Google has begun the rollout of its new Gemini voice assistant for smart speakers, which started two weeks ago. In a recent blog post, the company highlighted user feedback, including a comment about the assistant being “actually useful now beyond asking for today’s weather.” However, the post also addressed several common concerns, with users reporting issues such as the assistant incorrectly setting alarms and difficulties in controlling home devices.
Effective control over connected devices such as lights and locks is crucial for any home voice assistant. Gemini is intended to become the default assistant on all Google Home smart speakers and displays, making its performance in these areas particularly important. This launch is part of a broader overhaul of the Google Home app, integrating AI-powered features and the new Ask Home chatbot interface for easier access using natural language commands.
Gemini’s introduction comes alongside new capabilities for Google’s Nest security cameras, which can generate activity descriptions and provide users with a daily summary of events through the Home app. Despite the clear enhancements, reports suggest that some features, such as issuing multiple commands in one go, are not yet functioning reliably, with users experiencing mixed results.
The rollout is expected to be gradual, with full availability not anticipated until spring 2024. Current users have expressed mixed experiences, with some issues persisting from previous iterations of the voice assistant. This situation raises questions about the challenges of integrating advanced AI technologies with home automation systems. As both Google and competitors like Amazon continue to develop generative AI-powered assistants, the need for consistent performance remains a critical focal point.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/817668/google-gemini-home-rollout-is-going-great