This month, Google started the rollout of some big improvements to its smart home platform. Now, the company is offering more specific details about what the May 2026 update for Google Home will bring, including a refreshed UI for camera users and a major overhaul of its voice assistant through the latest Gemini model.
A faster look at your front door
If you use Google Home often, the first change you’ll notice is the new camera experience within the Google Home app. Google promises faster navigation and smoother video scrubbing when reviewing footage. The user interface sports a refreshed design, including a redesigned event details page that makes it easier to pinpoint specific activities.
The inclusion of zoomed-in previews within alerts is a welcome one. This allows users to see exactly what triggered a notification without needing to open the full video stream immediately. Plus, these performance and UI upgrades also extend to some older generation cameras.
Smarter interactions with Gemini 3.1
For those enrolled in early access, the “Gemini for Home” assistant is receiving an upgrade to the Gemini 3.1 model. This version emphasizes improved reasoning and the ability to handle multi-step voice commands.
What does this mean? Well, the assistant can now handle complex, combined requests. For instance, instead of using separate commands for each action, a user can add new items to a list and change existing entries in one sentence. This logic also applies to managing calendars, setting reminders, and controlling smart home devices. It’s basically the conversational experience we’ve been enjoying on smartphones for some time.
Expanding control and automation
Beyond cameras and AI, Google is broadening its automation capabilities. There are new traits that allow for more granular control over a wider variety of household items. The list includes robot vacuums, kitchen appliances, and even checking the battery levels of connected devices.
The update also previews several features aimed at cross-platform management:
- Web Integration: A new “Ask Home” feature is heading to Public Preview on the web. It allows users to search camera history and create automations from a computer.
- Quick Action Notifications: Users in Public Preview can now use buttons directly within their phone notifications for instant device control.
- Automatic Home Switching: For those managing multiple properties, the app can now automatically detect and switch to the correct home profile based on context.
It seems that, after a pretty bumpy start, the Gemini for Home and Google Home combo is finally finding its footing.
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