Gemini expands across Google’s smart home lineup
Google has rolled out a broad set of smart home upgrades centered on its Gemini AI, extending the technology across Google Home devices and the main Google Home app. The reveal includes a redesigned app designed to work with every device Google has shipped since 2015 — from thermostats and cameras to smart locks — and a new Google Home Speaker scheduled to launch in Spring 2026 for $100. The move signals a stronger push to blend voice, automation, and AI into a cohesive home ecosystem.
In short order, Gemini-enabled features will appear on existing devices, with the company promising a phased rollout that prioritizes devices released in the last decade. The refreshed app is organized around three core areas: Home for device management, Activity for a full event history, and Automations for creating more complex routines. Google’s engineers emphasized that the interface is built from the ground up to be faster and lighter on resources, claiming loads times up to 70% quicker on select Android devices and lower battery and memory usage.
A redesigned app with three sections and faster performance
The three-tab layout is complemented by a new conversational interface called Ask Home. It lets users issue natural language commands to control devices, pull clips from cameras, or trigger multi-step actions with a single instruction. Alerts have also evolved: notifications can describe context-rich events—such as “a delivery person with flowers”—instead of a generic alert, making it easier to understand what happened at a glance.
Meet the Google Home Speaker and how it fits into Gemini
Alongside the software upgrades, Google introduced the Google Home Speaker, a round, flat smart speaker with a fabric cover and a subtle bottom LED ring designed to deliver 360-degree audio. It supports stereo pairing and can integrate with Google TV for enhanced TV sound, appealing to households looking to upgrade both listening and living-room experience. The device includes a physical mic-mute switch for privacy-conscious users and is designed to work in tandem with Gemini for ongoing tasks such as calendar management, device control, and daily planning.
Introducing Google Home Premium: what’s included and who pays
To access the advanced Gemini capabilities, Google announced a new service tier called Google Home Premium. This tier consolidates features such as continuous conversations with Gemini Live, daily summaries (Home Brief), smart alerts, and more powerful recognition. Access to these features will be subscription-based: $10 per month or $20 per month for a more capable plan. Existing Google AI Pro or Ultra subscribers will receive the Premium features as part of their current plans, but most users will need to opt into a paid tier to take full advantage of Gemini’s capabilities.
Rollout, pricing, and consumer reception
The company emphasized a broad rollout, starting with its latest devices but extending to older models over time. While the promise of faster, more capable voice control and richer automation is compelling, the paid tier has sparked debate among users. Proponents say the upgrade unlocks a deeper, more proactive smart home experience, while critics worry about ongoing monthly costs for features that many users hoped would be included in the base experience. Privacy-conscious users will also appreciate the hardware switch to disable the microphone, a reminder that AI-driven homes come with trade-offs as features become more capable.
What this means for the smart home market
Google’s Gemini push mirrors a broader industry trend: AI is not just a feature, but a system-wide capability that aligns devices, software, and services under a single intelligent umbrella. By tying Gemini’s most advanced features behind a subscription, Google is betting on a model that could redefine how enthusiasts plan, manage, and enjoy a connected home. The success of this approach will depend on how seamlessly the premium features integrate with everyday routines and whether the value justifies the ongoing cost for the average user.
Final thoughts
With Gemini-powered updates arriving across the Google Home ecosystem and a dedicated paid tier, Google is shaping a smarter, more responsive home environment. If the combination of an upgraded app, a versatile new speaker, and prioritized AI-driven automation delivers reliably tangible benefits, the move could set a new standard for smart-home experiences—even as it introduces a new recurring expense for some households.
