Gemini: Smart Home Update replaces Assistant
Google has been rolling out since October 1, 2025 a new AI-based assistant named Gemini for Home to speakers and displays. This replaces the previous Google Assistant and is more tightly integrated with the Google Home app and new Nest devices. While many features remain free, key features are tied to a new subscription called Google Home Premium.
Quelle: Custom Display
Introduction
Gemini for Home is a voice- and context-capable assistant that replaces the previous Google Assistant on smart speakers and displays. It is based on large language models and aims to understand longer inquiries, follow-up questions, and chained tasks ( blog.google). ). The wake word remains with "Hey Google", but Google promises more natural dialogues, new voices and personalized responses for up to six voice profiles in a household ( theverge.com).
In the Google Home app, "Ask Home" is added as a chat and voice window that translates routine creation, camera search, and device control into natural-language commands ( wired.com). ). In addition, Google integrates AI more deeply into Home APIs to enable partner devices and apps to utilize the new intelligence ( developers.googleblog.com).
On March 14, 2025, Google began the transition of the mobile Assistant to Gemini ( blog.google). ). October 1, 2025 marked the step into the home: Gemini for Home replaces the Assistant on existing Google and Nest speakers and displays. Access starts via an Early Access program in the Google Home app ( blog.google). ). The Verge reports about 10 new voices, context-aware multi-commands and profiles per person; the wider rollout is planned for 2026 ( theverge.com).
Parallel Google introduced new Nest cams and a new Doorbell with 2K video, explicitly designed for Gemini features, coming alongside a redesign of the Home app ( wired.com). ). Android Authority reports that key innovations such as "Ask Home", "Home Brief" and "Gemini Live" are included in the Google Home Premium subscription, prices range from 10 to 20 USD per month, partly bundled with existing Gemini subscriptions ( androidauthority.com). ). For hardware, The Verge mentions new 2K Nest devices as well as doubled free clip storage time and further changes to the video recording subscription model ( theverge.com).
Quelle: androidpolice.com
The Google Home app as the central hub for your smart home.
Analysis
The reorientation pursues several goals. First, Google wants to bring the Gemini AI brand across all surfaces to simplify development and marketing and to unify functionality faster ( blog.google). ). Secondly, a talkative, context-aware assistant should fulfill the promises of earlier smart-home generations: instead of rigid commands real dialogues, instead of individual switches whole task chains, instead of app-hopping a single centralized hub ( blog.google).
). Third, Google expands its platform ecosystem: Home APIs and Matter connect partners with a user base in the high hundreds of millions, enabling new app and subscription models ( developers.googleblog.com). ). Fourth, Google responds to competitive pressure from Amazon Alexa and Ring: new Nest cameras, doorbells and an announced Home speaker secure visibility in retail and provide hardware anchors for the AI services ( techcrunch.com).
Quelle: YouTube
The clip succinctly demonstrates how the new dialogue and camera features work in the Home app and helps with quick orientation.
It is documented that Google replaces the Assistant with Gemini for Home on smart speakers and displays; rollout starts via Early Access in the Google Home app ( blog.google). ). Also documented is the introduction of new devices like Nest Cam Indoor/Outdoor 2nd Gen and a 2K Doorbell together with a Home app redesign and AI-powered camera features ( wired.com). ). A subscription called Google Home Premium unlocks features such as Ask Home, Home Brief and Gemini Live; prices according to Android Authority range from 10 to 20 USD per month, with bundles for existing Gemini subscriptions ( androidauthority.com).
It is unclear how quickly older displays like Nest Hub 2nd Gen will receive all Gemini features; official roadmaps are not detailed, community threads talk of gradual updates with no firm commitments ( support.google.com). ). Also unclear in which countries exactly which subscription tiers and AI features are first available; Google generally points to Early Access and a later, broader rollout ( theverge.com).
The claim "Everything is free" is false; essential comfort features and AI analyses are tied to the Premium subscription ( androidauthority.com). ). Likewise, the statement "Nest is discontinued" is misleading; Nest remains an active brand in the smart-home space, including new 2K cameras and a doorbell ( techradar.com).
Quelle: androidpolice.com
The new Google Home interface, ready for Gemini integration.
The Verge emphasizes the biggest overhaul in years and highlights the multi-voice profile sharing and the planned broad rollout ( theverge.com). ). Wired emphasizes the more practical camera search, the new automation possibilities, and the redesign of the app controls ( wired.com). ). Android Authority criticizes the paywall for central features and explains details about prices and bundles ( androidauthority.com). ). In Google's community forums, users ask for concrete update timelines for Nest Hubs and Minis, reflecting current uncertainty ( support.google.com).
Impact
In the short term, Early Access can be activated in the Google Home app: Profile icon, Home settings, then select Early Access; devices receive the update via a rolling rollout, confirmations appear in the app ( droid-life.com). ). It is advisable to check whether the free features are sufficient or whether Google Home Premium for Ask Home, Home Brief, and longer video histories is worth it; prices and features vary by tier ( androidauthority.com).
When integrating partner devices, pay attention to Matter and Home API compatibility to build future-proof automations ( developers.googleblog.com). ). For a quick fact-check, the official Google blog posts and the respective device pages are suitable before signing up for a subscription or buying new hardware ( blog.google).
Quelle: YouTube
Open questions concern the availability of subscription packages in different regions and the transfer of existing Nest Aware subscriptions; there are mainly media reports and few detailed, country-specific FAQ pages ( theverge.com). ). Also the performance of "Gemini Live" on older speakers and displays is unclear; Google points to a gradual rollout and new devices, but robust benchmarks are lacking ( wired.com). ). How the Home APIs scale for partners when millions of devices constantly query AI analyses is also an open question; Google's developer blog describes the direction, but not capacity limits ( developers.googleblog.com).
Quelle: androidpolice.com
Gemini: The new intelligent assistant for your connected home.
Conclusion
Gemini for Home is a consistent step toward a comprehensible, dialog-driven home. Value is created through natural-language control, better camera analyses, and automated routines. Obstacles are the subscription logic and a staggered rollout that requires patience depending on region and device ( blog.google). Whoever starts today should test Early Access, weigh features against the subscription value, and in new purchases specifically target devices that are already optimized for Gemini ( wired.com).