A new generation of smart home controls is coming to everyone with Google’s Gemini AI

Google is expanding its Gemini app to make smart home controls more accessible to everyone. The Google Home extension within Gemini is now rolling out a host of new features, building upon its existing functionality that allows users to manage smart lighting, thermostats, speakers, and other compatible devices linked to their Google account.

Initially previewed last November, this extension enables users to interact with their smart home devices using natural language commands. For instance, you can simply say, “The sun is too bright in the living room,” and Gemini will close your smart blinds. What’s new is Gemini’s ability to handle multiple requests in a single interaction. For example, you can now say, “Turn on the armchair light too, but dim the kitchen lamp,” and the system will carry out both actions seamlessly.

In addition to controlling devices, Gemini now lets users inquire about the status of their smart home gadgets. You can ask whether you’ve left the porch light on or if other devices are still running. Furthermore, Google has added the convenience of controlling “non-sensitive” smart home devices, like lights, directly from your phone’s lock screen, making quick adjustments even easier.

Other notable updates include enhanced media controls. You can now adjust the volume, pause, or resume playback on smart speakers, displays, and TVs directly within the Gemini app. The thermostat control interface has also been redesigned to match the intuitive layout of the Google Home app. For security-related actions, such as managing cameras and locks, Gemini will now automatically open the Google Home app for added safety and convenience, instead of merely linking to it as before.

This update aligns with Gemini’s broader capabilities, which were recently enhanced to support more complex tasks across multiple applications. To try these integrations, simply sign into Gemini using the same Google account linked to your Home devices and activate the Google Home extension. The feature launches today and will gradually roll out to all users in the coming weeks.

Categories: Technology
Pratik Patil: