Google Gemini Takes Over Smart Home Ecosystem
Google has announced that its AI assistant Gemini will replace Google Assistant on all smart home devices starting October 2025. This major transition affects millions of users worldwide who currently use Google Nest Mini, Nest Hub, Nest Audio, and other Google Home products.
What Changes for Users
The shift from Google Assistant to Gemini represents a significant upgrade in capabilities. Gemini, based on Google's most advanced large language model, offers enhanced conversational abilities, better contextual understanding, and improved smart home control functionality. Users will notice several key improvements:
- Multi-command execution: Users can now issue multiple commands simultaneously, such as "Dim the lights and set thermostat to 21 degrees"
- Advanced cooking assistance: Gemini can automatically calculate cooking times without users needing to specify exact durations
- Complex query handling: The AI can find specific music tracks from movie scenes or answer complex questions about home automation
Gemini Live Integration
The update also brings Gemini Live to smart home devices, enabling more natural conversations between users and the AI assistant. This feature allows for extended dialogues about various topics, from planning children's birthday parties to discussing car purchase considerations.
Transition Timeline and Concerns
The rollout begins in October 2025, with global availability expected throughout Q4 2025. However, some users have expressed concerns based on previous transitions where Gemini struggled with simple voice commands that Google Assistant handled reliably. Google has assured users that extensive testing and improvements have been made to ensure a smooth transition.
The migration follows similar transitions on smartphones and WearOS devices earlier in 2025, completing Google's ecosystem-wide shift to Gemini technology.