Google has officially taken a bold step forward in the smart home arena with the introduction of Gemini for Home, an AI-powered upgrade that reshapes how we interact with Nest devices and Google Home products. Alongside this platform update, the company also unveiled brand-new hardware: 2K Nest Cams, a Gemini-powered Nest Doorbell, and an all-new Google Home Speaker designed for immersive conversations and audio.

This marks a pivotal moment in Google’s smart home strategy. For years, Google Assistant served as the backbone of its ecosystem, offering simple commands and responses. Now, Gemini — Google’s generative AI model — is stepping in to make interactions far more conversational, intelligent, and context-driven.

The headlines

• Gemini for Home replaces Google Assistant on many Google Home devices and adds advanced, conversational AI capabilities across cameras, doorbells and the Home app.
• New Nest Cams & Doorbell: Google launched new 2K Nest Cams (and a 1080p indoor/outdoor model with battery option) plus a Gemini-powered doorbell that provides richer, contextual alerts and searchable clips.
• New Google Home Speaker: Google teased a new Gemini-powered Google Home Speaker (priced at $99) that’s due spring 2026; it will come in several colors and is designed for more natural conversations and immersive audio.
• Home Premium subscription unlocks advanced Gemini features (more detailed alerts, Gemini Live, expanded video search, etc.) and starts at about $10/month or as part of bundled AI plans.

What Gemini for Home actually does

Gemini for Home is a rework of Google Home’s intelligence layer. It:

• Replaces Google Assistant on many speakers and displays with Gemini’s conversational model so interactions sound more natural and maintain context.
• Adds contextual, descriptive alerts to Nest cams and the doorbell — e.g., instead of “Person detected” you may get “An adult wearing a red jacket near the front gate.” Those alerts can include why the clip matters and a short animated preview.
• Offers Gemini Live — near-real-time conversational features for devices and richer summaries of video history (some features gated behind the paid Home Premium tier).

The new hardware: specs at a glance

Note: exact model names may vary by region. Prices shown are publisher-reported US / EU pricing; check local Google/Nest stores for India pricing and availability.

Google Home Speaker (new)

• Type: Flagship smart speaker built for Gemini conversational AI.
• Price: $99 (Google announcement / reporter coverage).
• Colors: Porcelain, Hazel, Berry, Jade.
• Availability: Launch window announced as spring 2026; Google plans staged rollout and early access through the updated Home app.

New Nest Cams & Doorbell

Google’s announcement highlights multiple camera variants aiming to be “AI cameras”:

• 2K Nest Cam (Indoor, wired)
  • Resolution: 2K HDR.
  • Features: Improved low-light, AI descriptions, animated previews, better field of view.
  • Price (reported): around €99 / $99-ish for base 2K model in press coverage (region-specific).
• 1080p Nest Cam (Indoor/Outdoor, battery option)
  • Resolution: 1080p Full HD with HDR.
  • Features: Rechargeable battery, 130°+ FOV, designed for indoor/outdoor use, AI features scaled to the model.
• Nest Doorbell (2K)
  • Resolution: 2K (improved over prior models).
  • Features: Gemini-powered contextual notifications (who/what/what they’re doing), improved clip previews, integration with redesigned Home app and Gemini Live.

Gemini for Home: The AI Shift

At the heart of this announcement lies Gemini for Home, a complete rework of the Google Home intelligence layer. Unlike the traditional Assistant, Gemini can maintain conversational context, generate natural responses, and integrate deeply with Nest devices. This means your security camera will no longer just tell you “Person detected.” Instead, it may describe what’s happening, such as “An adult wearing a red jacket near your front gate.”

The experience is also becoming more personalized. With Gemini Live, users will gain real-time conversational features, daily summaries of activity around the home, and advanced video search capabilities. These new features aim to reduce alert fatigue while providing truly useful insights. However, it’s worth noting that many of the most advanced capabilities will sit behind Google’s new subscription tier, Home Premium, which starts at around $10/month.

New Nest Cams and Doorbell: Smarter Eyes at Your Door

Google’s new lineup of cameras demonstrates how AI can transform home security. The flagship is the 2K Nest Cam (Indoor, wired), offering sharper 2K HDR video quality, better low-light performance, and wider field-of-view. It’s designed to provide crisp, descriptive alerts powered by Gemini’s AI.

For users who need flexibility, Google also announced a 1080p Indoor/Outdoor Nest Cam with a rechargeable battery option. While it offers slightly lower resolution than the 2K model, it remains versatile and reliable for both indoor and outdoor setups.

