Google Home updates Gemini: smart home now understands 'ocean color' and precise temperatures

Google has released another update to the Home app that makes controlling a smart home through Gemini significantly more convenient. The main change is that the assistant has become better at understanding natural language and more accurately interpreting user commands. Now you can describe lighting with figurative phrases: for example, say "turn on an ocean-colored light" — and Gemini will independently select an appropriate shade based on your request.

Previously, this required either manually selecting a color in the interface or stating specific values. The new approach lowers the barrier to entry and makes interaction with a smart home more intuitive. In addition to lighting, the handling of appliances and climate control systems has been improved.

Gemini now correctly processes precise numeric commands: "preheat the oven to 180 degrees" or "set humidity to 55 percent." Google also worked on device recognition — the assistant more accurately determines which specific gadget the user has in mind, even if the phrasing is imprecise or there are multiple devices. The update is being released amid intensifying competition in the smart home voice control market.

Amazon is actively developing Alexa with AI features, Apple is promoting Siri and HomeKit, and independent platforms like Home Assistant are gaining popularity among tech-savvy users. Google is betting on Gemini's language capabilities as its competitive advantage. This update demonstrates a sustained trend: smart home manufacturers are gradually moving away from rigid voice commands toward free dialogue with the assistant.

The more naturally speech is perceived, the lower the barrier to mass adoption. For Google, this is simultaneously a demonstration of Gemini's capabilities in real-world consumer scenarios.