The article discusses the differences between Google’s older Assistant and the new Gemini AI, focusing on the potential impact on Nest speakers. The Gemini AI, revealed at Google I/O, integrates with various Google apps and provides contextual help in different situations. However, there was no mention of Gemini’s arrival on the Nest line of speakers during the event. The author expresses disappointment as they currently have Nest Audio speakers throughout their home and appreciate the audio quality and speaker grouping features. They mention running into hiccups with the current Google Assistant and express hope that the new Gemini AI could enhance the functionality of their existing Nest setup.
In comparison to Gemini, the current Google Assistant falls short in certain aspects. It sometimes struggles to provide direct answers to queries, often resorting to showing search results or reciting information from websites. The context awareness of the Assistant is limited, leading to instances where it provides unrelated information instead of addressing the specific query. The author also highlights issues with music streaming services, stating a decline in search accuracy when switching between different platforms. They mention specific instances where the Assistant failed to play the desired song accurately.
The article raises the question of whether the existing Nest speakers can support a more advanced AI assistant like Gemini, given their lack of recent updates. The last speaker released by Google was the Nest Audio in 2020, and the most recent smart screen was the Nest Hub from 2021. The introduction of the Tensor processors, which power Google’s Pixel phones, raises concerns about the compatibility of current Nest devices with the robust capabilities of Gemini. The author speculates on the potential need for new Nest speakers to fully leverage the Gemini-powered Assistant.
If a new Nest speaker is indeed required for the Gemini AI, the author suggests that Google should prioritize substantial updates rather than incremental improvements. They express a preference for a new version of the original Google Home Max, which featured superior audio quality and volume levels. The author hopes that any updates related to Gemini integration will be available as software updates rather than requiring the purchase of new hardware. They highlight the competition in the higher-end smart speaker market, with brands like Sonos, Apple, and Amazon offering premium options. Lastly, the article notes that CNET’s content on AI has been created by expert editors and writers, with the AI engine used to assist in generating stories on the topic.
