Google’s New Smart Home Lineup Puts Gemini at the Center of Everything

Google has doubled down on its smart home vision, unveiling a new wave of devices that make one message crystal clear: Gemini AI isn’t just an optional extra anymore, it’s the foundation of Google’s entire connected home strategy. With fresh hardware across its Nest lineup, budget-friendly Walmart collaborations, and a redesigned Google Home Speaker, the company is building an ecosystem where AI quietly manages the details of daily life while inviting users into a future that feels both futuristic and oddly personal.

The approach is ambitious. Google isn’t just selling cameras, speakers, and doorbells. It’s selling an idea: that every corner of your home can become an intelligent node in a wider AI-powered network. From richer security alerts to AI-edited highlight reels of your day, Gemini is the glue that ties it all together.

Nest Cameras and Doorbell: Smarter Eyes at Every Angle

At the heart of the announcement are three wired security devices: the Nest Cam Indoor (3rd generation), Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd generation), and the Nest Doorbell (3rd generation). These aren’t just iterative updates; they represent a deliberate attempt to turn ordinary surveillance into AI-driven storytelling. Instead of simple motion alerts, Gemini allows the system to interpret context: not just that something moved, but that the family dog leapt out of its pen or that a vase was knocked over in the living room.

Technically, the devices bring meaningful upgrades. Video is captured in sharp 2K HDR, with the widest fields of view yet: 152 degrees diagonally for the cameras, and a 166-degree head-to-toe perspective for the doorbell, tuned for spotting everything from dropped packages to full-body visitor views. Low-light performance is markedly improved thanks to sensors that are 120% more light-sensitive, while pitch-black nights are handled by advanced infrared night vision. Durability has also been considered, with outdoor models earning IP56 ratings to withstand dust, snow, and heavy rain.

For those subscribed to Google Home Premium, Gemini turns these cameras into something closer to digital assistants. Features like Home Brief compress hours of footage into concise, AI-generated highlight reels, while natural language queries such as “Show me when the delivery guy came” make video searching intuitive. Even without paying extra, users gain upgraded alerts capable of distinguishing people, packages, animals, and cars, as well as a doubled event history of six hours’ worth of video previews. Launch prices are set at $99.99 for the Nest Cam Indoor, $149.99 for the Outdoor, and $179.99 for the Doorbell, rolling out October 1 in major global markets.

Walmart’s Onn Line: Budget-Friendly AI Access

Perhaps the most surprising move wasn’t the Nest lineup but Google’s decision to team up with Walmart for an entry-level smart home line. Under Walmart’s onn brand, two new devices debut: the onn Indoor Camera Wired at just $22.96, and the onn Video Doorbell Wired at $49.86. They go on sale the same day as the new Nest products, available both online and in stores.

These devices cut costs by trimming resolution to 1080p and limiting some premium build features, but crucially, they remain fully compatible with the Google Home app. With a Home Premium subscription, the onn products gain many of the same Gemini-driven features as their pricier Nest cousins. This ensures that households on tighter budgets aren’t locked out of the AI ecosystem. It’s a clever play: by giving shoppers a cheap entry point, Google increases the chances they’ll eventually upgrade to the more polished Nest products.

The New Google Home Speaker: Gemini’s Voice

The other standout reveal was the upcoming Google Home Speaker, scheduled to launch in spring 2026 for $99. Designed as the ultimate Gemini hub, this compact speaker marries elegant design with expressive interaction. A glowing light ring visually reflects Gemini’s state – pulsing when listening, glowing when processing, and shifting hues as it responds – turning AI into something more approachable and less abstract.

Sound quality has been improved with balanced 360° audio, making it as capable in the kitchen as it is in a living room. New tricks include the ability to pair two speakers with a Google TV Streamer for a proper home theater setup, complete with surround sound. Standard features like multi-room audio and stereo pairing remain, alongside privacy safeguards such as a physical mic mute switch. Color options like Porcelain, Hazel, Jade, and Berry allow the speaker to blend into a wide range of interiors.

Gemini Everywhere: Google’s Strategic Bet

Stepping back, the broader message is clear: Google is no longer dabbling with AI in its smart home products; it is building the entire ecosystem around Gemini. Whether you start with a $20 Walmart cam or a $179 Nest Doorbell, every experience is designed to funnel you deeper into AI-powered living. It’s a strategy built on inclusivity at the low end and aspiration at the high end, with the ultimate goal of making Gemini indispensable.

Some observers argue that this signals the end of the “neutral” smart device era. Google doesn’t just want to automate your lights and cameras – it wants to shape how you interact with your environment. While this raises questions about privacy and dependency, it also promises a level of convenience and intelligence unmatched in today’s fragmented smart home market.

Whether the gamble works will depend on how well these devices perform once they leave glossy launch stages and enter messy, unpredictable households. For now, though, one thing is undeniable: Gemini has officially moved in, and it’s not planning on leaving.