Gemini for Home Launches in the US; Canada Has to Wait

Google has officially launched its new Gemini for Home voice assistant today, giving U.S. users early access to a smarter, more conversational upgrade to Google Assistant.

In a company blog post, Mark Alexander, Group Product Manager for Google Home & Nest, said the rollout begins today across selected devices in the United States, with plans to expand to more countries, including Canada, in 2026.

Gemini for Home replaces Google Assistant on compatible smart speakers and displays, offering richer answers, smarter home control, and more natural conversations thanks to Gemini AI. Users can still say “Hey Google” for quick help or try “Hey Google, let’s chat” to use Gemini Live, a new feature that lets them have back-and-forth conversations, brainstorm ideas, or ask complex questions without repeating commands.

“Using Gemini for Home in early access means you’re a crucial part of building it,” he wrote, encouraging users to share feedback through the Google Home app or by saying “Hey Google, send feedback.”

The update is free for current Google Home users, though advanced options like Gemini Live, camera history search, and voice-powered automations will require a Google Home Premium subscription.

Google also shared a list of 100 example prompts to show off Gemini’s capabilities—from controlling lights and setting reminders to helping with homework or planning vacations.

For now, Gemini for Home is U.S.-only, with no Canadian release date announced. Google says the international rollout will follow sometime in 2026 once testing wraps up. In due time, this update will make its way to Canada, so stay tuned, folks.

One thing is for sure, both Google and Amazon have beaten Apple to the punch again with an AI-powered smart home assistant. The new Siri can’t come soon enough.