Google Assistant’s Gemini Voice Overhaul Begins Rolling Out to Nest Speakers
If you’ve noticed a new and more conversational tone coming from your Google smart speakers, you’re not imagining things. Some Google Home users are reporting that their Nest devices are starting to speak in a fresh, more natural-sounding voice, signaling the rollout of Google Assistant’s much-anticipated Gemini upgrade.
In a Reddit video, a user with a Nest Mini prompted Google Assistant by saying, “Hey Google, what’s up?” The reply was unexpectedly chatty and included a fun, scientific explanation: “What’s happening right now is that we’re on a giant rock moving through space at 1,000 miles an hour and orbiting a giant star made up mostly of hydrogen. Also, we’re chatting, which I enjoy.” But when asked a follow-up weather question, the voice returned to its usual, standard tone, providing a regular weather update.
According to 9to5Google, users can check if the Gemini-enhanced Assistant has reached their device by asking the same “Hey Google, what’s up?” command. If the Assistant replies, “I’m just putting the finishing touches on my New Year’s plan,” then the upgrade hasn’t been rolled out yet.
Back in August, Google announced that Nest speakers would be receiving a makeover powered by the Gemini platform, promising a more natural-sounding voice and better comprehension. While we won’t likely see a full-fledged “advanced voice mode” like ChatGPT, the upgrade aims to make Assistant conversations feel smoother and more intuitive, with less of the robotic, stilted responses of the past.
It’s also expected that the updated Assistant will recognize follow-up questions without the need to repeat the wake words, “Hey Google.” For routine tasks like weather updates, the Assistant will still use its old voice. However, for more complex or conversational queries, you’ll experience the new Gemini-powered response.
Google’s Gemini upgrade will be available on all existing Nest devices, including the Nest Mini. This approach mirrors Amazon’s own plans for Alexa’s upgrades across Echo devices, in contrast to Apple’s more limited rollout, which is set to be restricted to its newest hardware.
