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GEMINI HOME VOICE ASSISTANT: EARLY ACCESS NOW AVAILABLE – HERE’S HOW TO JOIN

Your smart speaker is about to get a major upgrade.

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In an era where smart speakers were hailed as the next big technological breakthrough, many envisioned them evolving into advanced companions like C-3PO or Data. However, the journey has been slower than anticipated, with virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri often feeling stagnant. All of that is about to change with the arrival of Google’s Gemini for Home voice assistant.

Gemini is now available for early access, and here’s everything you need to know before diving in.

THE FUTURE OF YOUR SMART SPEAKER

It’s essential to note that Gemini for Home is currently in its early access phase. Google is keen on gathering user feedback on its features, so if it misses the mark, they encourage you to send feedback through the Google Home app or by simply saying, “Hey Google, send feedback.”

COMPATIBLE DEVICES WITH GEMINI FOR HOME

Before you proceed, ensure your speaker model is compatible with Gemini. The full experience is supported by:

• Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
• Google Nest Audio
• Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
• Google Nest Hub Max

These devices will allow you to interact with Gemini Live, enabling seamless conversation that understands follow-up questions in a natural way.

Other devices will have a more limited experience — they won’t support Gemini Live but can still run other features of Gemini. This includes the original Google Nest Hub, Google Home Max, Google Home Mini (1st gen), and others.

Do keep in mind that opting for Gemini means bidding farewell to Google Assistant on those speakers, as upgrading to Gemini will lock your devices into this new ecosystem.

SIGNING UP FOR EARLY ACCESS

To sign up, head to the Google Home app on your mobile device. Tap your profile picture at the top right corner, navigate to Home Settings > Early Access, and you’ll be in line for the beta program. Unfortunately, you might have to wait a bit for confirmation.

Once accepted, an in-app notification will introduce you to Gemini for Home, guiding you through the setup process. Should you accidentally dismiss the notification, don’t worry! Just check under Home settings in the app to revisit the setup.

EXPERIENCE THE UPGRADE

Once you’ve completed the setup, your home speakers will boast an upgraded version of Google’s AI assistant. You can engage it with more sophisticated inquiries, comparable to text-based chatbots like ChatGPT, but in a voice interaction format.

Subscription Note: To fully utilize Gemini Live, a Google Home Premium subscription is required — currently priced at $10 per month or $100 annually for the standard plan. An advanced tier is also available for $20 per month or $200 per year, with additional features like camera history search.

GETTING STARTED WITH GEMINI

Gemini provides a range of functionalities right out of the box:

• Quick Facts: Want to know the top basketball scorers? Just ask!
• Dietary Assistance: Chat about ingredients tailored to dietary needs.
• Complex Explanations: Get simple explanations for complicated topics like Wi-Fi mechanisms.

It’s still a work in progress, but it’s certainly moving towards fulfilling those initial expectations we had for smart speakers.

CONCLUSION

With Gemini for Home on the horizon, your smart speakers are stepping into a new era of intelligence and interactivity. Whether you’re preparing to sign up for early access or contemplating upgrading, the potential promises a more engaging and helpful experience in your daily life. Keep an eye on your Google Home app, and consider taking the plunge into the future of voice assistants.

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