Google initiates a trial for a new 'Voice Assistant' funded by Gemini, exclusively for Android users
Google is set to revolutionise smart home interactions with the launch of its new AI assistant, Gemini, replacing Google Assistant on Google Home smart devices from October 2025. The update will initially be available as an early access programme on Android smart displays and speakers, offering both free and paid subscription versions [1][2].
The new assistant promises more natural, conversational interactions, allowing users to engage in complex, integrated tasks such as coordinating inputs across Nest devices or managing shopping lists by voice [1][2]. Key features include Gemini Live, which enables real-time, free-flowing conversations for more precise information, and multimodal integration that leverages inputs from other Nest devices like video doorbells for answering complex contextual queries about the home environment [1][5].
The launch will also see the introduction of new smart hardware, including the Gemini smart speaker with support for Gemini Live, multi-color options, Matter hub functionality, and enhanced pairing with Google TV for spatial surround sound [3].
With Gemini, users will gain tighter, more interactive control over their home environment. The assistant's ability to respond to natural speech and allow immediate adjustments or redirections improves task completion speed and accuracy [1][5]. Moreover, AI-created automations become more sophisticated and context-aware, as Gemini can coordinate tasks based on inputs from multiple devices [1][2].
The introduction of free and subscription-based tiers suggests differentiated capabilities, with users who pay potentially gaining earlier or enhanced Gemini features, though full pricing and feature boundaries are yet to be clarified [2].
In addition to these developments, Google is advancing the "help me create" test in the Home app, offering more automation starters like weather-dependent triggers and date-based triggers [1]. Furthermore, the AI's large language model in the Public Preview delivers more "in-depth" answers for users on a range of general topics [1][2].
Users can choose how people can access Assistant experiments on all eligible devices in their home, with options for Everyone or Require Voice Match [1]. If Voice Match is required, access to the experiments is restricted to those who have set up Voice Match in Google Home [1].
The Public Preview test for Google Home's Assistant involves Gemini's AI, allowing users to ask follow-up questions after receiving an answer [1]. Previously, Gemini was tested in the Public Preview for Nest devices in December [1].
I/O 2025 held more in store for Home, including better AI-created automations and more [1]. The new "Voice Assistant" experiment, noticed by 9to5Google, is part of this evolution, while the "Home Summary" test provides bite-sized notifications about home events on Pixels [1]. The "summaries" test for Google Home, mentioned at I/O 2025, is intended to provide users with home event summaries on their lock screen [1].
In summary, the Gemini integration in Google Home on Android represents a significant shift to a more capable, conversational AI assistant with improved contextual understanding and richer multimodal interactions, enhancing user control and automation in smart homes [1][2][5].
[1] - Source: 9to5Google [2] - Source: Android Central [3] - Source: The Verge [4] - Source: Google I/O 2025 Keynote [5] - Source: Google Blog Post
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