Equally important is the Gemini-powered Nest Doorbell, which upgrades from standard video notifications to contextual, AI-driven alerts. Instead of a simple “someone’s at the door,” you might receive a description like “A delivery person placing a package near your porch.” These alerts come with short animated previews, allowing you to understand the situation at a glance.

The New Google Home Speaker: Gemini at the Center

Alongside cameras and the doorbell, Google also teased a brand-new Google Home Speaker, which will officially launch in spring 2026 at a price of $99. Unlike previous Google speakers that relied on Assistant, this device is built entirely around Gemini, offering more natural conversation and immersive audio.

The speaker will be available in a range of stylish colors — Porcelain, Hazel, Berry, and Jade — blending seamlessly with modern home décor. It’s designed not only to be a smart assistant but also a hub for music, daily updates, and connected device control, all powered by AI.

Home Premium: The Subscription Layer

While many of the basic Gemini features will roll out to existing Nest and Google Home devices, the real power comes with Home Premium, the new subscription plan that succeeds Nest Aware. For roughly $10/month, subscribers will unlock the best of Gemini for Home: detailed person and activity descriptions, more advanced clip summaries, near-real-time Gemini Live conversations, and expanded video search capabilities.

This model signals a shift in Google’s strategy — moving toward an AI-as-a-service subscription for smart home users. For casual users, the free tier may be sufficient. But for households looking to maximize security and convenience, Home Premium will likely become essential.

Availability and Rollout

The rollout is happening in phases. The new Nest Cams and Doorbell are becoming available in select regions starting now, while the Google Home Speaker is set for its global debut in spring 2026. Early adopters can already request access to Gemini for Home features through the redesigned Google Home app, which has been updated for smoother navigation, improved Nest integration, and natural-language video searches.

Google also revealed that developers and hardware partners will have access to a Gemini-enabled SDK and reference designs, allowing third-party companies to create AI-powered smart cameras and expand the ecosystem further.

Privacy and Data Handling

With AI-powered cameras comes the natural concern of privacy. Google insists that users will have full control via the Home app over what data is processed and stored. Some Gemini features will run locally, but many of the most advanced video analyses will rely on cloud processing. This setup has raised fresh questions about data security, retention policies, and third-party access — so it’s important for users to review their privacy settings before enabling advanced features.

Should You Upgrade?

If you’re already in the Google ecosystem and value smarter, context-rich alerts, the new Nest Cams and Doorbell represent a meaningful upgrade. They can cut down on irrelevant notifications while giving you actionable insights about your home. Pair them with Home Premium, and you’ll unlock Gemini Live and advanced video summaries, making the system even more powerful.

However, if privacy concerns are top of mind, or if your current Nest devices are working fine, you might want to wait. Many existing devices will still receive Gemini for Home updates, meaning you don’t necessarily need new hardware right away.

Quick comparison table

(Prices are from Google’s announcement and reporting; local pricing and tax may differ.)

Final Thoughts

Google’s Gemini for Home is not just a refresh of its smart home lineup — it’s a redefinition. By combining natural conversation, contextual AI, and advanced video intelligence, Google is pushing the boundaries of what a connected home can do.

For those eager to embrace a more intelligent, AI-driven home ecosystem, the new Nest devices and Google Home Speaker mark a compelling next step. For others, it may be wise to watch how these devices perform in the real world before jumping in. Either way, it’s clear: the age of generative AI in the smart home has officially begun.

Who should buy (and who should wait)

Buy if:

• You want more intelligent, contextual notifications from cameras/doorbells (less “noise”, more actionable alerts).
• You’re invested in the Google ecosystem and want conversational AI across Home devices.
• You plan to subscribe to Home Premium and will use video search, daily summaries, or Gemini Live.

Wait if:

• You’re concerned about privacy and want to see detailed third-party audits of Gemini’s camera features.
• You only want a low-cost basic camera or already have a Nest device doing the job — many existing devices will get updates over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my current Nest devices get Gemini features?
A: Google says Gemini for Home will reach many existing speakers, displays and Nest devices; some features will roll out via early access in the updated Home app, but the most advanced real-time or descriptive features will require Home Premium.

Q: How much is Home Premium and what does it unlock?
A: Home Premium (the successor to Nest Aware) is reported to start around $10/month and enables Gemini Live, detailed person/activity descriptions, improved clip search and other advanced camera/doorbell features.

Q: When is the Google Home Speaker available?
A: Google announced the speaker with a spring 2026 ship window and a $99 price, while the new Nest Cams and Doorbell are becoming available sooner.

Q: Is video processing done locally or in the cloud?
A: Google states it will offer controls and has invested in device- and cloud-side tooling. However, many of Gemini’s advanced analysis features will rely on cloud processing (hence the subscription model). Check the Home app settings for precise data-handling options.