Google has begun rolling out Gemini for Home, an all-new artificial intelligence assistant built on its powerful Gemini large language model (LLM), to users in the United States through an early access program.
The new system represents a fundamental transformation of Google’s smart home experience, replacing the long-standing Google Assistant on Nest and other compatible devices.
Described by the company as the “next generation of intelligent home assistance,” Gemini for Home is designed to handle more complex, conversational, and context-aware interactions. It marks one of the most ambitious AI integrations yet within Google’s product lineup, reflecting the company’s broader strategy of embedding Gemini models across all major services — from Search and Android to Workspace and now, the home environment.
A Smarter, More Conversational Assistant
Unlike Google Assistant, which relies primarily on traditional command-based prompts, Gemini for Home draws on generative AI capabilities that allow it to interpret context, handle multi-step requests, and provide natural, flowing conversation. Google says the new system can understand nuance, remember recent interactions, and even infer intent based on household routines or preferences.
In a statement released alongside the rollout, Google described Gemini for Home as “a major step toward making smart homes truly intelligent.” The assistant can, for example, understand commands like “Prepare for movie night,” and automatically dim the lights, lower the blinds, and switch the TV to a streaming platform of choice — all in one fluid request.
Gemini for Home will eventually replace Google Assistant across all Nest Hub, Nest Audio, and Nest Mini devices, as well as third-party speakers that integrate Google’s voice ecosystem. For now, the early access phase is limited to users in the United States, but a broader global rollout is expected in the coming months.
How to Get Early Access
Google says users eager to test the new system can request early access through a few steps. First, they must visit their Google Groups settings and ensure that under “Global Settings,” the option “Add me to their groups” is checked. This enables participation in Google’s early access testing programs.
Next, users should open the Google Home app, tap their profile picture (or initials), navigate to Home settings, and look for an Early Access option. From there, they can submit a request to join the Gemini for Home pilot.
Once approved, Gemini for Home will automatically replace Google Assistant across all linked smart home devices. However, Google warns that there is currently no option to revert to the older Assistant once the switch is made — a sign of the company’s firm commitment to transitioning entirely to Gemini-based AI.
New Premium Features and Subscription Integration
The rollout also introduces several premium features that are accessible only through a Google Home Premium subscription. Among them is Gemini Live, an interactive voice and video feature that allows users to converse with their assistant in real-time through natural dialogue rather than static prompts.
Subscribers will also gain access to advanced camera history search, where Gemini for Home can analyze recorded video feeds to locate specific events — such as “when someone delivered a package” or “when the front door was left open.”
Google notes that these features rely on more intensive computing through Gemini’s multimodal processing capabilities, which can analyze both visual and textual data.
A Step Toward the “AI-First” Smart Home
This move marks Google’s major push to unify its AI systems under the Gemini banner. The assistant’s deployment within the home marks another step toward what CEO Sundar Pichai earlier this year described as the company’s vision for “AI that works everywhere — for everyone.”
Gemini for Home is seen as Google’s strongest attempt yet to reinvigorate its smart home business, which has lagged behind competitors like Amazon’s Alexa in recent years. The company hopes to reassert leadership in a market that is rapidly shifting toward AI-powered ecosystems.
According to internal briefings shared during Google I/O earlier this year, Gemini for Home is capable of understanding multimodal inputs — combining voice, image, and environmental data to make decisions. For example, it could identify who’s speaking, interpret gestures, or respond differently based on time of day or location within the house.
The launch comes amid Google’s wider rollout of Gemini models across its ecosystem. In 2024, Google fully replaced its Bard chatbot with Gemini, later integrating it into Gmail, Docs, and Android devices. Bringing the same technology into homes completes a key part of that expansion, positioning Gemini as the company’s universal AI platform.
The assistant will not only handle tasks like managing thermostats or controlling lights, but also act as a digital companion capable of summarizing daily schedules, syncing calendars, reading emails, and even generating custom responses or reminders based on household activities.
While the early access period will serve as a testing ground for stability and user experience, Google’s long-term plan is to phase out the old Assistant entirely. That transition will unfold over several months, as Nest device firmware and the Google Home ecosystem update globally.
The company has not announced when the rollout will expand beyond the U.S., but internal guidance suggests that the next wave of testing could include Canada, the U.K., and Australia before year-end.
