Gemini is getting more features with each new month. When it was launched earlier this year, it couldn't do a lot of things that its predecessor, Google Assistant, could. For example, it couldn't control smart home devices, at least directly. Now, it can do that, thanks to Google Home extension.
Gemini is getting direct integration with Google Home
Google has announced that it has released the Google Home extension for Gemini. This extension allows you to control smart home devices while chatting with Gemini. It is currently only available for Android users through Google Home's Public Preview program.
So, why is Google Home's integration with Gemini so important? First, reaction times will now be faster when you ask Gemini to control your smart home devices or adjust their settings. Second, you can command Gemini to control your smart home devices in natural language.
For example, when you can ask Gemini, “Help me clean up my bedroom,” it will start your robot vacuum cleaner and send it to your bedroom. Or, you can ask, “Prepare my dining room for a romantic dinner,” and it will dim the lights, choose a red theme, and play romantic music.
Previously, when you asked Gemini to control your smart home devices, it would redirect you to Google Assistant or route your commands to Google Home via Google Assistant. Now, Gemini can directly control your Google Home-compatible smart home devices.
Gemini can now control several Google Home-compatible devices, including climate control, smart lighting, smart speakers, TVs, window coverings, and more. However, it can't control all smart home devices, including cameras, doors, gates, and locks.
You may have to use @Google Home in your text prompt in Gemini if it doesn't automatically use the Google Home extension. If you aren't enrolled in the Google Home Public Preview program, you can register yourself in it by following the steps mentioned here.
The story continues after our video below.
New Bixby also understands natural language, as Gemini does
Like Google, Samsung has also upgraded Bixby by powering it with large language models (LLMs). So, it can now understand commands in natural language. It can even understand sentences that have multiple commands. However, the upgraded version of Bixby isn't available on smartphones and tablets yet.
