Gemini for Home is a new voice assistant that replaces Google Assistant on smart speakers and displays, featuring a redesigned Home app for Android and iOS, announced on October 1, 2025.
Voice assistant capabilities
Gemini for Home is optimized for communal environments and is spatially aware. It offers 10 new voice options with natural pacing and intonation. Commands can be given without following a specific structure, especially for smart home requests. For instance, if you say, “Hey Google, I’m about to cook, can you turn on the lights,” it will understand to turn on the kitchen lights.
Users can string together multiple instructions, and Gemini can process complex requests with exceptions. For example, you can say, “Turn on all the lights except for the kitchen lights, and lock the front door.” The “Ask Home” functionality allows users to inquire about activities in their home.
Google emphasizes that you can converse with Gemini as you would with a person. Context is preserved for back-and-forth exchanges, and users can change their requests mid-sentence. Everyday actions like playing audio have been improved, allowing requests such as, “Hey Google, play that song from the climatic scene where they are dancing at a summer camp.”
AI camera features
Gemini for Home introduces AI cameras that utilize Gemini’s multimodality to understand scenes. Alerts and video history will provide AI descriptions, such as “delivery driver is placing a package on the porch.” Inquiries like “Did something eat my plants?” can yield specific responses based on past observations.
Conversational search allows users to ask questions about their video history, such as “What time did the kids get home?” or “Did I leave the car door open?” Access to these features requires Google Home Premium Advanced. A new Home Brief summarizes important events and can be customized for specific focuses.
Google Home app redesign
The redesigned Google Home app provides access to new capabilities on mobile. Google has implemented around 100 improvements, making startup 70% faster and reducing crashes by 80%. The app features a conversational “Ask Home” text chat for accessing Gemini commands and capabilities.
Users can issue device commands and create automations through natural language requests. The app’s bottom bar has been streamlined from five tabs to three, focusing on “Home,” “Activity,” and “Automations.” The new Editor allows for a native experience on Android and iOS.
Rollout details
The redesigned app is rolling out globally starting today on Android and iOS. Users can sign up for “Early access” by following specific steps in the app. The preview program will initially focus on searching video history and creating automations. Testing of Gemini on speakers and smart displays will begin later this month.
