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ZDNET Highlights
- Google has started offering Gemini for Home for early access.
- It is compatible with most Nest speakers and existing smart home devices.
- You can sign up through the app and be notified when you’re off the waiting list.
Gemini for Home brings the power of generative AI to Google Home users, and it’s finally rolling out to some users on an early access basis. Like Amazon did with Alexa+, Google gave its popular Google Assistant the ability to generate content in response to user questions.
Also: Google’s upcoming smart home speaker may actually make a soundbar feel unnecessary
So far, Gemini for Home – like the new Siri with generative AI – has been a promise in the air. However, Google began rolling out an early access program a few days ago to let Google Home users sign up for the opportunity to test out the new voice assistant. If you’ve opened your Google Home app in the past few days, you’ve probably seen a pop-up inviting you to sign up for early access.
However, if you haven’t seen the Gemini for Home prompt in the Google Home app, you can follow these steps to sign up:
How to sign up for Gemini for Home Early Access
Make sure you have the latest version (4.1) of the Google Home app, then open it and tap your profile picture to access your account and settings.
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Follow the prompts to sign up for Gemini for Home. Once available, you’ll get a message in the Google Home app letting you know you can access Gemini for Home.
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Follow the prompts to sign up for Gemini for Home. Once available, you’ll get a message in the Google Home app letting you know you can access Gemini for Home.
What is Gemini’s zodiac sign for home?
Gemini for Home is Google’s way of upgrading its Google Assistant into a smart home that’s capable of more natural conversations. Instead of only following a single command per prompt or giving canned answers to your questions, your virtual assistant will now be able to generate its own responses.
Gemini for Home is powered by Google’s large language models (LLM) and trained on reams of data, enabling it to answer questions automatically. It also talks in a more conversational manner rather than the transactional behavior you experience with the Google Assistant. This doesn’t mean Gemini is always right – like any AI assistant, you have to tread carefully and research the information to confirm it’s correct, as they may give incorrect responses.
Also: Beware of promptware: How researchers broke into Google Home via Gemini
Will my Nest speaker work with Gemini for Home?
Most existing Nest speakers will work with Gemini for Home, including all speakers made since 2016. According to Google, these are all the speakers and displays that Gemini for Home will support:
- Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)*
- Google Nest Hub Max*
- Google Nest Hub (1st generation)
- google home max
- Google Nest Mini (2nd generation)*
- Google Home Mini (1st generation)
- Google Nest Audio*
- Google Home
- google nest wifi point
*Google Home will also support Gemini Live with Premium subscription.
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Which devices are compatible with Gemini for Home?
In addition to most current Google speakers and displays, Gemini for Home is compatible with all generations of Nest cameras and doorbells released since 2015. new onn camera And doorbells were released as Walmart exclusives.
Is Gemini for Home available without subscription?
Yes, Gemini for Home is available without subscription. If you don’t sign up for a Google Home plan, you can still upgrade Google Assistant to Gemini for Home and use Ask Home for quick searches, perform simple device queries like which lights are off, and control devices in real time with more intuitive gestures.
Also: Best Alexa devices: After testing dozens, these are worth your time
Google changed its Nest Aware subscription to Google Home Premium, which is available in two plans. A Standard plan gives you all the free features, plus Gemini Live, the ability to create automations using natural language, 30 days of event history, and intelligent alerts for your compatible security cameras. An Advanced plan includes all this and more like AI event details, AI-generated notifications, Home Briefs, Ask Home to find video history, 60 days of video events, and 10 days of 24/7 video history.
What can a Gemini do for the home?
Gemini for Home lets you talk more naturally with your virtual assistant, but it can also handle more complex commands than before. If you’re familiar with AI chatbots, consider Gemini for Home like ChatGPT, Copilot or ask Gemini to control your smart home. These bots are far more capable of handling context, nuance, and complex requests than standard smart home assistants, and Gemini for Home will do the same.
In addition to smart home requests and simple questions, here are some things you’ll be able to ask a Gemini for home:
- Hey Google, were any packages delivered this morning?
- Hey Google, close all the doors and turn on the lights in the living room.
- Hey Google, dim the lights and turn them off in 15 minutes.
- Hey Google, who sings this song?
- Hey Google, how do I use real-time translation on my Pixel Buds?
How do I know if I already have a Gemini for home?
If you’re not sure if you already have a Gemini for home, you can simply ask “Ok Google, who are you?” If you have Gemini for Home, your voice assistant will sound different than Google Assistant, so you’ll hear a more natural sound.
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Is there a new Google Nest speaker?
Google is releasing a new Google Home speaker in the spring of 2026, which will no longer be called Nest. It will cost $99 and will be available in four colors.
Is Gemini for Home permanently replacing Google Assistant?
It appears that Gemini for Home will eventually replace the Google Assistant, although we’re not there yet. Google says Gemini for Home will become the standard “Hey Google” smart home voice assistant at no additional cost, and once you upgrade to Gemini for Home, you can’t go back to Google Assistant. For now, upgrading from Google Assistant to Gemini for Home is an option, not a mandatory update.
Is Gemini for Home better than Alexa+?
If you’ve already tried Alexa+, this would be the best way to challenge the virtual assistant and see how they compare. Right now, Google and Alexa are the only mainstream smart home voice assistants available with generative AI, even though they’re both in their respective early access stages. Apple has again lagged behind in the AI arms race, as the release of the advanced generation AI-powered Siri continues to be delayed.
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I can’t say whether Gemini for Home is better than Alexa+ because I’ve yet to test Google’s advanced voice assistant in my own smart home setup, but I can at least say this: The fact that Google is launching this with a plan to replace Google Assistant at no extra cost is promising. Alexa+, on the other hand, costs $20, although it’s included with a Prime membership.
