Smart Home Transformation: From Google Assistant to Gemini
Last year, I experienced deep disappointment with the inconsistent Google Home ecosystem. Both Google Assistant and Siri seemed unreliable, and with the arrival of Matter interoperability, I felt no longer tied to a single smart home platform. The switch from Google Assistant to Gemini for Google Home brought new hope that I could still use my Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max as the main controllers in my smart home.
Gemini: A New Solution for Nest Devices
Since last October, I have been using Gemini as my Google Home assistant, and I am very pleased to see my Nest devices working well again, including those up to ten years old. The Nest Hub (2018), Nest Hub Max (2019), and Nest Battery Doorbell (2021) now operate harmoniously thanks to Gemini as the main controller. The experience of using Gemini feels much more enjoyable compared to the slow and unresponsive Google Assistant version I had before.
Decline of Google Assistant Capabilities
The decline of Google Assistant's capabilities has been widely discussed. Several features were removed, including 28 features in early 2024 and another seven in March. Although not all directly impacted the Google Home platform, the removal of these features clearly indicates an unpleasant direction. There were times when my Google Nest hardware did not respond at all to my requests, or commands and automations were ignored. Towards the end of Google Assistant's life in my smart home, I was even confused about which was worse, Google Assistant or Siri.
Gemini's Advantages in Smart Home Control
Gemini manages to do many things I need from my smart display. For example, I can give stepwise commands like, “Set an alarm every 15 minutes between 6:00 and 7:00,” and my Nest Hub executes it well. I also use similar commands on my Wear OS smartwatch, and the Gemini experience across platforms feels consistent. Although Gemini sometimes takes time to process requests, the results are usually satisfying. When I ask the Nest Hub to raise or lower the air conditioner temperature, I can hear it working instantly.
All features work as expected, especially in smart home control. While Google does not deserve praise merely for matching the previous Assistant experience, they do deserve credit for improving some aspects. For example, after upgrading to Gemini, my Nest Hub, which previously could not display the Nest camera feed, can now do so.
Gemini in Daily Life
One of the best things about Gemini is how it answers everyday questions. For instance, if I need to replace the battery in an AirTag or adjust the turntable speed, Gemini can guide me with simple and accurate information without referring to web search results. I use the Nest Hub Max more often in the kitchen than the Nest Hub at my desk, and Gemini has truly changed how I cook. I can tell Gemini what ingredients I have and ask for suitable recipes. Gemini provides several options and helps me with clear instructions, without directing me to Google search results.
Drawbacks and Hopes for Gemini
Of course, Gemini is not perfect. There are some specific questions it struggles with, and I cannot understand why. For example, I can ask about the weather or team scores but cannot ask about wind temperature or game statistics. Additionally, there are AI limitations, such as when I request a vodka sauce recipe. I just want to cook, not do something questionable!
I hope there is a lightweight mode that can handle basic questions without relying on the cloud. Responses are sometimes slow, and I never get the same answer twice. Although Gemini offers interesting features, some should not be locked behind a subscription. At my home, I enjoy the full Gemini experience, but when visiting my parents' house, I feel like I am using a much more limited assistant.
With all these changes, I do not know if Gemini manages my smart home better than Google Assistant did in its prime. However, one thing is certain: my aging Nest devices now work better thanks to Gemini, and that is good news. My Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, and Nest Doorbell Battery are nearly eight, seven, and five years old, and I feel reconnected to the Google Home ecosystem thanks to the free upgrade to Gemini.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/google-assistant-ruined-my-smart-home-gemini-saved-3674394/
