- Do you have gemini for home questions? Google has some answers
- AI upgrades, subscriptions and older devices are all covered
- The roll out of new devices and new features are relatively slow
Google has renewed its smart home ecosystem with new devices, new subscriptions and updated AI, and it has left many users confused about what is changing and why – and now Google is striving to tackle some of the most common questions in a new Google Home Forum post.
First up is Gemini for the home, which also replaces Google Assistant on the new hardware and older devices. At the basic level, it’s a free update with no continuous subscription and you can use Gemini to search for devices, ask quick queries (which “Is the bedroom light turned on?”) And issue basic voice commands (such as “Turn off the light of the bedroom”).
There are also two paid subscription options, Google Home Premium Standard and Advanced, which replace the nest -conscious and which we have covered in depth. These give you access to the more conversation gemini live, the ability to create automations with AI, AI search for video clips and up to 60 days video history from your home security cameras.
Paying extra also gets you an AI-driven home card that summarizes smart home events, and messages that use AI to summarize movement detection events. If you are already subscribing to Nest Aware, you will be transferred to the new plans and they are also gathered in Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra subscriptions.
Google has only specified US pricing, but it seems that nest -conscious prices will be transferred in all regions: $ 10 / £ 8 / AU $ 15 a month for the default plan and twice the one for the advanced plan. If you have any questions about shifts and other bundles, Google will provide more relevant help articles.
Available now … sort of
Google plays it safely in terms of rolling out all this. Gemini for the home is now available through an “early access program” in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland and only for cameras and door bells – and you must sign up through the Google Home app (select early access from the setting page).
Gemini Voice Assistant will be available – through early access – on smart speakers at the end of October, but only in the United States. Apparently, users in other countries will be able to sign up for “in the near future” – Google shows Japan, Mexico and several European countries as next on line.
Most Google Smart speakers and smart screens made since 2015 will be eligible for these upgrades, although it seems to be limited to third-party units for time. Google says it’s “working with” other companies and the new Walmart ONN devices are compatible (see here for more about compatibility).
The help article also answers some questions about the redesigned Google Home app that Google Lover will be faster and more stable everywhere. We have already seen more improvements roll out in recent weeks, and there is apparently much more on the way.
It’s a lot to take in – and while the new forum post is doing a good job of responding to the most important queries, we suspect that lots of users will still have questions about how all this works. At least it’s in the Google Home -Ecosystem away from the buggy -root it was earlier this year.
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