Meet 'Gemini for Home': Google's new assistant for smart-home devices
What's the story
Google is giving its smart home product lineup a major makeover by replacing Google Assistant with Gemini for Home. The tech giant announced the change in a blog post, saying that the new AI-powered system will revolutionize how people interact with their smart speakers and displays. It will also enhance the functionality of devices like cameras, doorbells, and the Google Home app.
Enhanced interaction
Gemini for Home can handle real conversations
Unlike its predecessor, Google Assistant, Gemini for Home is designed to handle real conversations instead of rigid commands. The new system remembers context, so users don't have to repeat themselves. It can even handle complex requests like "Turn off all the lights except the office." This makes interacting with smart home devices much more natural and intuitive.
Feature upgrade
New features include 'Gemini Live' and 'Ask Home'
The new system also comes with a host of new features. Users can choose from 10 new natural-sounding voices and get smarter suggestions for tasks like shopping lists, cooking, or reminders. They can control devices with more flexible and human-like commands. New features include "Gemini Live" for free-flowing chats, "Ask Home" for smarter device control, and "Home Brief" for daily summaries from smart cameras.
Camera upgrade
AI-powered camera alerts will explain what's happening
Google is also upgrading its smart cameras with Gemini for Home. The new system will provide AI-powered alerts that explain what is actually happening. For instance, it can identify a delivery driver dropping off a package instead of just showing a "motion detected" alert. This makes the security feature of smart cameras much more effective and user-friendly.
Rollout plan
Rollout begins this month through early access program
The rollout of Gemini for Home will begin this month through an early access program in the Google Home app. While the core upgrade is free for existing devices, advanced features like Gemini Live and AI-powered camera summaries will be part of a new Google Home Premium subscription. The subscription starts at $10 per month and is also included with Google AI Pro and Ultra subscriptions at no extra cost.