Google has begun gradually introducing the Gemini-powered Google Assistant to select Google Home users who utilize specific Nest smart speakers. The company had previewed this enhanced, home-focused Google Assistant as early as August, initially leveraging Gemini technology to address users' general knowledge queries. The traditional Google Assistant will continue to handle smart home and music requests, but users will hear an audible prompt before receiving AI-driven responses.

According to Google's latest support documentation, the Gemini-enhanced Google Assistant on Nest speakers is capable of answering a broader range of questions with more detailed responses, similar to Gemini’s functionalities on Android and iOS platforms. Users can also follow up with additional questions or interrupt responses to ask different queries, though they must still say "Hey Google" each time.

Earlier this month, 9to5Google first discovered that the Gemini-enhanced Assistant had started appearing on some speakers. Currently, this feature is only available on Nest Audio and Nest Mini (second generation) smart speakers, and it is not compatible with Nest smart displays or older speaker models. AI-driven answers are also limited to users in the public preview of Google Home who are Nest Aware subscribers and have opted into the experimental AI features. However, not all preview users have access to this final feature.

If selected to use the experimental AI feature, users will receive a notification in the Google Home app inbox. This will allow them to enable the experimental AI feature button and begin testing the Gemini-powered Google Assistant.

Additionally, users will gain access to other generative AI features announced in August: Gemini-powered camera search and description functions to help filter Nest security camera footage (requires Nest Aware Plus), and the "Help Me Create" feature, which allows users to set up daily Google Home routines with just a few sentences.

Despite the limited rollout, Google remains the first of the three major tech companies to publicly introduce new generative AI features in a smart home voice assistant. Amazon aggressively launched a smarter Alexa last year but has yet to deliver on its promises, while Apple has remained silent on enhancing Siri for its smart home products.