Google Ensmartens Nest with Its Gemini Generative AI, Launches New Nest Learning Thermostat

Google has announced an overhaul for its smart home platform, starting with the integration of the company's Gemini family of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) models — and including the release of a new Nest Learning Thermostat and Temperature Sensor design.

"While we were making the smart home better, Google’s Gemini models were unlocking new ways to help people in their daily lives. We're thrilled to unveil how we're using Gemini models to make our devices smarter and simpler to use than ever," says Google's Anish Kattukaran of the announcements, "starting with cameras and home automation. We're also using Gemini models to make Google Assistant much more natural and helpful on your Nest speakers and displays."

Gemini, which Google launched back in February as a rebranding and successor to its existing Bard and Duet products, covers a family of large language models (LLMs) and multimodal models designed by Google to compete with its rivals in the generative AI sphere — with the largest, Gemini Advanced, claimed to "outperform human experts" at selected tasks, though with the caveat that product demos frequently include at least one gaffe in the model's responses.

In the biggest change to its smart home offerings in quite some time, Google is now integrating its Gemini models with its Nest and Google Home product lines — including using Gemini to automatically summarize video footage from Nest security cameras. "Over time, your Nest cameras will go from understanding a narrow set of specific things (i.e., motion, people, packages, etc.) to being able to more broadly understand what it sees and hears, and then surface what's most important," Kattukaran claims.

"This means that your camera can understand that it isn't just an 'animal detected' in the video, but it will understand that 'the dog is digging in the garden.' With these new AI descriptions, Gemini models are making your camera clips in the Google Home app far more useful. You can also use the new camera activity search in the Google Home app to find exactly what you are looking for in your home. For example, 'did the kids leave their bikes in the driveway?'"

At the same time, Google announced new versions of the Nest Learning Thermostat and Temperature Sensor products, which the company will be bundling together in a single pack. Based on what Google calls a "domed crystal LCD," the thermostat's display is 60 percent larger than its predecessor and offers an edge-to-edge circular layout. The temperature sensor, meanwhile, is described as having a "discreet, pebble-like form" — and can be placed on any flat surface or wall-mounted using a key-hole in the rear.

The new Gemini functionality will be rolling out to Nest Aware subscribers as a public preview later this year, Google has confirmed, while the new Nest Learning Thermostat and Temperature Sensor Bundle is now up for pre-order on the Google Store at $279.99 ahead of shipping later this month; additional Nest Temperature Sensors are available for $39.99 each or $99.99 for a three-pack.