The news: Google is bringing Gemini AI to the living room. Starting in October, Gemini for Home will replace Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays, per The Verge.
Gemini for Home opens new channels for contextual, voice-driven ad engagement inside households. With millions of Nest and Google Home devices expected to get the upgrade, the scale is massive and the stakes are high.
Why it matters: Google’s move comes months after Amazon rolled out Alexa+ to millions of users and weeks after it announced plans to introduce ads.
The smart home AI race is now a two-horse contest. Together, Amazon and Google control most of the smart speaker installed base, potentially shaping how households experience AI.
- Google’s AI edge: If it can successfully retrofit devices with Gemini, Google already has the AI services to drive usage. Amazon’s Alexa+ rollout, meanwhile, has been plagued by delays. Gemini for Home will offer free and paid options.