Google’s Gemini Takes Over Nest Audio: A Colorful AI Revolution in Your Smart Home
Get ready for a splash of color in your smart home! Google is signaling a significant shift in its AI strategy by bringing its Gemini AI to Nest Audio speakers. Users participating in the Google Home Public Preview are reporting a vibrant blue and purple glow emanating from their devices, replacing the traditional white lights. This marks a visual confirmation of the integration of Gemini, Google's next-generation AI assistant, into its smart speaker ecosystem.
The new color scheme, reflecting Gemini's branding, appears to be exclusive to users enrolled in the preview program with experimental AI features enabled. According to reports, this change is currently observed on Nest Audio devices running Cast firmware version 3.75.468348. While some users have reported seeing the Gemini lights on their Nest Mini (2nd gen) devices, the feature seems to be primarily rolling out to Nest Audio users first. Interestingly, there are no confirmed reports of the update hitting Nest Hubs yet, though speculation abounds about how Gemini will manifest on those devices, perhaps mirroring the upcoming Google TV experience.
This seemingly cosmetic change carries significant implications for Google's branding strategy. For a long time, the company maintained that "Gemini models" would enhance the existing "Google Assistant" experience on devices like Nest speakers. However, recent announcements suggest that Google is moving towards unifying its AI offerings under the Gemini banner. At CES 2025, the company indicated that "Assistant" on Android/Google TV would be upgraded with Gemini models, an experience now referred to as "Gemini on Google TV." This shift hints at a broader transition towards "Gemini on Nest speakers" and other smart devices.
While some users are enjoying the colorful upgrade, a few have reported issues. One user reported that their Nest Audio became unresponsive after the Gemini lights appeared, urging caution for those participating in the preview program. If you encounter problems, unregistering from the Public Preview and resetting your speaker might restore normal functionality.
The move to unify under Gemini makes strategic sense for Google as it doubles down on AI as a core element of its ecosystem. The blue and purple lights on Nest Audio could be the first visual cue that the Assistant brand is phasing out. With competitors like Apple and Amazon intensifying their AI-powered smart home efforts with revamped Siris and Alexa+, the next phase of the smart home wars is undoubtedly going to be fascinating.
Is Google's decision to unify under Gemini the right one? Are you excited about the future of AI in your smart home? Do you like the new colors? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
