The Google Home team has begun addressing the most frequently asked questions following the launch of Gemini for Home on Wednesday. This innovative feature is part of an Early Access program that aims to provide select users with a chance to experience new functionalities ahead of the general public.
The Early Access program for Gemini for Home is distinct from the existing Public Preview, which encompasses a broader range of features available in the latest Google Home app. According to Google, “Early access is an opportunity for users to be among the first to try Gemini for Home features and provide feedback as we enhance the user experience.”
It’s important to note that signing up for early access does not guarantee immediate availability. Users will be notified when the features are ready to be utilized in their homes. Currently, many users are not seeing the “Early Access” option in their profile menu, as the rollout is initially focused on specific countries.
The Early Access program for Gemini for Home will first be available in the following countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Google plans to expand this program to other countries in the future. Starting next week, users in Japan, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Sweden, and Mexico will also gain the ability to sign up for early access.
On October 28, Google Home Premium subscribers in the United States will begin receiving access to the voice assistant features of Gemini for Home. Google has announced plans to expand this access to additional countries by early 2026.
The Gemini for Home voice assistant will gradually be rolled out to compatible speakers and smart displays starting on October 28, 2023. This phased rollout aims to ensure that all users in participating markets eventually gain access by early 2026. Furthermore, Google is collaborating with third-party speaker manufacturers to make Gemini for Home available on more devices.
Here are some additional questions and answers regarding the Gemini for Home rollout:
Q: Which cameras and doorbells will Gemini for Home work on?
A: Gemini will be compatible with all generations of Nest cameras and doorbells released since 2015, as well as the new Walmart onn camera and doorbell. Users with older-generation Nest cameras will need to migrate their devices from the Nest app to the Google Home app and sign up for early access to utilize the new features.
Q: If I already have a subscription to Google AI Pro and an existing Google Home Premium Standard (formerly known as Nest Aware), do I need to cancel my Google Home Premium subscription to activate the Google AI Pro benefit?
A: You will need to activate your Google AI Pro benefit separately. For detailed instructions on how to activate the Google Home Premium benefit with Google One, please refer to the Help Center article.
Q: If I have Nest Aware through ADT, will I still receive Google Home Premium?
A: As an ADT customer, you will continue to have access to the existing Nest Aware features included with your ADT subscription. For any questions about the features available through your ADT subscription, please contact ADT customer service.
The Gemini for Home launch represents a significant advancement in the Google Home ecosystem, and the team is eager to gather user feedback to refine the experience as they expand access to more users worldwide.
