Google is rolling out new updates for its smart home ecosystem and Android users. The Gemini’s Google Home Extension is now widely available, providing enhanced control over smart home devices using conversational commands. Meanwhile, Google is also developing a new gesture for Android that addresses the removal of a popular assistant invocation method, making it easier for users to access their digital assistants.

Google Home Gemini Extension: Enhanced Smart Home Control

In late September, Google introduced a new extension for its Gemini platform that integrates Google Home controls. This week, the Google Home Extension has expanded its availability, particularly for Android users. Here’s what you need to know about this new feature:

1. Accessing the Extension:
   • To use the Google Home Extension, navigate to Gemini > Extensions on your Android device. Look for the “Google Home” option marked with a green “Public Preview” label. Note that this extension is currently not available on iOS or the web version of Gemini.
2. Smart Home Device Control:
   • With this extension, users can control various smart home devices like lights, switches, thermostats, fans, window shades, and media systems. Instead of using standard Google Assistant commands, this extension offers more natural, conversational interactions.
   • For example, saying, “The sun is too bright in the living room” will close window blinds, while “Help me clean up the kitchen” activates a robotic vacuum.
3. Interactive Google Home Card:
   • The results from Gemini will now include an interactive Google Home card, displaying device tiles. Users can manually toggle and adjust settings directly from this card.
4. Safety Restrictions:
   • For security reasons, the extension cannot control certain devices like cameras, locks, gates, or garage doors. Instead, the app will provide a link to open the Google Home app directly for controlling these devices.

Commands Supported by Google Home Gemini Extension

The following commands showcase the capabilities of the Google Home Extension, making it easier to manage your smart home setup:

• Lights and Power Control:
  • “Turn on/off [light name].”
  • “Set [light name] to 50%.”
  • “Dim/Brighten the [room name] lights.”
• Thermostat Control:
  • “Set the temperature to [value].”
  • “Turn on cooling mode.”
  • “Increase/decrease the temperature by 2 degrees.”
• Fans, A/C Units, and Heaters:
  • “Turn on/off [device name].”
  • “Increase fan speed.”
• Window Coverings:
  • “Open/close [curtains, blinds, shutters].”
• Media Devices:
  • “Turn on/off [TV or speaker name].”
  • “Increase volume on [device name].”
• Other Devices:
  • “Start/Stop [vacuum, washing machine, coffee maker].”

New Android Gesture: Addressing the Loss of Home Button Shortcut

With recent updates, Google introduced Circle to Search, a feature that allows users to quickly search content by long-pressing a gesture button or the home button. However, this change removed a widely used method to invoke the default assistant by long-pressing the home button.

To resolve this, Google is developing a new gesture specifically designed for devices using the traditional three-button navigation system.

1. Gesture Invocation Options:
   • Android provides several ways to access the default assistant, such as using voice commands like “Hey Google” or “Hi Bixby,” pressing the power button, or swiping up from the bottom corner on gesture navigation devices.
2. Issue with Circle to Search:
   • When Circle to Search was introduced, it took over the long-press action of the home button. Disabling Circle to Search does not restore this function, making it impossible to use the home button for assistant access in the three-button navigation mode.
3. New Gesture in Development:
   • In the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3, Google is testing a new corner swipe gesture for three-button navigation. This gesture allows users to swipe diagonally from the left or right bottom corner to invoke the assistant, similar to the existing gesture navigation system.
   • Although this feature is not yet available in the public beta, it has been tested internally and is expected to roll out soon.
4. Possible Rollout and Adoption:
   • This new gesture might be included in the second quarterly platform release of Android 15, with a potential toggle option similar to other navigation gestures.
   • Some manufacturers like OnePlus are already ahead, implementing their own version of this corner swipe gesture in OxygenOS 15, indicating a trend towards faster adoption across Android devices.

Conclusion

With the wider rollout of Google Home Gemini Extension and the development of a new gesture to simplify assistant access, Google is actively enhancing user experience. The extension offers improved smart home control, making interactions with devices more intuitive and conversational. At the same time, the new Android gesture aims to resolve user frustration caused by the removal of the home button shortcut, providing a seamless experience across different navigation modes.

Overall, these updates showcase Google’s commitment to refining its ecosystem, making it more user-friendly and integrated with modern smart home setups. Keep an eye out for these features as they continue to expand and roll out across Android devices.