Imagine waking up to a home that not only listens but truly understands you. With the latest voice assistant experiments setting in the Google Home app, Google is turning that vision into reality—ushering in a new era of AI-powered voice experiences for smart homes.
Recently, Google quietly rolled out a new Voice Assistant Experiments menu in the Google Home app, nestled between the familiar Google Assistant and Presence Sensing settings.
This feature, currently available on Android, lets users enable experimental AI features powered by Gemini—Google’s cutting-edge large language model—across all eligible devices in their home.
But what does this mean for everyday users? In short, it’s a glimpse into the future of voice AI, where interactions become more natural, context-aware, and personalized than ever before.
How voice assistant experiments work
The new setting allows users to choose how people in their home can access these experimental features:
- Require Voice Match: Only adults with Voice Match enabled can use the experiments.
- Everyone: All household members and guests, regardless of Voice Match setup, get access.
This flexibility is crucial for balancing privacy and convenience, especially in homes with multiple users or frequent visitors.
To try out voice assistant experiments, you’ll need to
- Enroll in the Google Home Public Preview program.
- Enable “Experimental AI features” via the lab beaker icon in the app.
- Navigate to the new setting under the Home app’s Settings tab.
Note: As of now, this feature is only visible on Android devices, and rollout is gradual.
Gemini: Elevating the voice experience
At the heart of these experiments is Gemini, Google’s latest AI model. Unlike the traditional Assistant, Gemini brings
- More natural, conversational voices: Google has introduced seven new voice options, each with distinct personalities and accents, from the calm “Aloe” to the British-accented “Ivy” and Australian “Eucalyptus.”
- Deeper, more context-aware responses: The Assistant can now handle follow-up questions, interruptions, and more nuanced queries, making conversations feel less robotic and more like talking to a real person.
- Enhanced smart home control: Gemini’s AI can manage devices, automate routines, and even help create voice-based automations—previewed at Google I/O 2025.
Gemini vs. Classic Google Assistant
| Feature | Classic Assistant | Gemini (Voice Assistant Experiments) |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Options | Limited, less natural | 7+ lifelike, diverse voices |
| Contextual Understanding | Basic follow-ups | Multi-turn, nuanced conversations |
| Device Control | Standard commands | Smarter, AI-driven automations |
| Access Control | Voice Match/Everyone | Customizable with new experiments |
| Availability | Broad, all users | Public Preview, Android only (for now) |
Unique Insights & First Impressions
Having tested early versions of these voice assistant experiments, the difference is immediately noticeable.
The new voices sound less like a machine and more like a helpful companion—responding with empathy, humor, and even a bit of personality.
For families, the ability to control who accesses these features adds a welcome layer of security and customization.
From a broader perspective, this move signals Google’s intent to make voice AI not just smarter, but more human.
It’s a strategic response to the growing competition in the smart home space, particularly as users demand more from their devices than simple commands.
While access is currently limited to Public Preview users with Nest Aware subscriptions, Google has hinted at expanding these capabilities to more devices—including Google TV and, eventually, the Nest Hub.
The branding may shift from “Assistant” to “Gemini,” reflecting the deeper integration of AI across Google’s ecosystem.
For now, these experiments offer a tantalizing preview of what’s to come: a world where your home doesn’t just hear you—it understands, adapts, and evolves alongside you.
Final words
The Voice Assistant Experiments setting in the Google Home app is more than just a new toggle—it’s a bold step toward the next generation of smart home AI.
As Gemini’s capabilities expand, expect your daily interactions to become more seamless, intuitive, and even enjoyable
