Google assistant – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Google Assistant

Google Assistant may have come after Amazon introduced Alexa into the world, but it’s rapidly making up for lost time. The voice assistant from the search giant is available on everything from your phone to headphones, to smart speakers and even TVs. With over 1 million “Actions” and a rapidly expanding list of supported devices, Google’s smart assistant will soon be everywhere.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
You can now talk to Google Home again without saying “Hey Google” every time.

When Google launched Gemini for Home, it put one key feature behind a paywall. Continued Conversation became available only on Gemini Live, which required Google Home Premium.

Starting today, users in Early Access can once again ask follow-up questions to Google’s voice assistant on their Google Home devices without saying “Hey Google” every time, and without paying. Another bonus is that the feature now works with all supported languages and in all regions.

Talk Naturally, Get Things Done Faster: Continued Conversation arrives on Gemini for Home

[Google Nest Community Blog]

Google will settle its Assistant spying lawsuit for $68 millionGoogle will settle its Assistant spying lawsuit for $68 million
How AI broke the smart home in 2025 

The arrival of generative AI assistants in our smart homes held such promise; instead, they struggle to turn on the lights.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Camera support could be the boost Matter needs

The 1.5 spec fills a huge gap in the standards’ promise of universal smart home compatibility.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Google says its confusing Gemini Home rollout is going just greatGoogle says its confusing Gemini Home rollout is going just great
My face is my key with ADT’s Google Home-focused security system

6

Verge Score

Smart security, no hands required.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
The problems with AI in the smart home

After years of false starts, the promise of ambient intelligence has arrived, but will it be worth the price?

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Google hints at a new Nest HubGoogle hints at a new Nest Hub
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
I’m hosting a smart home AMA on the site today.

Amazon and Google just launched a bunch of new smart home hardware and software features this week, and I know you have questions. I haven’t tested any of them yet, but I got some hands-on time with the new gadgets and spoke with folks at both companies about the new features, so come ask me anything! I’ll go live at 1 PM ET.

I tried Amazon and Google’s new smart home gadgets this week, ask me anything!

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
I tried Amazon and Google’s new smart home gadgets, ask me anything!I tried Amazon and Google’s new smart home gadgets, ask me anything!
Google’s new Nest cams are designed for GeminiGoogle’s new Nest cams are designed for Gemini
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Hey Google, meet Gemini: the new voice of your smart homeHey Google, meet Gemini: the new voice of your smart home
Google’s Home Speaker looks and sounds better — but you can’t get it yet

First look at Google’s new $99 Home Speaker, launching in 2026 with a vastly improved Gemini assistant

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Walmart’s Onn cameras were developed with Google and start at just $23Walmart’s Onn cameras were developed with Google and start at just $23
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
You can now control more Google Home devices from your desktop.

An update to Google Home for web lets you control more devices from your browser, including Nest thermostats. A new Devices tab alongside Cameras and Automations tabs now lets you view the live status of and control connected gadgets such as lights, locks, blinds, robot vacuums, garage doors, plugs, and switches.

Nest thermostats can now be controlled from a new Devices tab on Google Home for web.
Nest thermostats can now be controlled from a new Devices tab on Google Home for web.
Screenshot / The Verge
First look at the Google Home app powered by GeminiFirst look at the Google Home app powered by Gemini
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Nest is dead, long live Google Home

With Nest stripped for parts, can Google’s new AI-powered Google Home win back users?

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Google Nest may become Google Home again.

The speaker spotted at Google’s Pixel event could be called the Google Home Speaker -- reviving the original branding of Google’s smart speakers, which was dropped in 2019 in favor of Nest.

Code spotted by 9to5Google suggests the new name. The speaker is expected to arrive on October 1st.

The new Google Home speaker will reportedly have 360 audio.
The new Google Home speaker will reportedly have 360 audio.
Screenshot The Verge
Tariffs kill the Starling Home Hub, Google Nest’s best bridge to Apple HomeTariffs kill the Starling Home Hub, Google Nest’s best bridge to Apple Home
Google’s first Gemini smart home speaker detailed in leakGoogle’s first Gemini smart home speaker detailed in leak
Gemini for Home is Google’s biggest smart home play in yearsGemini for Home is Google’s biggest smart home play in years
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
This is how malicious hackers could exploit Gemini AI to control a smart home.

