Googling has just given its smart home lineup a serious brain upgrade. Twinthe company’s new AI assistant (think Google Assistant on steroids) is now available on Google Home and Nest cameras and displays dating back to 2015. Unlike the old assistant, which occasionally felt like it was half-listening, Gemini understands conversation questions and follow-up questions in context, so your devices can finally stop pretending not to understand you.
We saw Google Gemini firsthand at CEDIA Expo 2025, running on a TCL QM9K QD-MiniLED 4K UHD TV with Google TV. Gemini delivers fast, accurate responses and provides extensive content discovery, from entertainment to educational information, making interactions with your TV more natural and intuitive.
In addition to Google TV, Google is rolling out Gemini everywhere Google Home speaker, smart displaycamera, and doorbell of the past 10 yearsalong with all new devices, through the updated Google Home app. This allows your existing smart home gear to benefit from more natural, context-aware AI interactions without the need for an upgrade.
Hello Google, smarter now
According to Google’s blogWith Gemini you can have a real back-and-forth conversation, decipher vague questions, and simplify automations. For example, after I ask, “Hey Google, my dishwasher isn’t draining, what should I check first?” you can simply follow up with, “Hey Google, the filter looks good, what should I check next?” Gemini understands that you’re still talking about the dishwasher so you don’t have to start the whole conversation again.
Moreover, Gemini can reason from vague questions. You can say, “Hey Google, play the song from the movie where a bunch of oil workers fly into space to blow up an asteroid.” “ or search for a podcast by asking, “Hey Google, play a recent podcast with Sundar Pichai,” and Gemini will understand and find the show and episode for you.
Simpler and natural language automation is now becoming much easier. Simply say, “Create an automation to turn on the porch lights and lock the front door every day at sunset,” and you’re done. You can even get creative to protect your home while you’re away. Simply ask Gemini to “turn different lights on and off throughout the evening to make it look like someone is home,” and a routine will be created to simulate activity.
Google Gemini device upgrades
Speakers:
- Google Home (2016)
- Google Home Mini (2017)
- Google Home Max (2017)
- Nest Mini (2019)
- Nest Audio (2020) *
Smart screens:
- Nest Hub (2018)
- Nest Hub Max (2019) *
- Nest Hub (2nd generation) (2021) *
Cameras:
- Nest Cam Indoor (2015)
- Nest Cam Outdoor (2016)
- Nest Cam IQ Indoor (2017)
- Nest Cam IQ Outdoor (2017)
- Nest Cam (battery) (2021)
- Nest Cam (wired) (2021)
- Nest Cam with spotlight (2021)
- Nest Cam Indoor (2K) (2025)
- Nest Cam Outdoor (2K) (2025)
- Walmart onn Indoor Camera Wired (2025)
Doorbells:
- Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st generation) (2018)
- Nest Doorbell (battery) (2021)
- Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd generation) (2022)
- Nest Doorbell (2K) (2025)
- Walmart onn video doorbell wired (2025)
* Google Gemini Live
Feature comparison
| Google Gemini | Google Assistant | |
| Goal | Advanced and sophisticated AI that can perform complex, nuanced interactions and tasks. | Voice support for quick commands and answers to questions. |
| Strengths | Complex conversations Creative writing Help with coding Strategic planning Advanced troubleshooting In-depth information with more context and details Workspace integration – works smoothly with Google Workspace | Familiarity over time Availability on approximately 50,000 devices from 10,000 brands. Easy to use for basic control of devices such as TVs, smart speakers and smart home products. |
| Limits | Higher latency may be due to a more complex architecture. Some features may require a paid subscription | Less capable of complex analyses, generating creative content or in-depth conversations |
Early access to Google Gemini: Try smarter AI on your home devices
Google is launching an early access program for Gemini on Google Home devices, allowing users to explore the new features and provide feedback as the experience is refined. The rollout starts this month, October 2025with speakers and smart displays from the end of the month.
To participate, open the Google Home app (version 4.0 or later), tap your profile icon, go to Home Settings and select Early Access. You will receive a notification in the app when your devices are ready.
Gemini for Home Voice Assistant replaces the existing Google Assistant on compatible speakers and smart displays, making your standard “Hey Google” voice assistant more talkative and capable.
Additional advanced features including Twins LiveAI-powered notifications, Home Brief, video history searching and creating automations with Ask Home will be available through the new Google Home Premium subscription.
The bottom line
AI is now part of everyday life and Google Gemini marks the next step in the evolution of smart homes, replacing Google Assistant with a system that handles complex commands and conversations naturally. It’s a powerful tool for convenience and content discovery, but one James Cameron warned about The terminator And Minority report Imagine, this constantly learning AI knows more about you than you think. Gemini shows the promise of smarter, more connected homes and reminds us that advanced AI comes with a bit of built-in paranoia.
Price and availability
Google Gemini plans start at $10 per month and are also included with Google AI Pro ($19.99) and AI Ultra ($249.99) plans at no additional cost beyond the initial AI Pro and AI Ultra costs.
Related literature:
#Google #introducing #Gemini #older #home #Nest #devices #decade