Google has begun a slow rollout of its Gemini-powered Google Assistant to select users of its Nest smart speakers, marking a significant step towards more advanced AI capabilities in the smart home space.

The new feature, first teased in August, is currently available only on Nest Audio and Nest Mini (2nd gen) smart speakers, with users required to meet specific criteria to access the enhanced Assistant. These include being part of Google Home's Public Preview, subscribing to Nest Aware, and opting in to Experimental AI features.

Once eligible, users can toggle on the Experimental AI features button in the Google Home App inbox to start testing the Gemini-powered Google Assistant. This allows them to ask more complex questions and receive more in-depth answers, similar to the Gemini feature on Android and iOS devices.

Notably, the Gemini-enhanced Assistant can handle follow-up questions and interruptions, although users still need to say "Hey Google" each time. The regular Google Assistant will continue to handle tasks like smart home and music requests, with a distinct chime preceding AI-powered answers.

The rollout, initially spotted by 9to5Google, marks Google's first public launch of generative AI-powered features on its voice assistant in the smart home. This puts the company ahead of its competitors, Amazon and Apple, which have yet to deliver on their promises of smarter voice assistants.

Google's move is significant, as it demonstrates the company's commitment to advancing AI capabilities in the smart home. The Gemini-powered Google Assistant is expected to pave the way for more sophisticated interactions between users and their smart devices, potentially revolutionizing the way we live and work.

As the smart home market continues to evolve, Google's early mover advantage could give it a significant edge over its competitors. With Amazon's smarter Alexa and Apple's Siri still in development, Google's Gemini-powered Google Assistant may become the gold standard for AI-powered voice assistants in the smart home.

While the rollout is currently limited, Google's decision to publicly launch its Gemini-powered Google Assistant is a significant milestone in the development of AI-powered smart home technology. As the company continues to refine and expand its capabilities, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of AI in the smart home space.