We already knew that Google Assistant was soon to be replaced by a “new experience powered by Gemini.” Now we know what that new experience will be called, and when it’s arriving.
Gemini for Home is the name of the new Gemini-powered voice assistant for Google smart speakers and displays, including the current Nest Audio, Nest Mini, Nest Hub, and Nest Hub Max.
“Early access” to Gemini for Home kicks off in October, Google announced in a blog post Wednesday, with both free and paid versions available. Google didn’t say how much the paid version of Gemini for Home will cost.
Google had already been experimenting with Gemini on its Nest speakers over the past several months. It’s not clear if the just-announced Gemini for Home is an iteration of that effort or an entirely new assistant, but whatever it is, it’s coming soon.
Among Gemini for Home’s broad capabilities are many of the same features we’ve seen in Alexa+, Amazon’s own take on an advanced AI-powered assistant for the home.
For example, you’ll be able to ask Gemini for Home (you’ll still use the “Hey Google” wake word) to “play the song-of-the-year winner from 1990” or “play that song from this year’s summer blockbuster about race cars,” and the assistant should be able to suss out which track you’re thinking about, Google says—same as what Alexa+ can do (or should do, anyway).
Gemini for Home will also be able to decipher more complex smart home commands, such as “dim the lights, and set the temp to 72 degrees,” as well as manage calendars, lists, and timers from natural-language voice prompts (“add the ingredients to make an authentic Italian lasagna to my shopping list”).
Besides smart home commands, you’ll also be able to launch chats with Gemini via Google Live, which promises “natural back-and-forth discussion” without the need of saying “Hey Google” over and over. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help with a recipe, troubleshoot a busted dishwasher, or request a bedtime story for a youngster.
Again, this should all sound familiar to anyone who’s been following Amazon’s Alexa+, which has been very slowly rolling out over the past several months.
Like Google for Home soon will be, Alexa+ is currently in an early access period, and it allows for more back-and-forth discussion, more natural-language smart home commands (“Alexa, make it brighter in here”), help finding obscure music tracks, and providing assistance in the kitchen.
Alexa+ is free during its early preview, but will eventually cost $20 a month, while Prime members will get Alexa+ included with their various Prime benefits. The “classic” Alexa will remain completely free, Amazon has said.
Again, Google has yet to say how much the paid version of Google at Home will cost, or how it will differ from the free version.
This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers.
