Google Home app overhauled with Gemini for Home
Google has unveiled a major redesign of the Google Home app, centered around a new experience called Gemini for Home, which will take over the Assistant role for connected smart devices. The update brings UI changes, new AI features, and significant performance and reliability improvements.
What’s new
- Gemini for Home: Replaces the traditional Assistant role on smart devices and provides a more conversational way to interact with your home.
- Ask Home: A persistent, AI-powered command center in the app header for natural-language commands — e.g., searching moments in camera clips or creating open-ended automations.
- New tabs: Home (consolidated system view), Activity (notifications from all devices), and Automations (manage hands-off automations).
- Nest controls are now managed from within the Google Home app.
- Performance & reliability: Google reports the app loads up to ~70% faster on some Android devices; camera views load ~30% faster; playback failures reduced ~40%; app crashes down nearly ~80%.
Premium features
Some advanced Gemini/Ask Home features will require a Google Home Premium subscription. Google hasn’t made all premium feature details public yet — check the official blog/support pages for the latest.
Sources & further reading
- Official Google blog: Gemini for Home
- Google Nest Help: What’s new in the Google Home app
- 9to5Google coverage
What would you ask Ask Home first? Share examples in the comments below.