Google is slowly rolling out its Gemini-powered Google Assistant to some users of its smart speakers. | Photo: Dan Seifert / The Verge
Google has slowly started rolling out a Gemini-powered Google Assistant to some Google Home users on select Nest smart speakers. The company first teased a smarter Google Assistant for the home in August and is starting with Gemini-powered answers to your general knowledge questions. The regular Google Assistant will still handle things like smart home and music requests, but you’ll hear a chime before the Assistant responds with an AI-powered answer.
As detailed by Google in a new support document, Gemini in Google Assistant on Nest speakers (that’s a branding delight right there) can answer wider-ranging questions with more in-depth answers — similar to Gemini on Android and iOS. You can also ask it follow-up questions and interrupt the response to ask another question, although you’ll still need to say “Hey Google” each time.
First spotted by 9to5Google, the Gemini-enhanced Assistant began appearing on speakers earlier this month. However, it’s only available on Nest Audio and Nest Mini (2nd gen) smart speakers — Nest smart displays or earlier generations speakers aren’t compatible. The AI-powered answers are also only open to users in Google Home’s Public Preview, who are…
