Google Home’s latest update makes Gemini better at understanding your commands

Google has rolled out a significant update to its Home app, enhancing the Gemini AI assistant's ability to control smart home devices through more natural language. The core improvement allows users to describe desired lighting atmospheres, such as 'the color of the ocean,' with Gemini interpreting the prompt to select the appropriate hue. Beyond lighting, the update enables more precise control over appliances and climate, letting users issue commands like 'preheat the smart oven to 350 degrees' or set specific humidity levels. Google also notes improvements in Gemini's device identification, helping it distinguish between similar items like a 'lamp' and a 'light' to complete requests faster and more accurately.

This update is part of a broader push to make smart home interaction more conversational and reliable. It follows recent additions like Live Search for cameras and follows the integration of Gemini as the primary voice assistant. Furthermore, Google is expanding access, allowing children with supervised accounts to use Gemini for Home controls. The company simultaneously announced enhancements to Gemini Live, the feature for back-and-forth conversation, making its news summaries on smart displays and speakers 'deeper and more interactive.' Users can now ask for news catch-ups during a live conversation, receiving detailed summaries on topics like tech news. All these features are currently rolling out to users.