Smart home momentum faded after an initial surge, even as ecosystems grew more capable. Adoption of the Matter standard and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence have injected fresh life into the category. AI is now making its way into home devices, and Google is positioning Gemini to lead that charge.
Gemini for Home arrives this fall
Google announced Gemini for Home during last month’s Made by Google event and said a preview would begin in October. That sets the stage for a focused pre-launch briefing, and Google appears to have scheduled it for October 1.
The centerpiece will be an upgraded Google Assistant enhanced—or effectively replaced—by Gemini-powered AI. The new assistant will be built around generative AI capabilities rather than incremental feature updates to the existing voice assistant.
New Nest hardware is likely on the way
Google’s teaser hints at more than just software. A brief flash of a Nest Cam in the trailer suggests new hardware is coming. While the pictured device resembles the current model, expectations are that Google will introduce an updated camera alongside a new Nest Doorbell.
Both devices are expected to feature 2K cameras and could be announced alongside the Gemini-powered assistant at the October event.
Rumors about a Nest smart speaker
There’s also talk of a new Nest smart speaker. A possible prototype briefly appeared during Google’s recent smartphone launch stream, fueling speculation that an updated speaker could join the lineup soon.
Whether Google will bundle new hardware announcements with the Gemini for Home rollout on October 1 remains to be confirmed, but the pieces line up for a substantial smart home push.
