Google is preparing a major redesign of its Google Home app, replacing Google Assistant with a new AI called Gemini for Home. The update is planned as part of an October rollout, with early access beginning during that period. The aim is to create interactions that feel more conversational, intuitive, and capable of managing complex commands with ease.

Gemini Takes Centre Stage

In the latest version of the app, Gemini for Home becomes the primary way to communicate with smart home devices. A search bar appears at the top of the app under the label “Ask Home.” That is where users engage with Gemini, either by typing or speaking.

Unlike the older system that relied on rigid voice commands, Gemini is designed to interpret more nuanced requests. For instance, a person could ask it to “turn off all lights except in the bedroom” or even combine actions such as adjusting the temperature and dimming the lights at the same time. This represents a move toward a more natural and flexible style of interaction.

Redesigned UI and Navigation

The redesign of the app also introduces notable changes in layout and navigation:

• The Favorites tab has been renamed Home.
  
  
• Device controls and settings, which previously had a separate tab, are now arranged in a grid under the Home tab.
  
  
• The header has been simplified, with icons for Settings, Inbox, and Preview features moved to the account switcher page.
  
  
• A new “Create” button allows users to design automations or routines.
  
  
• Certain features, such as Outdoor Air Quality Index and temperature, can be pinned directly to the Home screen for easy access.
  
  

These changes suggest Google is focusing on both simplicity and personalization, making the app easier to navigate while offering users more control.

What Gemini Live Brings

Alongside Gemini for Home, Google is introducing Gemini Live, a feature intended to allow longer and more detailed conversations.

Gemini Live can provide expert guidance or step-by-step support for everyday tasks such as cooking or troubleshooting devices. Conversations flow more naturally than before. Once a person says “Hey Google, let’s chat,” they can continue without repeating the wake phrase.

Feedback also becomes part of the experience. If a response feels unhelpful or incorrect, users can give feedback through thumbs up or thumbs down, or regenerate the answer for a better result.

Roll-out and What Remains Unclear

Gemini for Home will gradually replace Google Assistant across existing smart speakers and displays. Early access is scheduled to begin in October 2025, after which the rollout will expand further.

However, some aspects are still under development. Certain features are only visible through code exploration and it remains uncertain if all of them will appear in the final release. This indicates that while the vision is ambitious, the execution may evolve over time.

This transformation represents more than a simple replacement of a voice assistant. It signals Google’s intent to position the Home app as a smarter, more adaptable hub for managing connected devices. By leaning on AI reasoning instead of fixed commands, Gemini promises to bring a higher level of flexibility.

The implications are significant for households that depend on multiple devices and routines. Gemini’s ability to process complex instructions could make daily life easier and more efficient. Yet, the transition may also bring challenges. Users will need to adapt to a new interface and learn the rhythm of a different interaction model.

If successful, Gemini for Home may provide an experience that feels far closer to interacting with a human who understands context and intent. If the system struggles, people may encounter errors, misinterpretations, or a period of adjustment as they grow familiar with the changes.

What becomes clear is that Google is setting the stage for a future where the smart home is managed less by strict commands and more by intelligent understanding. The new app is a step toward that vision, and its success will depend on how well it balances innovation with ease of use.