Google reports 3.5 million users tested Gemini for Home and teases a new Home Speaker

At a glance:

• Over 3.5 million users have tested Google's Gemini for Home AI assistant since its early access launch last October.
• Feedback drove more than 2,500 bug fixes, over 50 major feature updates, and expanded availability to 20 countries in 10 languages.
• Google teased a new Home Speaker arriving next week, aiming to meet its spring deadline before June 21.

Early access traction and feedback

Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer for Google Home & Nest, sent a thank-you email to early access testers from his living room, noting he lives with over 100 of his own smart-home devices. He highlighted how the Gemini for Home preview gives users a direct line to the engineering team to share what works, where friction appears, and what they need next. He also thanked the community for helping shape a more reliable smart-home experience.

The note emphasized that the team reads every piece of feedback, even if they cannot reply to each message personally, and encouraged testers to keep sharing their experiences to shape the assistant's future. This open feedback loop has become a cornerstone of Google's iterative development approach for Nest products.

Impact: bug fixes, feature updates, global rollout

Since the program began in October, Google reports that user input has led to more than 2,500 bug fixes and over 50 major feature updates, with highlights such as Continued Conversation and upgraded media controls. These fixes address everything from voice recognition glitches to connectivity hiccups reported by testers. The bi-weekly update schedule ensures that improvements reach users quickly, keeping the assistant responsive to real-world usage. Highlights like Continued Conversation allow follow-up questions without repeating the wake word, while upgraded media controls give finer command over music and video playback.

These improvements have been rolled out on a bi-weekly cadence, expanding Gemini for Home to 20 countries and supporting 10 languages, while also refining the Home app, enhancing camera experiences, and broadening automation capabilities. The rollout reached users in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, making the assistant accessible in languages ranging from Spanish to Japanese. Home app updates introduced a cleaner interface and quicker access to routines. Enhanced camera experiences now offer better low-light performance and smarter motion detection, while automation supports a wider set of third-party smart-home devices.

What's next: Google Home Speaker tease

The email closed with a teaser for those waiting on a certain speaker, telling recipients to keep a very close eye on their inbox next week for news. Fans of the Nest audio line have been awaiting a successor to the current Home Max and Mini models for months. The hint suggests a forthcoming announcement that could detail pricing, availability, and new audio features. Keeping an eye on the inbox next week will reveal whether the speaker arrives before the spring season ends.

With spring ending on June 21, Google says it will just about meet its deadline, suggesting the upcoming Home Speaker could arrive before the season changes and further expand the Nest ecosystem. A timely launch would let Google capture early-summer shoppers looking to upgrade their smart-home setups. Industry analysts expect the speaker to integrate deeper with Gemini for Home, offering more contextual AI-driven interactions. Observers will also watch for any sustainability credentials or Matter compatibility that could broaden its appeal.