Gemini’s initial arrival on Google Home wasn’t quite the game-changer that many had imagined. However, slowly but surely, the integration is getting there.
Just last month, Google Home gained new Gemini-powered automation features that let your smart home react to what your home security cameras see. Now, Google’s giving Gemini for Home more accurate and detailed weather forecasts, enhanced video browsing, conversational volume controls, and more!
Gemini gives Google Home cameras smarter automation powers
Gemini can now turn camera activity into smart automations
The tech giant indicated that these upgrades are rolling out now with version 4.18 of the Google Home app (via 9to5Google).
You’ll now see an improvement in speech and display weather forecasts based on your preferred temperature unit (Celsius/Fahrenheit). Additionally, Gemini for Home can now also offer contextual hourly forecasts as visuals.
For example, you’ll be able to ask the assistant about specific times of day. Like, “Will it rain at 3 PM today?” On your smart display, the query will return with a detailed hourly weather forecast with matching hourly charts highlighted on the screen.
Elsewhere, within the same update, Google is also making it easier for you to browse, find, and play video, movies, and TV shows on your smart displays.
- Enhanced Video Browsing: Stream your favorite music videos, launch recommended playlists, or trigger video search queries naturally on YouTube. For example, say “What’s hot in K-Pop right now?” and follow-up with “play some videos for me.”
- TV & Movie Playback: Stream movies and TV shows on smart displays directly from your favorite subscribed services using natural voice commands. For example, say “Play the latest episode from Made by Google channel on Youtube” and follow-up with “play the next one.”
- Conversational Volume Controls: Control your device volume naturally using casual or conversational phrasing (e.g. “lower it a tad” or “Turn it up a smidge”).
Gemini in Google Home just got a lot faster and smarter
The Google Home app is also getting some nice usability improvements
Elsewhere, version 4.18 of the app also brings better News Briefs. The tech giant said that across all Gemini-enabled Nest devices and smart speakers, the traditional ‘daily brief’ is being replaced by an interactive experience.
Similar to Gemini Live, during news briefs, your smart home device’s microphone will remain on. If a specific catches your attention, you will be able to interrupt and ask the assistant to dive deeper.
These updates are rolling out now with version 4.18 of the Google Home app.
