Google is dramatically accelerating the rollout of its next-generation AI assistant, Gemini, to smart home devices in the United States. After a slow, invitation-only beta that began in October, the company is now opening the doors to virtually all interested users, promising near-instant access and expanding support to include third-party hardware. This marks a pivotal moment in Google's plan to replace the long-standing Google Assistant with its more advanced Gemini model across its ecosystem.
Google Accelerates Gemini for Home Rollout with Open Invitation
In a significant shift from its previous phased approach, Google announced on December 10, 2025, that it is rapidly expanding the early access program for Gemini for Home. The company stated it will now send out invitations "at a more rapid pace." More importantly, Google is now encouraging any user in the U.S. who has not yet received an invitation to proactively sign up for the program. The tech giant promises that those who sign up will receive their invitation to join the Gemini for Home early access program within 24 hours, effectively removing the waiting period for millions of users.
Key Timeline
- Early October 2025: Gemini for Home early access begins with a slow, invitation-only rollout.
- December 10, 2025: Google announces accelerated rollout. Any U.S. user can sign up and receive an invitation within 24 hours.
- 2023: Google discontinued support for new third-party Assistant devices, making their inclusion in the Gemini update a notable reversal.
How to Sign Up and Check for Existing Access
For users eager to try Gemini, the sign-up process is straightforward. Within the Google Home app, users need to tap their Google Account profile picture, navigate to "Home settings," and then select "Early Access." Google also cautions that some users may have already received an invitation without noticing. The company recommends checking the same "Home settings" section in the app to see if access has already been granted. It notes that in rare cases, a sign-up might not immediately result in an invitation if a user's home contains an incompatible device or has an account-related issue.
Expanded Device Support Includes Third-Party Hardware
A notable revelation from this announcement is the confirmed expansion of Gemini's reach beyond Google's own hardware. Google explicitly stated it is "enabling third party speaker devices as well." This is a surprising development, given that Google discontinued official support for new third-party Assistant speakers and displays in 2023. This move suggests that a wide range of existing smart speakers from other brands that were built with Google Assistant in mind may receive a new lease on life with the Gemini update, significantly broadening the potential user base for Google's new AI.
Device Compatibility and Feature Tiers
The rollout clarifies which devices will get the full Gemini experience and which will receive a more basic version. The full Gemini experience, which includes support for the interactive "Gemini Live" feature, is reserved for Google's more recent hardware: the Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Audio, Nest Mini (2nd gen), and Nest Hub Max. Older or more basic devices, including the first-generation Nest Hub, Google Home, Home Max, Home Mini, Nest Wifi, and the newly supported third-party speakers, will receive a "basic" Gemini experience without the Live functionality. Google confirms that Gemini is slated to replace Assistant on all Google Home and Nest devices released since 2016.
Gemini for Home Device Compatibility
- Full Gemini Experience (with Gemini Live):
- Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
- Nest Audio
- Nest Mini (2nd gen)
- Nest Hub Max
- Basic Gemini Experience (without Gemini Live):
- Nest Hub (1st gen)
- Google Home
- Google Home Max
- Google Home Mini (1st gen)
- Nest Wifi
- Third-party speaker devices
User Feedback Drives Rapid Expansion
Google indicated that the decision to accelerate the rollout is based on positive feedback from the initial pool of early access testers. The company described the feedback as "instrumental" in refining the service. To continue this collaborative development, Google encourages users to provide feedback directly by saying, "Hey Google, send feedback," when they encounter issues. The company also maintains a public "known issues" thread for the Gemini for Home program, allowing users to see common problems and track Google's responses, fostering a transparent testing environment.
The Road Ahead for Smart Home AI
This accelerated, open invitation marks the beginning of the end for the classic Google Assistant on home devices. By lowering the barrier to entry, Google aims to get its most advanced AI model into as many homes as possible, gathering vast amounts of real-world usage data to improve performance and reliability before a full public launch. The inclusion of third-party devices is a strategic move to consolidate its ecosystem and prevent user fragmentation. For consumers in the U.S., the era of Gemini-powered smart homes is no longer a distant future—it's an invitation waiting in their app, promising to arrive within a day.