Google's Gemini AI Powers Up Smart Homes: Nest Devices Get Smarter

10/01/2025 AI

It looks like Google is seriously upping its smart home game! Fresh off Amazon's announcement, Google just unveiled a revamped lineup of Google Home and Nest devices, all powered by their new Gemini AI. I think this is a really interesting move, as they're not just focusing on selling you new gadgets, but also on making Gemini accessible across different devices and brands.

Making AI Accessible

The interesting part for me is that Google isn’t limiting Gemini to just their own products. They're following a similar strategy to Android, where they offer their own Pixel devices, while also allowing other manufacturers to integrate with their platform. According to Anish Kattukaran, Google wants Gemini to be available on more than just one brand of devices, because it might be inaccessible to some people. Google is launching a bunch of updated Nest devices, like the Nest Cam Outdoor, Nest Cam Indoor, and the Nest Doorbell, all leveraging Gemini's capabilities. They even gave us a sneak peek at a new Google Home speaker coming in 2026, plus some budget-friendly cameras and doorbells made in partnership with Walmart. If you are an existing user, you might get Gemini right away, if you have the right hardware.

More Than Just Gadgets

The aim isn’t to force everyone to buy new stuff to experience the AI revolution. Instead, Google wants to tap into the 800 million devices already in their ecosystem, connecting them through Google Home Cloud-to-Cloud APIs and the Matter standard. This means devices from different brands should play nice together. It's like they're building a universal translator for your smart home. The idea behind Gemini is to create AI-powered devices that can understand and respond to you more naturally. For instance, imagine asking it to play "that song from that movie with Ben Affleck in space," and it instantly plays Aerosmith from "Armageddon." Then, you could ask about the lyrics or similar songs. It's all about making interactions feel more conversational. Gemini will also be able to help with everyday tasks, like managing calendars, lists, timers, and reminders. Instead of adding ingredients to a shopping list one by one, you could simply say you want to make "vegetarian pad thai," and Gemini will create a shopping list with the right ingredients for the number of people you specify. For cameras and doorbells, Gemini can analyze the footage and provide summaries or highlights of important events. No more endless notifications! Google is also rolling out a redesigned Google Home app that’s faster, more stable, and powered by Gemini AI. In the app, Gemini will describe events captured by your cameras, summarize the day’s activities, and direct you to specific clips when you ask. Google is also offering a "Gemini Live" mode for more natural conversations. You can chat without having to constantly say "Hey Google," making it easier to brainstorm, ask complex questions, and get creative ideas. While some of the new devices are already hitting the market, like the Nest and Walmart products, the upgraded Google Home speaker won't be here until spring 2026.