Google Home's Gemini assistant can now analyze live camera feeds in real time, moving beyond its previous limitation of only describing past events. The new "Live Search" feature lets users ask questions like "Hey Google, is there a car in the driveway?" or check for package deliveries as they happen.
The capability requires a subscription to Google Home Premium Advanced, which costs $20 per month or $200 annually. Subscribers also receive AI-generated notifications, video clip descriptions, and 60 days of camera history storage.
Google Home Chief Product Officer Anish Kattukaran announced the updates on X earlier this week. The rollout began March 2 and continues through this month for users who have opted into early access to Gemini for Home.
Beyond live camera analysis, the update addresses longstanding complaints about voice command reliability. Gemini now better understands room-specific context when controlling smart devices.
Commands like "turn off the kitchen" will target only lights in that room instead of every connected device.
Location-based commands also improved with smarter home address recognition. "Turn off all the lights" now applies to your current location rather than secondary properties you manage through the app.
Technical refinements include significantly reduced instances of Gemini prematurely cutting off users during conversations. The assistant uses updated AI models that promise improved answer quality and more reliable playback of newly released music.
Google has also improved reliability for daily commands like notes, reminders, calendars, timers, and alarms.
Device-specific improvements include general availability for Nest x Yale Lock integration, allowing passcode management and guest access directly through the Home app. Nest Wifi Pro received a March 2026 software update enhancing mesh performance and security.
Automation capabilities expanded with new triggers based on security system status, device plug status, and tablet docking conditions. These additions work within the Google Home app's automation editor but aren't yet supported by voice commands.
The updates follow user complaints about declining Google Home quality throughout 2025. Kattukaran noted his team has been working "heads down on improvements based on user feedback" since last month's round of fixes.
