Google is officially rolling out Gemini for Home, replacing Google Assistant across smart home devices with a more powerful, conversational AI experience.
TLDR:
- Google Assistant is being replaced by Gemini for Home, starting this October
- Natural language commands, context awareness, and voice automation will now be more fluid
- Gemini AI is also powering the next generation of smart cameras and an all-new Google Home speaker
- Some features like Gemini Live and AI summaries will require a $10/month Google Home Premium subscription
What Happened?
At Google I/O 2025 and further detailed this week, Google announced Gemini for Home, its new AI platform for smart home devices. It marks a major shift away from Google Assistant, promising a more natural, intuitive experience across devices, including speakers, displays, cameras, and apps.
Welcome to the Gemini era of Google Home, powered by our most capable AI yet. Today we’re introducing:
— Google (@Google) October 1, 2025
✨ The next generation of Gemini-powered Nest Cams and Doorbell — and the new Google Home Speaker
✨ Gemini for Home, so you can talk and collaborate more naturally with your… pic.twitter.com/6DBV7PbJNx
Gemini for Home Brings AI Power to Every Room
Gemini for Home is being positioned as a complete replacement for Google Assistant on smart home products. The shift begins in October and affects all Google smart devices released in the past decade. With Gemini, users can now speak more naturally, combine multiple commands, and create automations using just their voice.
- Commands like “Hey Google, I’m about to watch a movie, turn off the lights” will now automatically target relevant devices (like living room lights).
- Gemini can remember the context of your past request, making conversations more fluid.
- Users can skip the “Hey Google” wake word entirely when using Gemini Live, which supports continuous conversation.
For developers, this is a big opportunity. Devices already integrated with the Works with Google Home ecosystem (which includes over 800 million connected devices) will benefit from these upgrades without requiring major code changes. Google is encouraging partners to test their integrations immediately to ensure smooth performance.
Smarter Cameras with AI Notifications and “Ask Home”
Gemini is also changing how cameras work in smart homes. Google has launched a dedicated program to help camera makers build AI-powered hardware that taps into Gemini’s smart detection and processing.
Highlights include:
- A new Google Home camera embedded SDK that handles on-device machine learning, working across both Google Nest and partner devices
- New features like Gemini AI Descriptions, which add smart summaries to event recordings
- A new capability called Ask Home, which lets users ask questions like “Did I leave the garage door open?” based on their recorded footage
- The Home Brief feature that summarizes hours of footage into a short, readable digest
Walmart is Google’s first launch partner, introducing two affordable Gemini-powered devices: the onn Indoor Camera Wired and onn Video Doorbell Wired with up to 1080p resolution and smart alerts.
Gemini Premium and the Future of Google Home Hardware
While many Gemini features will be available for free, premium features like Gemini Live, Ask Home, AI notifications, and extended cloud video storage will require the new Google Home Premium subscription, priced at $10 per month. It’s also bundled with Google’s AI Pro and Ultra plans.
Looking ahead, Google also gave a sneak peek at its upcoming Gemini-powered Google Home speaker, coming spring 2026. Priced at $99, the device will include:
- A built-in processor for running Gemini AI locally.
- Noise suppression and echo cancellation.
- A dynamic light ring that visually indicates AI activity.
- 360-degree audio and the ability to pair with Google TV for surround sound.
- An eco-friendly design using 3D-knitted fabric.
Google says the late release is intentional, giving existing users time to try out Gemini and share feedback before new hardware arrives.
What TechKV Thinks?
I think this is the most exciting update Google has made to its smart home platform in years. They’re not just rebranding Assistant, they’re rebuilding the entire experience with smarter AI. The fact that Gemini understands context, learns preferences, and allows for natural conversations is a massive step up from the robotic commands we’ve been stuck with.
That said, hiding key features like Gemini Live and Ask Home behind a $10 monthly subscription feels like a mixed bag. It’s understandable given the computing demands, but it also might frustrate longtime users. Still, with Walmart already on board and new hardware on the way, it’s clear Google is serious about leading the smart home future with AI.
