Google brings smart home integration to the Gemini application it offers for Android users, allowing users to manage their home devices with more natural language commands. This new feature, introduced as part of Google Home’s Public Preview program, allows users to manage various operations through a single application, from turning on the living room lights to running the vacuum cleaner for kitchen cleaning. With natural expressions such as “Prepare the dining room for a romantic evening”, devices such as lighting, air conditioning, television and sound systems can now be controlled via Gemini. However, Google still directs users to the Google Home application for devices that require security, such as cameras and door locks.
This new Google Home add-on in the Gemini app can be described as part of Google’s vision of making smart home technologies more user-friendly. Smart home controls, previously done via Google Assistant, now offer a more direct and interactive experience within the Gemini app. With this innovation, it seems that Google is one step closer to its goal of creating a password-free and more secure home ecosystem in the long term. In addition, users can give commands more easily and ensure a smooth transition between various devices in the Google Home ecosystem. Especially for users who have a large smart home system, this increases functionality by making it possible to carry out controls through a single interface.
Increasing competition with Amazon and Apple
These innovations by Google attract attention at a time when competitors such as Amazon and Apple are also working on similar features. While Amazon is updating its natural language-supported command system for Alexa, Apple is taking steps to include Siri in smart home integration. However, it is stated that it may take until 2025 for all of Amazon’s new Alexa features to reach the user. On the other hand, although Apple plans to add an artificial intelligence-supported upgrade to Siri, it is stated that Siri is not yet at a level to compete with Google and Amazon in smart home control.
Users who want to access the Google Home add-on must participate in Google Home’s Public Preview program. This feature, which is currently supported only in English, may be available in more languages in the near future. Users can enable this feature by logging into the Gemini app with the same Google account as Google Home. Although Gemini does not always automatically use the Google Home plug-in, the system can be directed to this plug-in by adding the phrase “@Google Home” at the beginning of the command. In this way, users can control many devices at home in an integrated manner with natural language commands.
While these innovations made by Google in smart home integration improve the user experience, they also intensify the competition in the sector. These new features of Google stand out as an important step, especially for users who want to manage their smart home devices more easily and securely.