Google replaces Assistant with Gemini on Home devices this October

Google is replacing Google Assistant with its more advanced AI model Gemini on Google Home devices starting in October, marking a significant upgrade to the company’s smart home ecosystem. The transition will bring more natural language processing and enhanced integration capabilities to devices like the Google Nest Hub, potentially transforming how users interact with their connected homes.

What you should know: Gemini will be available for both free and paid Google Home users, though specific pricing and feature tiers haven’t been announced yet.

• The update launches in early access in October, with Google promising to “share more details soon” about the rollout process.
• Current Nest Aware subscribers, who pay $10 monthly, are expected to be on the early access list.
• The timing may coincide with new Google Home device releases, as the last Nest Hub launched in 2021.

Key capabilities: Gemini will enable more sophisticated interactions beyond simple commands and responses.

• Users can speak conversationally with their devices while still getting expected results like live sports scores or thermostat adjustments.
• The AI can integrate inputs from multiple Nest devices, such as video doorbells, to answer complex questions about your home.
• Coordination features allow commands like “add the ingredients to make an authentic Italian lasagna to my shopping list.”

Enhanced conversation features: Gemini Live integration will make interactions more personalized and dynamic.

• “You can also interrupt responses to refine or redirect the discussion, so you get the specific information you’re looking for quickly,” Google explained in their announcement.
• The natural language processing should make conversations feel more fluid and less robotic than current Google Assistant interactions.

The bigger picture: This move mirrors Amazon’s strategy with Alexa+, as tech giants race to integrate advanced AI capabilities into smart home platforms. Google first demonstrated Gemini for Google Home at CES 2025, building anticipation for features that could redefine voice-controlled home automation and make smart devices more intuitive companions rather than simple command-response tools.