In summary
- Gemini for Home our in US
- Coming to rest of world 2026
- Google offers 100 uses for it
With Gemini for Home now rolling out in early access for US users, Google has shared some of the cool things you can do with its voice assistant.
Earlier in the month Google announced that it was bringing its Gemini for Home AI assistant to most of its older smart speakers. It promises you give that dusty old Google Nest Mini a whole new lease of life. Here’s how to register for it.
Just recently the company revealed that the assistant would be rolling out in the US from 28 October (that was yesterday), while other countries would have to wait until 2026.
While most of us are waiting to get our Gemini for Home kicks, Google has supplied an extensive list of 100 things to try with the new provision. Here are just a few of our favourites.
Ben Patterson/Foundry
Instant help with home repair emergencies
Get quick advice on home repair issues. Anyone who owns or rents a home (and isn’t well disposed to DIY) will be familiar with that sinking, helpless feeling when something goes wrong and you have no idea what to do.
Think leaks, water pressure issues, and the like. Now (or soon) you can just ask “Hey Google, I think my kitchen sink has a leak.” Or, “Hey Google, how can I get better water pressure in my shower?” and you’ll start a conversation about the best way to address the issue.
Stick with the mood
Liking the song that’s playing on your current random playlist, and want to stick with the general mood? Just say “OK Google, what are some other songs similar to this one?” and your speaker will provide.
Take your music with you
As someone with a series of Google speakers and ancient Chromecast audio devices dotted around the house, it can be a pain moving music to a new location.
With Gemini for Home, I’ll be able to say “Hey Google, move the music to the living room speaker”, and it’ll switch to the appropriate output. Easy.
Check on your dog’s walkie status
Even as someone who doesn’t have a large household, a dog, or a Nest camera, this next one sounds cool.
Ask “Hey Google, did someone take the dog out today?” and it’ll analyse the footage captured with said camera(s) to give you an informed answer.
Get your eggs right
Setting cooking timers is a primary use case for my household’s kitchen Nest hub, and they’re about to get smarter. Not only can you ask Google to “add five minutes to the chicken timer,” but you can also ask it to “set a timer for a perfectly soft-boiled egg.”
Have Google tell you a story
I’m not sure how useful this is – maybe if you have a really bored kid? – but this one sounds very clever. You can have Google tell you a story along a particular theme, such as asking it to “tell me a story about a boy and his pet dragon.”
Even cleverer, you can then steer the adventure along the way. Such as, “Hey Google, have them go searching for the magic crystal.”
Find exactly the right book for you
If you’re anything like me, you love reading, but can find it difficult to find precisely the right book for your mood. This one could help with that – just ask “Hey Google, give me a list of the best detective novels, set in a historical period”.
Insert your own granular terms for the ideal book (or film, presumably) to meet the moment.
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