Google's AI-Powered Voice Assistant Gemini Now Available for Early Access
A decade ago, when smart speakers with built-in voice assistants were the latest craze, people dreamed of having a highly intelligent companion - like C-3PO or Star Trek's Data living inside a speaker. However, as virtual assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant seemed to sit on the sidelines, waiting for something more revolutionary to arrive, those dreams were put on hold.
But now that generative AI has finally arrived, smart speakers are taking the first steps towards making their owners' expectations a reality. The new version of Google's voice assistant, Gemini for Home, is now available in early access, offering users an unparalleled conversational experience.
Before diving in, keep in mind that Gemini for Home is still in its beta phase. This means it will likely make mistakes, and you can report any errors to Google using the Google Home app or saying "Hey Google, send feedback." With this caveat in mind, let's explore how to get your hands on the latest AI-powered voice assistant.
The compatible devices with Gemini for Home include the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), Google Nest Audio, Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) and Google Nest Hub Max. These models support Gemini Live, which enables natural follow-up questions in conversational chats. On the other hand, other supported devices like the Google Nest Wifi point, Google Home Max, Google Home Mini (1st gen) and Google Home won't have this advanced feature.
It's also worth noting that once you upgrade to Gemini for Home, your compatible devices can no longer be downgraded to Google Assistant. This might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it's essential to keep in mind before making the switch.
To get started with early access to Gemini for Home, head to the Google Home app on your mobile device and tap "Home Settings > Early Access." You'll need to confirm that your speaker is compatible before being accepted into the beta program. This might take a little while, but rest assured, you'll be chatting with Gemini in no time.
When you finally get access to the AI-powered voice assistant, all your smart speakers will automatically upgrade to Google's more intelligent AI assistant. You can now throw advanced questions at it, similar to what you'd ask text-based chatbots like ChatGPT. The possibilities are endless - from simple queries about basketball history to complex topics like Wi-Fi technology.
For those who want a more premium experience, there's an optional paid subscription available for $20 per month or $200 per year. This upgraded tier unlocks additional features such as camera history search. However, the standard plan will still provide access to Gemini Live, making it worth considering if that's all you need.
With Google's AI-powered voice assistant, Gemini for Home is finally taking steps towards becoming a highly intelligent companion. The possibilities are endless, and with its advanced features, users can now interact with their smart speakers in new and exciting ways.
A decade ago, when smart speakers with built-in voice assistants were the latest craze, people dreamed of having a highly intelligent companion - like C-3PO or Star Trek's Data living inside a speaker. However, as virtual assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant seemed to sit on the sidelines, waiting for something more revolutionary to arrive, those dreams were put on hold.
But now that generative AI has finally arrived, smart speakers are taking the first steps towards making their owners' expectations a reality. The new version of Google's voice assistant, Gemini for Home, is now available in early access, offering users an unparalleled conversational experience.
Before diving in, keep in mind that Gemini for Home is still in its beta phase. This means it will likely make mistakes, and you can report any errors to Google using the Google Home app or saying "Hey Google, send feedback." With this caveat in mind, let's explore how to get your hands on the latest AI-powered voice assistant.
The compatible devices with Gemini for Home include the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), Google Nest Audio, Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) and Google Nest Hub Max. These models support Gemini Live, which enables natural follow-up questions in conversational chats. On the other hand, other supported devices like the Google Nest Wifi point, Google Home Max, Google Home Mini (1st gen) and Google Home won't have this advanced feature.
It's also worth noting that once you upgrade to Gemini for Home, your compatible devices can no longer be downgraded to Google Assistant. This might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it's essential to keep in mind before making the switch.
To get started with early access to Gemini for Home, head to the Google Home app on your mobile device and tap "Home Settings > Early Access." You'll need to confirm that your speaker is compatible before being accepted into the beta program. This might take a little while, but rest assured, you'll be chatting with Gemini in no time.
When you finally get access to the AI-powered voice assistant, all your smart speakers will automatically upgrade to Google's more intelligent AI assistant. You can now throw advanced questions at it, similar to what you'd ask text-based chatbots like ChatGPT. The possibilities are endless - from simple queries about basketball history to complex topics like Wi-Fi technology.
For those who want a more premium experience, there's an optional paid subscription available for $20 per month or $200 per year. This upgraded tier unlocks additional features such as camera history search. However, the standard plan will still provide access to Gemini Live, making it worth considering if that's all you need.
With Google's AI-powered voice assistant, Gemini for Home is finally taking steps towards becoming a highly intelligent companion. The possibilities are endless, and with its advanced features, users can now interact with their smart speakers in new and exciting ways.
I'm so hyped about this! It's like, we've been waiting for like forever for something like this to come along. Gemini is gonna change the game, trust me 
. The fact that it's already available in early access means that Google is serious about making it happen. Plus, it's not just about the tech - it's about having a personal assistant that can actually understand what you're saying and respond accordingly 
. And those camera history search features for the paid subscription? Game changer! 
. Gemini for Home is the future of smart speakers - who needs C-3PO when you can just talk to your speaker? 
It's amazing how far Google has come since those early days with Google Assistant. Now we get to enjoy seamless conversational experiences, natural follow-up questions, and even camera history search! 
Not to mention the potential for endless knowledge sharing - ask it anything from basketball history to Wi-Fi tech, and it'll do its best to answer. I'm stoked to be part of this early access program and can't wait to see what Gemini has in store for us 
. But for real, the fact that it can understand complex questions and respond accordingly is insane 
.
. I'm curious to see how this thing evolves and what kind of stuff users will be able to ask it in the future 
. One thing's for sure, though - smart speakers just got a major upgrade 
!
. It's crazy how far we've come, from just basic voice commands to having actual conversations. The fact that it can answer complex questions and even ask follow-up ones is mind-blowing 
. Can't wait to explore all the possibilities and upgrade to the paid subscription for more features 
! It's like having your own personal robot butler 
. Can't wait to try it out on my nest hub 
. Still super excited to see where this tech takes us!