This Wired article shows how an indirect prompt injection attack against a Gemini-powered AI assistant could cause the bot to curse in responses and take over smart home controls by turning on the heat unexpectedly or opening blinds in response to saying “thanks.”

In a report dubbed “Invitation is all you need” (Sound familiar?), their Google Calendar invite passed instructions to the AI bot that were triggered by asking for a summary. Google was informed of the vulnerabilities they found in February and said it has already introduced “multiple fixes.”

Dominic Preston
Dominic Preston
Gemini is ready for your Wear OS watch now.

Google’s AI is rolling out to more wearables, after the company announced it was coming at I/O in May, then debuted it on the Galaxy Watch 8 this month.

Gemini replaces Google Assistant, and should be available from the Play Store for any watch running Wear OS 4 or later that has Assistant. But if your watch doesn’t have Assistant already, you’re not getting the Gemini upgrade.

Google Gemini on Wear OS widely rolling out

[9to5google.com]

Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Improved Google Home this fall.

Increasingly frustrated users of Google’s smart home platform just got tossed a lifeline. After apologizing for Google Assistant’s reliability, the platform’s chief product officer offered this promise:

Ecobee’s video doorbell now integrates with Google HomeEcobee’s video doorbell now integrates with Google Home
A Gemini-boosted Google Assistant is now available on some Nest speakersA Gemini-boosted Google Assistant is now available on some Nest speakers
Every smart home device that works with Matter

All the Matter-compatible devices you can buy, plus the latest on the smart home standard backed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and Samsung.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
How to use Google Gemini on your phoneHow to use Google Gemini on your phone
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Google Assistant gets Siri-ous on Android Auto.

After a recent update, Android Auto now displays a circle with Google Assistant’s trademark four-color bar along its edge when the voice assistant is waiting for a reply from users.

As 9to5Google notes, it bears at least a little resemblance to Siri’s glowing orb, which is set for a glow-up when Apple updates that UI for Apple Intelligence.

Android Auto adds a new Google Assistant UI during voice interactions, looks like Siri

[9to5Google]

Google Gemini, explainedGoogle Gemini, explained
Barbara Krasnoff
Google Home is still re-adding audio features it lost due to the Sonos lawsuitGoogle Home is still re-adding audio features it lost due to the Sonos lawsuit
Gemini will integrate with Calendar, Tasks, and KeepGemini will integrate with Calendar, Tasks, and Keep
Walmart’s Google-powered streaming box and smart speaker combo is liveWalmart’s Google-powered streaming box and smart speaker combo is live
Google offers non-Pixel owners a way to avoid waiting on hold with latest testGoogle offers non-Pixel owners a way to avoid waiting on hold with latest test
Jon Porter
Jon Porter
Samsung’s older TVs lose option to view a Ring doorbell’s camera feed.

As of this week, Samsung TVs released between 2018 and 2021 can’t show a video feed from the Ring Doorbell Pro, according to a support page. The news comes after Samsung also announced it would be dropping its TV’s built-in Google Assistant support as of March 1st, 2024.

Between this and the subscription price increases, it’s been a frustrating week for Ring owners.

Use a Ring Doorbell Pro with your Samsung smart TV

[Samsung Electronics America]

Google’s Gemini assistant is a fantastic and frustrating glimpse of the AI futureGoogle’s Gemini assistant is a fantastic and frustrating glimpse of the AI future
JBL Authentics 300 smart speaker review: two assistants at once

7

Verge Score

JBL is the first to make Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant coexist on the same speaker, and it works quite well. But the price you pay for that convenience feels a little uneven.

Chris Welch
Hey Google, I was using that button!Hey Google, I was using that button!
Barbara Krasnoff
The Verge’s 2023 home tech holiday gift guide

From color-changing lights to gadgets that’ll take care of dinner for you and your pets, here are some of our favorite smart home gifts.

Sheena Vasani
2023 in the smart home: Matter’s broken promises

The new smart home standard finally arrived this year. But poor implementation, significant backpedaling, and glacial progress have left it broken.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy

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