Image: Ben Patterson/Foundry
Google is stepping up its Gemini AI rollout for smart home users, delivering access to a new Gemini-powered feature in the Google Home app.
Android users enrolled in Google Home’s Public Preview can now help test “Help me create,” a Gemini AI-infused tool that lets you create Google Home automations from natural-language prompts.
Here’s how it works: You open the Google Home app, tap the Automations tab, tap Add, then tap “Help me create.”
Next, just describe in English (yes, just English, at least for now) what you’d like the automation to do. For example, you could type (or say) “Turn off the lights at 11 p.m. every night,” “Lock all the doors when everyone’s away,” or “Set a meditation time reminder.”
Then just tap “Create,” and the Google Home app—with help from Gemini—will compose an overview of a proposed automation.
You can then rate the Gemini-created automation, ask for a do-over, or rename and save the routine if you’re happy with it.
Gemini can now help create automations based on your natural language queries.
You’ll also get the chance to edit the main elements of the routine, including its starters (one or more events that trigger the automation), conditions (handy for routines that you only want to run when nobody is home, or at a certain time for day), and actions (what the automations actually does).
The new “Help me create” feature is only available for U.S.-based Android users in Google Home’s public preview program.
You’ll also need to sign up for Nest Aware Plus, a subscription plan that gets you 60 days of video events recorded on Nest security cameras, 10 days of 24/7 video history for the same, intelligent alerts for smoke alarms and other occurrences, and more for $15 a month.
“Help me create” is just the latest Gemini-powered feature to make its way to Google Home users.
Earlier this week, we learned that some Nest speaker owners had started hearing Gemini answer their more complex voice queries; the standard Google Assistant still seems to be handling more mundane tasks.
Last month, Google rolled out AI smart search for Nest camera events, which allows you to search your video history using natural language queries. The feature also adds Gemini-generated descriptions to your Nest-captured video clips.
Gemini AI has also been granted limited control of smart home devices via an extension for the Gemini app.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben’s articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men’s Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master’s degree in English literature.
