Google just soft-launched a handful of new features to its Home smart home platform in its latest app update, and while they’re not the fabled AI-powered automation creation tool that have been promised thus far, they are of some interest.
Picture-in-Picture Support for Nest
A popular feature that’s been cropping up for quite a few platforms (and have been featured in some Home of the Year projects), in its most recent update, Google is now making it so Nest owners can view their security camera feeds on their Google TV while watching other programs via the Home app.
Currently, the feature is limited to public preview on Google TVs only, though, so access to the new feature will be scarce for the time being.
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Broadcasting Voice Through Speakers
As part of the Gemini updates, users can now broadcast their voice through connected speakers on the Home platform, allowing any connected speaker to be converted into a ‘one-way intercom’ as needed.
Occupation-Based Automation Triggers
Automations can now be made based on presence sensing in the app, which leverages phone location. Additionally, the Soli sensors in select Google Nest products (see: the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th gen, the Nest Thermostat and the second-gen Nest Hub) can be used to determine human presence in the home.
CO Monitoring Now Placed Under Home Platform
What once required the standalone Nest app to monitor has now been brought under the Google Home umbrella as Nest Protect users can monitor carbon monoxide status through the Home app.
This also means that Nest Protect will be able to deliver critical safety alerts and heads-up notifications via the Home app.
Fast-Tracked Control
Google is also expanding its Favorite widgets, which allow users to quickly access specific controls without having to open the Home app. These widgets provide monitoring information or direct control over specific devices connected to the home network.
For example, some of the new additions include an indoor temperature dashboard, Wi-Fi options and a master light switch for the home.
Additionally, the Home app now lets users extend these controls to separate devices through Favorites, such as a smart watch or tablet.
Google Gemini Home AI Continues Slow Rollout Amid Updates
At Google’s 2025  I/O developer conference, the company teased its Gemini Home AI as being close to full actualization with the company taking a piecemeal approach to deployment of many of its features.
This most recent round of updates to Home saw some Gemini AI capabilities enter the ecosystem such as the voice broadcasting feature. However, the company has also introduced its own AI video search feature, akin to what Snap One currently has for its Luma surveillance cameras.
The company eventually plans to fully integrate Gemini into Home platform with the hopes of being able to add more robust voice control in addition to more advanced automation creation. It’s these promised features that have garnered the most attention from the press thus far, however, these more advanced features remain isolated to very limited testing pools.
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