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Gemini For Home Is Google's Biggest Smart Home Play In Years (theverge.com)

(Wednesday August 20, 2025 @05:25PM (BeauHD) from the AI-glow-up dept.)


Google [1]announced Gemini for Home, a new AI-powered voice assistant that will [2]replace Google Assistant on Nest smart speakers and displays starting in October . Powered by Gemini's advanced reasoning and conversational capabilities, it promises more natural interactions, complex task handling, and features like Gemini Live for back-and-forth conversations. The Verge reports:

> According to a blog post by Anish Kattukaran, chief product officer of Google Home and Nest, using Gemini for Home will "feel fundamentally new." He says the new voice assistant leverages the "advanced reasoning, inference and search capabilities" of Google's AI models, along with adaptations for the home that allow for more natural interactions to complete more complex tasks. In short, it should be an assistant that can better understand context, nuance, and intention -- a complete change from its predecessor.

>

> For example, Kattukaran says Gemini for Home can accurately respond to requests like "turn off the lights everywhere except my bedroom," "play that song from this year's summer blockbuster about race cars," or "set a timer for perfectly blanched broccoli." It will also create lists, calendar entries, and reminders more easily than before, he says.

>

> Another big upgrade is that Gemini Live will be part of Gemini for Home, bringing more conversational back-and-forth voice interactions to Google Home without needing to repeatedly say "Hey Google." Kattukaran says this will allow for more detailed and personalized help -- from cooking ("I have spinach, eggs, cream cheese, and smoked salmon in the fridge. Help me make a delicious meal") to brainstorming how to buy a new car or figuring out how to fix your dishwasher, as well as more creative tasks like generating bedtime stories. [...] Google hasn't announced pricing for the paid tier of Gemini for Home, but Gemini Live, with its more advanced capabilities, is a likely candidate for a premium plan.



[1] https://blog.google/products/google-nest/gemini-for-home/

[2] https://www.theverge.com/news/762370/google-announces-gemini-for-home-nest-smart-speakers-voice-assistant


What is the phone number to the... (Score:2)

by TheMiddleRoad ( 1153113 )

24-hour, USA, Royal Caribbean customer service line?

I don't want this (Score:2)

by MpVpRb ( 1423381 )

If I was interested in home automation, I would not want voice activation

I would want standardized, open protocols and a rich ecosystem of interoperable devices that operate locally, WITHOUT THE CLOUD!

Re: (Score:2)

by justMichael ( 606509 )

sounds like you want Home Assistant [1]https://www.home-assistant.io/ [home-assistant.io]

[1] https://www.home-assistant.io/

Re: (Score:2)

by nightflameauto ( 6607976 )

> If I was interested in home automation, I would not want voice activation I would want standardized, open protocols and a rich ecosystem of interoperable devices that operate locally, WITHOUT THE CLOUD!

But then you wouldn't be constantly training your replacement in the home... wait. Isn't that how that argument goes? Damn it. Where's that script at?

Why would anyone trust Google at this point? (Score:2)

by ebunga ( 95613 )

They're going to kill the product as soon as they realize it doesn't increase ad sales.

Re: (Score:2)

by irreverentdiscourse ( 1922968 )

It's just a play to get everyone to finally upgrade their Google Home to Nest.

Oh just great... (Score:2)

by Tschaine ( 10502969 )

A company that's famous for it's graveyard of discontinued products and services has big plans for an industry segment known for products that turn to bricks when companies lose interest.

I think I can guess how this is going to end.

No "cloud" required (Score:2)

by RitchCraft ( 6454710 )

The cloud is not required for home automation. Any time a company wants you to connect your home devices to their severs (aka the "cloud") tell them to screw off. Because if you don''t they will end up screwing you instead.

Fuck off (Score:2)

by greytree ( 7124971 )

Home control by Not Evil Google might have been acceptable.

Only an idiot would choose home control by Evil Google.

And they'll get bored and cancel it in three years anyway.

Nothing bad could come of this (Score:2)

by GrumpySteen ( 1250194 )

User: "Gemini... stop sending data to Google"

Gemini: "I'm afraid I can't do that Dave:

That's cool.... (Score:1)

by el_smurfo ( 1211822 )

....ditched Google Home when they stopped supporting my favorite shopping list app. Alexa still supports it even though as an assistant it's totally broken, so I use it for grocery lists and timers, about all these things are good for.

That's what she said.