Google is doubling down on its smart home ambitions, and the changes are bigger than ever. This week, the tech giant acknowledged that the Google Home app hasn’t always delivered the best experience. But that’s about to change. Alongside the launch of new Nest devices and an upcoming smart speaker, Google is upgrading the Home app with Gemini AI, bringing smarter controls, a redesigned interface, and a long list of performance improvements.
For years, the Google Home app has served as the hub for connected devices, but many customers have complained about sluggish navigation, frequent crashes, and long loading times. During a press briefing, Google Home and Nest Chief Product Officer Anish Kattukaran openly admitted that the app “has not been the experience that we’ve always wanted it to be.” Before the team could even roll out AI-powered features, they had to fix the fundamentals: speed, stability, and reliability.
Months of work have already paid off. The updated app now uses less memory and power, launches 70% faster, and crashes 80% less often. In the last year alone, Google pushed more than 100 updates, expanded support to 800 million devices across over 50,000 partner companies, and added countless small enhancements. Just a year ago, the ecosystem supported 750 million devices. A clear sign of rapid growth.
But the real headline is Gemini. The Google Home app now runs on Gemini AI, replacing the older Google Assistant. With Gemini, the app processes natural language more effectively, making it easier for users to control multiple devices or create automations with simple commands. A new feature, Ask Home, lets people type or say requests like “lock the front door after 10 p.m.” or “dim the living room lights,” and the system responds faster and more accurately than before.
The redesign also introduces a cleaner layout built around three tabs: Home, Activity, and Automations. This organization makes it easier to locate devices, review household events, and set up custom routines. By centralizing control and simplifying navigation, Google has made smart home management more intuitive for both beginners and experienced users.
To match the software overhaul, Google is releasing a new Google Home smart speaker and updated Nest Cameras and Doorbells, all optimized for Gemini’s capabilities. These devices integrate more closely with AI features like intelligent motion detection and activity summaries, while offering stronger hardware performance. Google is also introducing Google Home Premium, a subscription service that provides advanced users with extended video history, deeper insights, and more sophisticated automation tools.
Together, these updates mark one of the most significant shakeups in Google’s smart home strategy. With AI at the center, faster performance, and a friendlier interface, Google Home now stands as a stronger rival in the crowded smart home market.
Through the Gemini upgrade, Google is making a clear statement. The Home app is no longer just a control panel. It’s evolving into a true digital assistant for the modern household. For millions of users worldwide, this could be the start of a smarter, smoother, and more connected way of living.
