Google Home Users Get a Free Smart Home Upgrade with Gemini
Gemini’s New Integrations Roll Out to the Public
Google Home users are getting a free smart home upgrade as Gemini will now be able to control their devices. The Gemini mobile app’s new integrations, rolling out to the public, let you ask Google’s most capable AI assistant to control your smart home devices as intuitively as you would ask the AI to generate text.
What is Gemini?
Gemini, Google’s latest AI assistant, is a generative AI tool that can generate text and discuss topics with you conversationally, making the interaction almost as natural as speaking to another person.
New Integration Enables Easier Smart Home Control
The new Google Home integration enables users to open the Gemini app and ask the AI bot to turn lights on or off or control other smart devices. This brings Google closer to making Gemini the default AI assistant across all Google apps. It also makes controlling your smart home easier than ever, being one of the few available smart home assistants with the power of generative AI.
Comparing Gemini to Other Smart Home Assistants
Imagine sitting in your living room on a cloudy day, trying to read a book on your favorite chair, when you realize it’s suddenly too dark. If you have Amazon Alexa, you may ask: "Alexa, set living room lights to 50%." "Alexa, open the curtains." "Alexa, set the reading lamp to 100%." If you use the Gemini app with the Google Home integration, you could use a single prompt: "Open the curtains and set the living room lights to 50%, but make the reading lamp 100%."
More Nuanced Prompts
You can use more nuanced prompts, like "Get the house ready for bedtime but set the temperature a little warmer," to have Gemini tell your smart thermostat to set the temperature a degree or two warmer than the previous night.
Supported Devices
With the new integration, Google Home users will be able to control the following devices from the Gemini mobile app: lights, outlets, plugs, thermostats, fans, blinds, curtains, TVs, speakers, washers, coffee makers, vacuums — and more, as long as they’ve been added in the Google Home app.
Rolling Out to All Users
This update has been in public preview for the past couple of months and is rolling out to all Google Home users over the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Google Home users will now have access to a more intuitive and powerful smart home experience with Gemini. With the new integration, you can control your smart devices with more nuance and ease, making it one of the most advanced smart home assistants available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Gemini?
A: Gemini is Google’s latest AI assistant that can generate text and discuss topics with you conversationally.
Q: What devices can I control with the new integration?
A: You can control lights, outlets, plugs, thermostats, fans, blinds, curtains, TVs, speakers, washers, coffee makers, vacuums, and more, as long as they’ve been added in the Google Home app.
Q: When will the update roll out to all users?
A: The update will roll out to all Google Home users over the coming weeks.
Q: What is the main benefit of the new integration?
A: The main benefit is that it makes controlling your smart home easier and more intuitive, with more nuanced prompts and the power of generative AI.
