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What’s the latest? Google has begun an early access rollout of Gemini for Home, its enhanced voice assistant that replaces the previous Google Assistant on compatible Nest speakers and displays. Currently available in the U.S. for those registered for early access, Google plans to expand its availability to other countries throughout 2026.
Today, the company announced the commencement of the early access phase for Gemini for Home in the United States. Users can activate the assistant by saying “Hey Google” or engage in a more natural conversation with Gemini Live by saying “Hey Google, let’s chat.”
While the traditional “Hey Google” command still works, the update introduces more sophisticated natural-language understanding and follow-up conversations, reducing the need to repeat the wake phrase. You can also initiate an ongoing dialogue or ask your Nest Hub to pull up specific information, such as “search my camera history to see what happened in the living room last night.”
If you own a compatible Nest speaker, display, or other Google Home device, this update upgrades it from a basic assistant to a more intelligent conversational partner capable of understanding context, managing multi-step tasks, and seamlessly combining device control with daily assistance.
Gemini-powered devices like Nest Cams and Doorbells now deliver more detailed notifications—such as “Dog steps out of the pen”—and allow you to search through video footage using natural language queries like “Did the package arrive today?” You can also execute complex routines with commands like “Lock the door, turn off the lights, and lower the thermostat.”
Please note, while basic Gemini features will be accessible without extra steps, advanced capabilities such as live conversation mode (Gemini Live) require a Google Home Premium subscription. Additionally, users participating in early access cannot revert to the previous Google Assistant.
Google has shared suggested prompts for exploring Gemini, including: “Hey Google, how many lights were on today?” “Show me the backyard camera feed between 9 p.m. and midnight,” “Let’s chat — help me plan a week-long road trip with kids,” and “What’s the quickest way to make a heart-healthy dinner tonight?”
This upgrade marks a move from simple task-oriented helpers to more conversational, context-aware home assistants. Integrating Gemini into smart home devices enhances your living space by combining information, entertainment, and control. The new “Let’s chat” mode makes interactions more natural and less rigid, allowing for follow-up questions and refined requests without restarting commands. Furthermore, smart-home controls are now more precise, enabling commands like “turn off all lights except the living room” or “what happened at home today?” to produce meaningful summaries.
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