Exclusive Interview: Google Home’s Gemini Upgrade Is Here - Android Faithful Episode #117

Subscribe to the Podcast

We're back with another special edition of Android Faithful as Florence Ion and Mishaal Rahman talk with Anish Katukaran, Chief Product Officer of Google Home and Nest, about the launch of Gemini for Home, replacing Google Assistant, and updating smart home intelligence. They touch on rollout challenges, multi-user experience, a redesigned Google Home app , and smarter automation features.

01:58 - The journey of bringing Gemini AI to Google Home

04:41 - Addressing consumer skepticism and trust in Google’s smart home products

04:41 - Challenges faced upgrading old Nest and Google Home devices

08:41 - The decision to build future-focused AI rather than patch existing tech

09:43 - Testing and rollout strategy for Gemini’s AI in real homes

14:03 - New features like Gemini Live and natural language automation creation

17:39 - Pricing and subscription changes with Home Premium tiers explained

22:48 - Accuracy and source attribution differences across devices with Gemini

24:59 - Managing family and different user profiles with Gemini for Home

26:49 - Favorite new features and improvements in the Google Home app

32:00 - The future rollout plans and ongoing improvements for Google Home

32:42 - Big thanks to Anish Katukaran!

A Gemini-Powered Siri - Android Faithful Episode #143

Android 17 Beta 3 is here with tons of goodies plus an eye-opening leak of the Google Pixel 11!

by

Android's Loose Garden - Android Faithful Episode #142

Spring is here and we've got leaks, Android drama updates and rumors of a new Amazon phone, what could go wrong?

by

Inside the Android Bench & AI LLM Rankings with Matthew McCullough from Google - Android Faithful Episode #141

An inside look at what went into building the Android Bench, how Gemini came out on top and what's to come for developers

by

Green on the Inside - Android Faithful Episode #140

Google Maps gets a new look, Google Play Levels Up and Motorola is on Top for Foldables!

by

Android's "Swole" Era - Android Faithful Episode #139

Hands-On with the Pixel 10A, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and rating LLMs with Android's new Bench

by

Pixel's Big Booty Drop - Android Faithful Episode #138

Just because we didn't go to Barcelona for MWC doesn't mean we don't have MWC on Android Faithful. It's right here!

by

Android 17 Bumpy Launch - Android Faithful Episode #136

It's a roller coaster of a launch for Android 17 plus leaks abound of the Pixel 10A, Samsung's WIDE Foldable and more!

by

Keep Your Frenemies Close Enough to AirDrop - Android Faithful Episode #135

Love is in the air this Valentine's week...a love affair with all things Android as Ron Richards is reunited with Florence Ion, Huyen Tue Dao and Jason Howell to revel in confirmed (not leaks!) of Samsung news plus drama around YouTube Music.

by

Unboxing the Motorola Moto Watch - Android Faithful #134

Checking in on the latest Android desktop experience leaks, and a Moto Watch without a flat tire!

by

Should We Talk About the Weather? - Android Faithful Episode #133

Why did Pixel Weather FAIL during the snow storm? And the Samsung Trifold will cost HOW much?

by

OnePlus: Not Dead Yet? - Android Faithful Episode #132

Some phone manufacturers are going away and others aren't and meanwhile Gemini continues and continues...

by

The Root of All Creaselessness - Android Faithful Episode #131

Wrapping up CES, Apple goes Gemini, So Much Foldables News and we say goodbye to....

by

Let's Hear From Jason On Location At CES 2026 - Android Faithful Episode #130

Kicking off 2026 with our annual coverage of all the Android related news coming out of CES in Las Vegas!

by

The First Annual APK Awards - Android Faithful Episode #129

We gather to present the best (and weirdest) in the world of Android for 2025 as we unveil the winners of our first annual end of the year awards, the APKs!

by

An Android Tablet... On Wheels? - Android Faithful #128

A massive tablet gets put to the test, and OnePlus has a massive plan for frightening phones.

by