and make sure that this option “add me to their groups” is selected if users are unable to locate the Early Access option as earlier advised.
Users in the United States region are presently the only ones who can have the access to upgrade their speakers and displays with the Gemini for Home speech assistant. According to Google, anyone in the United States who enrols in the early access program for voice assistants should receive an invitation within in less than 24hours.
Also users of Google Nest devices in these regions Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK have access to the app-based Gemini features, which include improved smart home control and camera capabilities. In early 2026, the voice assistant on speakers is anticipated to be launch in these and other areas.
The Gemini integration makes automations more intelligent by providing AI-Powered Assistant, which is to create a more organic, helpful, and conversational assistant experience, Nest speakers and screens are incorporating the Gemini AI model. Also the Smarter Home/Away Routines is another with its presence sensing which can now incorporate media devices. This makes it easier for Home & Away Routines to determine if a device is currently playing music or a show. And lastly the New Automation Editor helps with a new automation editor, where it users may design intricate domestic routines with conditions and new beginnings for one-time events or particular dates and times.
Nest Thermostat updates feature an improved energy dashboard to better monitor heating and cooling consumption, as well as complete schedule compatibility for older units (3rd gen and E).
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