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Recent updates to Google Home have delivered a handy new feature for Nest Cam owners which allows you to ask questions and get answers based on Google’s AI watching your home in real-time.

Real-time Find Hub location sharing is coming to Google Messages for a more integrated experience on Android.

Now Playing is one of the Pixel’s oldest features and Google is getting ready to give it a big app “upgrade.” 

When the Android desktop interface leaked last month, there was a Gemini icon in the status bar. We now know a bit more about that persistent access.

It’s been clear for a while that Google is working to let Gemini control your Android phone, and we now have some details on how this “screen automation” will work.

Back in 2021, Nest Hub picked up an update that made it easy to access select functions via touch with a selection of “apps,” but they’ve vanished over the past year or so.

Gemini Live today is still based on 2.5 Flash, but big upgrades are coming according to the latest beta version of the Google app.

Currently, tapping on a Smart Reply in Google Messages immediately sends the suggestion, but the latest beta reveals an upcoming “Tap to Edit” preference that will make for a nice quality-of-life improvement.

At the moment, Gemini’s “Computer Use” efforts are focused on desktop web as seen by the Gemini Agent available for AI Ultra subscribers. Availability on Android seems inevitable, with 16 QPR3 Beta 2 preparing for that with a new “Screen automation” permission.

Just like other modern devices, the Pixelsnap Charger will see firmware updates, with the latest version of Pixel Stand revealing some details.

At this point, Google Voice is primarily an enterprise service, with the vast majority of new features for paid customers. Google Voice is now working on a “Gemini Notes” capability.

The latest Gemini for Home updates are focused on camera improvements for Nest and other compatible devices. 

The Google Home app is adding support for transferring all of your old Nest gear to the new app with a single tap, instead of repeating the process over and over again.

In addition to their ADT partnership (and investment), Google is working with AT&T on its new Connected Life security system.

Google has shown a lot of love to older Nest products recently in terms of adding new features, but users of older first-generation Nest Cams have been left with an issue that leaves the cameras offline in the Google Home app, with no clear way to fix it.

The Gemini for Home voice assistant started rolling out at the end of October, with Early Access availability currently quite limited. A trick today does not enable the new LLM-powered assistant, but does give you access to the new Gemini voices.

The latest edition of the Google Home releases notes today are not tied to a specific version of the app, and focus on Gemini for Home improvements.

The Google Phone app is working on an “Expressive Calling” feature that lets you tell the person on the other end why you’re reaching out to them, including if it’s urgent.

After their announcement earlier this month, Google has confirmed that its new Farsight Faces for the 4th-Gen Nest Learning Thermostat have widely rolled out. Here’s how to try them out.

Google is beginning to roll out the Gemini for Home voice assistant in the US for devices set to English on all Nest speakers and displays from the past decade. Make sure you’re enrolled in the Early Access program.

Ahead of Gemini for Home early access coming at the end of October, Google is rolling out a firmware update that brings new light colors to the Nest Audio and Mini. 

Home security cameras are commonplace at this point, but there’s something to be said about the ingenuity in the space. There’s a solution for every niche, and I think there are few better examples than the Wyze Bulb Cam and Wyze Duo Cam Pan I’ve been testing out as of late. They also serve as continued reminders of how much I wish Google would branch out a bit more.