Google announced a series of updates for Gemini Home, including “Live Search” for Nest cameras.
Released for US devices in October and November and expanded to the rest of the world in early 2026, Google’s massive AI-powered upgrade to the Google Assistant has had its ups and downs — namely, a move back from previous free features that are now paid for after a Google Home Premium subscription. However, it seems that Google is listening to feedback at least on the technology side of the Gemini Home, with another batch of developments that beat the company’s rival in Amazon’s Alexa.
On Monday, Google Home and Nest product head, Anish Kattukaran, posted on X about the latest updates coming to Google’s AI voice assistant and Nest devices, from voice command improvements to location accuracy.
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“Live Search” for Nest cameras
Google’s latest Nest cameras: Nest Cam Indoor (3rd generation), Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd generation) and Nest Doorbell (3rd generation).
Credit: Google
This is probably the most notable update Kattukaran announced: A feature only available to Premium subscribers ($10 per month or $100 per year), “Live Search” will be added to Google’s Nest cameras. This is different from Google’s “Live Search” AI feature, which allows smartphone users to request real-time information through their phone’s camera.
With “Live Search,” Kattukaran said, you’ll be able to “ask Gemini to understand the current state of your home” with questions like “Ok Google, is there a car in the driveway?” and if you have Nest cameras installed you will receive an update from Gemini. What this means for privacy and security remains to be seen, but let’s be honest, it’s been a rough time for Big Tech and AI-powered cameras.
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In another Nest development, Google Home’s integration with the Yale Lock smart lock — where you can manage security measures like passcodes and guest access in the Home app — is out of beta and in general release. And Nest Wifi Pro, Google’s WiFi system, has improved performance and security.
Correction of voice commands including interruptions
Google Home Speaker, launched on Oct. 2025.
Credit: Google
Several updates are related to how users interact with Google devices, with content improvements promised to ask Gemini common questions and provide daily instructions. A common complaint by Google Home users, disconnection while talking, has also been addressed, with Kattukaran saying that the team has “significantly reduced this premature disconnection to ensure that Gemini understands well, making it easier to change the water during live chats.”
There’s also an update on how Gemini understands the nuances of smart devices within the same room (like kitchen lights vs kitchen appliances) and those with other names (you know you named your lights dumb). “You have a device specially called ‘Table Light’?” Kattukaran wrote. “Gemini now automatically knows what light it is based on the manufacturer’s data, meaning it will respond correctly to ‘lights on’ even without the word ‘light’ in its name.”
Better location accuracy at home
Gemini Home will apparently work hard to customize responses based on your home address, which you can set in the Google Home app as usual. This means that when you ask Google about news and weather, it will be more specific to your area (this benefits people who share a Home account but may not be under the same roof all the time — people work, chat, and visit).
According to Kattukaran, Google has also tweaked the targeting command so if you ask your device to turn off the lights, for example, it will only do so in your current location (if you’re a fancy pants with a few houses and one Google Home account, this will be useful for you).
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