Early access for Gemini Home voice assistant is now available. Here's how to get it

A decade ago, when smart speakers with built-in voice assistants were the hot new thing, many imagined they'd quickly evolve into highly intelligent companions. (Think C-3PO or Star Trek's Data living inside a speaker.) That road has been much longer than expected, as virtual helpers like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant seemed to sit in neutral for years.

But now that generative AI is here (for better or worse), smart speakers are finally scratching the surface of those expectations. Google's new version, Gemini for Home, is now available to try. Here's how.

First, keep in mind that the Gemini for Home voice assistant is in early access. This means Google is gathering feedback about its features, and — as with all generative AI — it's wise to assume it will make mistakes. If or when it does, you can send feedback to Google in the Google Home app or by saying, "Hey Google, send feedback."

Devices compatible with Gemini for Home voice assistant

You'll also want to check your speaker model before diving in. The full Gemini for Home experience is available to try on the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), Google Nest Audio, Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) and Google Nest Hub Max. Those models all support Gemini Live, which enables conversational back-and-forth chat with natural follow-up questions.

Other models support everything but Gemini Live. That list includes the Google Nest Wifi point, Google Nest Hub (1st gen), Google Home Max, Google Home Mini (1st gen) and Google Home.

Another point is that once you dive in, your Google Assistant days will be over (on your speakers, anyway). That's because Google says that, once you upgrade to Gemini for Home, your compatible devices can't downgrade to Assistant. That shouldn't be a problem, but it's worth keeping in mind before you take the plunge.

How to sign up for early Gemini access

Once you've confirmed that your speaker(s) are at least partially compatible, head to the Google Home app on a mobile device. There, tap your profile picture (or initials) on the top right. Then tap Home Settings > Early Access. Congratulations: You've put in your request.

The bad news is you may have to wait a bit to confirm your entry into the beta program. Once you're in, you'll see a notification from the Google Home app that reads, "Introducing Gemini for Home." Select that, and follow the prompts. (If you accidentally dismiss the notification, you'll see the setup banner under Home settings in the Google Home app.)

At that point, all compatible speakers in your home will be upgraded to Google's more intelligent AI assistant. You can now throw more advanced questions at it, similar to what you'd ask text-based chatbots like ChatGPT. Except this one sits on a shelf, ready to field your verbal requests at any moment.

Keep in mind that Gemini Live requires a Google Home Premium subscription. The standard version costs $10 per month or $100 per year. Meanwhile, the advanced tier doubles that: $20 per month or $200 per year. At least for now, the only difference between the two (for these purposes) is that the pricier plan supports a camera history search feature. Both premium tiers unlock access to Gemini Live. So, if that's all you need, you can save money and get standard.

Google offers plenty of examples to get started. You can get quick answers to facts, like "Hey Google, who are the top five scoring players in basketball history?" (FYI: James, Abdul-Jabbar, Malone, Bryant and Jordan.) You can also ask Gemini Live to have a chat about ingredients for people with dietary needs. Or, ask it to explain complex topics (like how Wi-Fi works) in simple terms. It may not be at C-3PO level yet, but it's certainly moving in that direction.