"Gemini built in": Google offers reference designs for smart home devices

Gemini is apparently set to become ubiquitous. Since last year, Google has been delivering its new AI chatbot in smartphones and watches, tablets, as well as in cars and televisions. Initial attempts in smart homes with Google's own existing devices are also underway. This year, Google seems to want to further “geminize” the smart home.

Because in addition to its own speaker, which was already teased last year and is scheduled to launch in spring 2026, the company plans to help third-party manufacturers develop products faster using a reference design. Google calls this “Gemini built in”.

Reference Design for Smart Speakers

The company announced on its Developers Blog that it is offering a speaker reference design for partners, with which they can build HiFi speakers that “support the entire Gemini voice control experience and function as a command center for your home.” This “turnkey” design supports Gemini smart home core functions such as “Ask Home,” which allows users to ask household-specific questions in natural language via voice command or chat, such as “Did the dog chew the shoe on the sofa?” to which they will receive tailored answers.

“Home Brief” is also supported: this provides a daily summary of sensor and video data. Furthermore, Gemini understands the context of the household – for example, the assistant knows who the family members are and informs users, for instance, that “Julie Marina brought flowers upstairs” while you were out, according to Google. The corresponding information about family members must have been shared with Gemini in advance.

Also for Cameras

In addition to the reference design for AI smart speakers, Google offers an identical approach for smart cameras: With Google's camera reference design, consisting of SoCs, sensors, and microphones, “partners can bypass long development cycles and bring powerful, Gemini-compatible cameras to market,” the company explains. The design was developed together with partners such as Amlogic, SEI Robotics, and Apical.

Furthermore, mobile network operators and internet service providers can integrate functions of Google Home Premium and Gemini into their apps and services. One of the first partners is the US network operator AT&T, which is integrating Gemini functions and Nest Cam functions directly into the “Connected Life” app and security service using Google's Home APIs.

This is not the first time Google has collaborated with other manufacturers on smart home devices. In the past, the company has worked with audio brands Bose, Sony, and JBL on smart speakers and with Lenovo on smart displays with natively integrated Google Assistant. Some partners' new models already support Gemini. However, Google has not achieved a breakthrough with this.

(afl)