Google's Gemini AI Arrives on Nest Speakers, Signaling Shift from Google Assistant

Some Nest speakers are glowing blue and purple, and there's a good reason for it

One user reported that their Nest Audio became unresponsive after the Gemini lights started showing up. A number of Google Nest Audio users on Reddit have reported an unusual sight on their devices. Instead of the usual white LED lights, their speakers have started displaying a blue and purple gradient. While the change is subtle, it's quite noticeable and raising questions. It turns out the colorful shift is part of Google's ongoing transition from Assistant to Gemini, the company's next-gen AI assistant. The gradient light pattern matches Gemini's branding and is showing up for users who are part of the Google Home Public Preview and have opted into experimental AI features. While the change is mostly being noticed on Nest Audio devices, a few users in the US have also spotted the Gemini lights on their Nest Mini (2nd gen) units. Google began testing Gemini on its smart speakers in December, and the rollout appears to be expanding slowly. However, it's not all smooth sailing. One Reddit user reported that enabling the AI features caused their Nest Audio to become unresponsive, cautioning others to proceed carefully. If you're enrolled in the Public Preview and facing issues, you might want to try unregistering from the program and resetting your speaker to restore normal functionality. So far, Google hasn't issued an official comment on the latest reports, but if you're seeing a blue-purple glow from your speaker, you might just be getting an early taste of Gemini.

Google starts the Gemini-fication of some Nest speakers in the wild

Google Gemini's prompt bar redesign for Android is almost here Summary Gemini is taking over Google Assistant on mobile & smart home devices, transitioning Nest speakers to display new colors on their indicator LEDs. Users in select countries testing Gemini on Nest devices are seeing different LED colors when the speaker is listening for commands using the hotword. The transition to Gemini may pose issues, but can be fixed with a quick reboot, hinting at future updates. Gemini is Google's all-pervasive AI implementation that has taken over Assistant duties on mobile, is on the verge of eclipsing the company's famed search engine, and is also rolling out on smart home devices now. Google's range of Nest speakers and hubs are unassuming little gadgets capable of blending in with full-fledged smart home setups. Now, users participating in a small test program say their smart speakers are lighting up differently as Gemini capabilities roll out. Related 9 underrated Google Home features you need to try today The Google Home app can do a ton Posts 11 Most Nest smart speakers lacking a display have five LEDs on the front, which serve as telltale lights when booting, flashing updates, or responding to users. They often glow steady and white, but a recent flurry of posts on social media like Reddit reveals some Nest users are seeing their speakers light up in other hues across the color spectrum, matching Google's theme colors for the Gemini AI with a gradient from blue to deep purple (via Android Authority). The new colors on Nest speakers mark a transition from Google Assistant to Gemini on these devices for voice command handling. The company started testing this back in December last year, and more people are getting to test the capabilities gradually. However, it hasn't issued official statements about the expanded scope of testing. The update to Gemini may cause issues for some But are remedied by a quick reboot From user reports on the internet, the switch to Gemini on Nest seems limited to users in the US, UK, India, and some countries in the EU. Moreover, the change is only affecting Nest Audio and some 2nd-gen Nest Mini devices only if the user accounts in question are enrolled in the Google Home Public Preview release channel and have opted in for the experimental AI features. Although the opt-in reduced the test pool significantly, stable releases available to all users often follow the public preview testing. As such, Gemini rolling out to Nest in this phase is a good sign the company may push more updates soon. However, at least one user testing it in this batch reported their Nest Audio becoming unresponsive to voice commands even though casting audio to them worked fine. Usually a reboot or reset through the companion app fixes such issues.

Is Your Google Speaker Glowing Purple? You Just Got Gemini

Summary Gemini is arriving on select Nest speakers, and users are seeing purple and blue glowing LEDs instead of white, signaling the switch. Google Assistant will slowly be replaced by Gemini on various Nest devices, offering a modern and AI-powered experience. For now, the rollout is for those on the Google Home public beta preview, but it is expected to expand to more devices and regions soon. Is your Nest speaker randomly glowing different shades of blue and purple? If so, we have good news. If you're seeing purple LEDs instead of the usual white lights, your speaker got a little smarter thanks to Gemini. Yes, the Google Assistant is slowly but surely being replaced by Gemini. Earlier this year, Google confirmed that the Google Assistant was about to start dying a slow death. The search giant said its modern, useful, AI-powered next-gen Assistant would take over duties for the old Assistant on a wide array of devices. Then, a few days later, we learned that Google Assistant had already started losing a few lesser-used features, as Google had started the wind-down process. Google's range of Nest speakers and Hubs, like the Nest Audio, are fun little smart speakers capable of all sorts of things. Some of those include controlling smart home gadgets, asking it questions about the weather, or playing music and reading recipes in the kitchen. Over the weekend, several users all over Reddit started reporting that those 4-5 white LEDs on the front are glowing purple. While we're all familiar with our Google speakers flashing white lights or even blue when you're trying to pair them with an item, Wi-Fi, or a smartphone, this is a bit different. Right now, users see all the LEDs flashing between different shades of purple and blue, similar to the Gemini colors on smartphones. Related 6 Best Gemini Features to Try on Your Google Pixel 9 You'll love them all. Posts 1 Which Nest Devices Are Getting Gemini? For now, we're unsure of Google's Nest Gemini plans, but we know at least some users are seeing it arrive. According to Google's official support page documents, Gemini is coming to the Nest Audio and Nest Mini 2nd-gen speakers, along with select Nest Hub models. Multiple speaker owners on Reddit have confirmed they got Gemini, but they're likely in the beta program. More specifically, if you're on the Google Home Public Preview program, you could see Gemini arrive this week. Owners can head to settings and turn on the experimental AI features lab. And if you're not enrolled but want to try Gemini, here's how to join the Google Home public preview. For now, Google says the AI-powered Gemini experience is only available in English, in the United States, and for users aged 18 and older. However, Google will likely expand this to other languages and regions in the coming weeks and months, and a few Reddit posts suggest it's already rolling out in the UK, India, and some EU countries. Either way, Google's next-gen AI Assistant Gemini is coming. Soon, it will be available on more home devices, such as speakers, displays, TVs, inside cars, smartwatches, and more. Source: Android Authority