Latest news with #NestSpeakers
Android Authority
01-07-2025
- Android Authority
These Google Nest speakers are getting three new voices
Lil Katz / Android Authority TL;DR Google's Nest smart speakers with Gemini-backed Google Assistant are getting new voices. The three new voices are also named after plants, as were the seven previously made available by Google in December 2024. Gemini-powered Google Assistant is still an experimental feature, available only in the US. Google's ongoing mission to replace the traditional Google Assistant with Gemini has largely been limited to Android phones. Other devices, such as smart speakers and other Nest devices, are also in the fold, but the enhancements have been voluntary. Back in December 2024, Google enabled Gemini-backed responses on Nest devices as an experimental feature and is now adding small enhancements to entice more users to jump on board. Google has recently been testing new voices for Google Assistant responses powered by Gemini on Nest speakers. Spotted by 9to5Google, the following new voices add to the previously released seven, bumping the count to ten: Yarrow with a deeper, warm voice, with a deeper, warm voice, Croton with a deeper, smooth voice, and with a deeper, smooth voice, and Pilea with a higher, bright voice. As with the last set of improved voices for Google Assistant, the new ones also follow plant-based naming. Since these voices are also backed by Gemini, they sound more natural and less robotic than the four pre-Gemini era voices, namely Red, Orange, Amber, and Green. Based on the preview shared by 9to5Google, these new voices sound calmer and seem to have a slower rhythm compared to the previous options. How to enable Gemini-powered Google Assistant on Nest speakers Along with more natural voices, Gemini magic in Google Assistant offers diverse responses with more context. However, since this feature is voluntary, it must be turned on. Here are the steps to activate Gemini's responses on Nest smart speakers: Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, and tap the yellow conical flask icon on the top right. If you haven't already done so, tap Join Public Preview to access Gemini features. Toggle on 'Experimental AI features.' Return to the previous screen and tap the Settings icon at the bottom right. Tap Assistant voice & sounds, where you should see the new voices; you can choose one of them. Since these features are part of Google's experimental roll-out, they may not be available for everyone. Additionally, this test is limited to the US and only for English language, so don't be disheartened if you can't access the new voices just yet. To learn more, visit our detailed guide on how to try out Gemini-enhanced Google Assistant on Nest devices. Meanwhile, Google also has other plans to use Gemini and enhance your Google Home experience from smart devices, such as smart tags, doorbells, thermostats, etc. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Forbes
Gemini Lands On Google Nest Smart Speakers
(Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Google's AI charge has stepped up a notch, with users on Reddit suggesting that Gemini has hit their Nest smart speakers. According to a report on 9t05Google, some users - who state that they are enrolled in the Google Home Public Preview program - have spotted a new visual twist when interacting with their Nest Audio speakers: the familiar four-light animation has swapped its usual white tones for Gemini's signature blue and purple glow. The update, according to the report and user submissions on Reddit, seems to appear only if you've got 'Experimental AI features' enabled, and only on devices running Cast firmware version 3.75.468348. So far, this color makeover hasn't shown up on the 2nd-gen Nest Mini, which is also eligible for the preview. There's no sign yet that Nest Hubs have joined the Gemini experiment yet, but it's seemingly only a matter of time, especially with Google already testing a Gemini-powered Google TV experience. Last year, Google told us that it would use Gemini models to power a more advanced Assistant, but still kept the old Google Assistant name for smart home devices. However, in March, Google confirmed that the Assistant would be phased out in favor of Gemini. Millions of users have already made the change on newer Android smartphones but, beyond mobile, Google also announced that it was expanding Gemini's reach to other device types that had previously relied on the Google Assistant, such as tablets, cars, headphones, smartwatches, speakers, smart displays, and TVs. Unifying everything under Gemini makes sense as Google pushes AI as the heart of its ecosystem, and those purple lights might just be the first clue that the Assistant brand is on its way out. With a revamped Siri set to launch later this year - potentially with new Apple smart home hardware - and the AI supercharged Alexa+ already rolling out, it's going to be fascinating to see how the next phase of the smart home revolution plays out.
The Verge
18-05-2025
- The Verge
, rather than the usual white LEDs, on their Nest Audio speakers,
Wes Davis Gemini is getting colorful on Nest speakers. Some Reddit users are reporting seeing a blue-and-purple gradient 9to5Google reports. My colleague Jennifer Pattison Tuohy is seeing the same. It's the color scheme for Gemini, Google's AI assistant that it's slowly replacing Google Assistant with. The company started testing Gemini on its Nest smart speakers in December. You need be enrolled in the Google Home Public Preview and opt into experimental AI features to try it out.
