Gemini on Google Home just got way faster for common tasks in its latest update, and can now answer more useful questions without pushing you to the Home app — oh, and it'll finally tell you how to mix cocktails

• Google Home's new update is mostly about making Gemini more useful
• Google says you should notice much faster responses in key tasks
• More features for grown-ups unlocked too, including cocktail recipes

There's a new Google Home update available for your devices, and while the core app hasn't changed dramatically there are some useful improvements to Gemini.

I do wonder what demographic Google is targeting here, though: one of its suggested improvements is that you can now tell Gemini the name of your nanny so it can answer when you ask "if your nanny arrived".

The good news is that you don't need to have a Mary Poppins to take advantage of the Gemini improvements in early access, the first of which is very welcome: everything should be noticeably faster. The goal of this update was, Google says, "deeper personalization and faster response times."

Here's what's new.

What's new in the Google Home May 11 Update

The most significant changes are in Gemini, which can now use information you've saved in Ask Home such as the name of family members, friends or other visitors. You can also get Gemini to give you a recap of anything that's happened while you were out by asking your speaker or display for a "home brief".

If, like me, you use your smart home to control smart lights, you'll appreciate the under-the-hood improvements that Google says makes your lights respond to commands much more quickly. And it should be faster to set alarms and timers too, with the update delivering faster responses and less need to repeat yourself.

If that gets rid of the post-command pause that leaves you wondering if your device heard you, that'll be a big improvement.

Another important change is the removal of some guardrails that prevented adults from getting answers: Gemini will still stop the kids from learning how to mix a margarita, but now it'll give the grown-ups a little help with mixology.

As for the rest of the Home app, there are improvements for Nest thermostats for easier overriding and, on iOS, controls for non-nest Thermostats – a feature already offered in the Android app. And there's a new, simpler device setup for adding new things to your smart home.

The update is available now and you can read the full release notes here.

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