Google is rolling out a fresh update for the Google Home app that makes Gemini a lot more useful in day-to-day use, while also addressing several small but frustrating issues that have been holding it back. The new release follows an update from earlier this month that also brought performance improvements and bug fixes for Gemini’s smart home voice controls.
One of the biggest upgrades with this update is speed. Google says common smart home commands like turning lights on or off can now be up to 40 percent faster. That should make a noticeable difference for those who rely on voice controls throughout the day. Gemini’s Live Translation feature is also quicker and more responsive, and now supports Canadian French, taking the total number of supported languages to 30.
The update also focuses heavily on making responses less chatty. Instead of long confirmations, Gemini now keeps things short and direct. So a command like setting an alarm gets a simple “Alarm set for 9 AM” instead of a full sentence. It is a small change, but one that should make interactions feel smoother.
On the features front, Gemini is getting smarter with alarms and timers. Users can now set them based on real-world events, manage multiple actions in one go, and even ask about the original timer duration. Recurring alarms and proper snooze controls have also been fixed, addressing one of the main annoyances users had with Gemini for Home.
There are improvements beyond voice, too. Google is expanding Gemini for Home to more countries and introducing new automation options in the Google Home app. These include triggers tied to appliances like ovens and new lighting effects such as wake and sleep modes.
Individually, these updates are minor, but together they should make Gemini feel faster, more responsive, and much more reliable than before.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.