The Gemini for Home voice assistant is rolling out now in early access

The wait is finally over! Today, Google is officially beginning the early access roll-out of the new Gemini for Home voice assistant in the U.S. This is the foundational AI upgrade we’ve been waiting for, designed to replace the Google Assistant and make your speakers and smart displays far more conversational, capable, and helpful than ever before.

How to know if you have it and how to give feedback

This is an early access program, so the roll-out will be gradual (make sure you’re using the latest version of the Google Home app, then open the Google Home app, at the top right, tap your profile picture (or your initial), tap Home settings, Early access).

If your device gets the upgrade, your standard “Hey Google” interactions will feel noticeably different – more natural, better at understanding context, and able to handle more complex requests. Google emphasizes that user feedback is crucial during this phase. You can share your thoughts directly through the Google Home app or simply by saying, “Hey Google, send feedback.”

Remember, this core Gemini voice assistant upgrade is free for all supported devices. The more advanced features, like Gemini Live (the hotword-free conversational mode) and the AI camera features, will require a Google Home Premium subscription.

Some fun things to try

To give users a taste of the new possibilities, Google shared a massive list of 100 things you can now try with Gemini for Home. While the full list is extensive, here are some highlights that showcase the upgrade:

More Natural Conversations & Smarter Answers:

• Maintain Context: Ask follow-up questions without repeating yourself (e.g., after asking about dishwasher troubleshooting, just say “What should I check next?”).
• Complex Requests: Handle commands with exceptions (“Turn off all the lights except the office lights”).
• Vague Descriptions: Find media even if you don’t know the exact name (“Play the song from the movie where they fly into space to blow up an asteroid”).
• Deeper Explanations: Get help understanding complex topics (“Explain to my 7-year-old how electricity works” or “What’s the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’?”).
• Advanced Calculations: Ask things like, “If I have $1,000 in my savings account, how much will it increase over five years with an interest rate of 4%?”

Proactive Household Help:

• Recipe Smarts: Ask Gemini to add ingredients for a specific dish (like Pad Thai) to your shopping list, and it can ask clarifying questions about dietary needs or portion sizes.
• Intuitive Timers: Set timers for cooking tasks even if you don’t know the exact time (“Set a timer for a perfectly soft-boiled egg”).
• Troubleshooting: Get help with home repairs (“My kitchen sink has a leak”) or device issues (“How come my laptop won’t turn on?”).

Gemini Live (Requires Premium Subscription):

• Say “Hey Google, let’s chat” for a hotword-free, back-and-forth conversation.
• Brainstorm Ideas: Plan a party theme, figure out dinner based on ingredients you have, or get gift ideas.
• Creative Partner: Co-create a bedtime story with your kids, building the narrative together.
• Practice Conversations: Get help figuring out what to say in tricky situations (like talking to a noisy neighbor).

This list only scratches the surface. The arrival of Gemini fundamentally transforms your smart speakers and displays from simple command-takers into truly intelligent, conversational partners. If you’re in the U.S., keep an eye on your devices for the upgrade and start exploring!