Meet 'Gemini for Home,' Google's new assistant for smart-home ecosystem
20 Aug 2025
Google has announced a major upgrade for its smart home ecosystem, the "Gemini for Home."
The new voice assistant will be powered by Google's Gemini AI and will eventually replace the existing Google Assistant on Nest smart speakers and displays.
The update is expected to provide hands-free control of various tasks like managing smart lights, playing music, setting timers, and answering questions.
A major upgrade for Google Home
Significant change
Gemini for Home is set to be a major upgrade for Google Home, possibly the biggest since the launch of its first smart display over six years ago.
Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer of Google Home and Nest, said in a blog post that using Gemini for Home will "feel fundamentally new."
He added that the new voice assistant leverages Google's AI models' "advanced reasoning, inference, and search capabilities" with adaptations for more natural interactions.
Gemini for Home can respond to complex requests
Enhanced capabilities
Gemini for Home is designed to better understand context, nuance, and intention.
It can accurately respond to complex requests such as "turn off the lights everywhere except my bedroom," or "set a timer for perfectly blanched broccoli."
The new assistant will also simplify tasks like creating lists, calendar entries, and reminders.
Another major upgrade is Gemini Live integration into Gemini for Home, allowing more conversational interactions without repeatedly saying "Hey Google."
Response to Amazon's Alexa Plus
Competitive edge
The launch of Gemini for Home comes as a response to Amazon's generative-AI-powered Alexa Plus assistant, which is already in millions of households.
While Google has made some incremental upgrades with Gemini for Home, this new voice assistant marks a major leap forward.
However, it remains to be seen if Google will follow Amazon's subscription model with its Nest Aware or Google One plans for the paid tier of Gemini for Home.
Gemini for Home to be available in October
Launch details
Google plans to roll out Gemini for Home in October through an early access program with free and paid tiers.
However, the rollout is likely to be gradual, similar to Amazon's approach with Alexa Plus.
As of now, Google hasn't refreshed its smart speakers or displays since 2021. Given the significance of this update, new hardware designed specifically for it could be launched alongside, later this year.
