Google just gave its smart home lineup a serious brain upgrade. Gemini, the company’s new AI assistant—think Google Assistant on steroids—is now available across Google Home and Nest cameras and displays dating back to 2015. Unlike the old Assistant, which occasionally feels like it’s half-listening, Gemini actually understands conversational queries and follow-ups in context, so your devices might finally stop pretending they don’t get you.
We got a firsthand look at Google Gemini at the 2025 CEDIA Expo, 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 across every Google Home speaker, smart display, camera, and doorbell from the past 10 years, along with all new devices, through the updated Google Home app. This allows your existing smart home gear to take advantage of more natural, context-aware AI interactions without needing an upgrade.
Hey Google, Now Smarter
According to Google’s Blog, Gemini lets you have real back-and-forth conversation, deciphers vague questions, and simplifies automations. For example, after asking, “Hey Google, my dishwasher isn’t draining, what should I check first?” you can follow up simply with, “Hey Google, the filter looks good, what should I check next?” Gemini understands you’re still talking about the dishwasher, so you don’t have to start the whole conversation over.
In addition, Gemini can reason from vague questions. You can say, “Hey Google, play the song from the movie where a bunch of oil workers fly to space to blow up an asteroid, “ or find a podcast by asking, “Hey Google, play a recent podcast featuring Sundar Pichai,” and Gemini will understand and find the show and episode for you.
Simpler and natural language automation now becomes much easier. Simply say, “Create an automation to turn on the porch lights and lock the front door every day at sunset,” and it’s done. You can even get creative to help protect your home while you’re away. Just ask Gemini to “turn different lights on and off throughout the evening to make it look like someone is home,” and it will create a routine 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 Displays:
- Nest Hub (2018)
- Nest Hub Max (2019) *
- Nest Hub (2nd gen) (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 Floodlight (2021)
- Nest Cam Indoor (2K) (2025)
- Nest Cam Outdoor (2K) (2025)
- Walmart onn Indoor Camera Wired (2025)
Doorbells:
- Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen) (2018)
- Nest Doorbell (battery) (2021)
- Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) (2022)
- Nest Doorbell (2K) (2025)
- Walmart onn Video Doorbell Wired (2025)
* Google Gemini Live
Feature Comparison
| Google Gemini | Google Assistant | |
| Purpose | Advanced and sophisticated AI that can execute complex, nuanced interactions and tasks. | Voice Assistance for quick commands and answers to questions. |
| Strengths | Complex Conversations Creative writing Coding assistance Strategic planning Advanced problem-solving In-depth Information with more context and detail Workspace Integration – works smoothly with Google Workspace | Familiarity over time Availability on approximately 50,000 devices across 10,000 brands. Easy to use for basic control of devices, such as TVs, smart speakers, and smart home products. |
| Limitations | Higher latency may be due to a more complex architecture. Some features may require a paid subscription | Less capable of complex analysis, creative content generation, or in-depth conversation |
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 begins this month, October 2025, with speakers and smart displays starting toward the end of the month.
To join, open the Google Home app (version 4.0 or higher), tap your profile icon, go to Home settings, and select Early access. You’ll be notified 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 conversational and capable.
Additional advanced features, including Gemini Live, AI-powered Notifications, Home Brief, video history search, and creating automations with Ask Home, will be available through the new Google Home Premium subscription.
The Bottom Line
AI is now part of daily life, and Google Gemini marks the next step in smart home evolution, replacing Google Assistant with a system that handles complex commands and conversations naturally. It’s a powerful tool for convenience and content discovery—but like James Cameron warned with The Terminator and Minority Report imagined, this constantly learning AI knows more about you than you realize. Gemini shows the promise of smarter, more connected homes while reminding us that advanced AI comes with a little paranoia built in.
Price & Availability
Google Gemini Plans start at $10 a month and are also included with Google AI Pro ($19.99) and AI Ultra ($249.99) subscriptions at no extra cost beyond the initial AI Pro and AI Ultra costs.
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