Google Home update fixes Nest ‘Live View’ issues, improves Nest Hub and Gemini for speakers

A new Google Home update is rolling out with a fix for “Live View” issues affecting Nest Cam devices, improvements for the Nest Hub, upgrades for Gemini, and more. As per usual, the latest Google Home update can be split up into a few categories, starting with Gemini. Still in early access, enrolled users can expect further improvements to smart home controls, faster timers, and “more conversational voice feedback,” as well as faster Broadcasts. Most notable on the Gemini front is improvements to Nest Hubs, with smart displays now showing “relevant images when helpful” when you ask questions. Visual answers with images on smart displays: On-screen answers on smart displays now will include relevant images when helpful so you can take in information at a glance. In the Google Home app, Google is adding a “Google Home Premium” page to the settings menu, an “Eco Mode Everywhere” toggle for homes with multiple Nest Thermostats, and support for Home keys in Google Wallet for compatible locks. Google Wallet rolling out digital Google Home keys with supported locks on Android More software updates are rolling out for older Nest Cam devices, including a fix for the “Live View” issue that’s been in place on some devices such as Nest Hello. You can also remove an unmigrated Nest Hello from the Home app even if it is offline. Other camera updates in this update include: More reliable camera history player controls (Android): Fixed issues in camera event history where the previous and next event buttons or player controls could be missing or unresponsive on still-image events, timeline gaps, or playback error screens, or get stuck loading when rotating your phone. Fewer unnecessary Nest account linking prompts (Android): Fixed an issue where already-linked users could be prompted with “Do you have a Nest account?” during brief network interruptions. Clearer account relinking for partner cameras (Android): Fixed an issue where third-party cameras with an expired partner account link appeared offline instead of showing the option to relink your account. Offline legacy Nest Doorbell removal (Android): Restored the option in device settings to remove an offline unmigrated Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen). Software updates for Nest Cam Indoor (1st gen), Nest Cam Outdoor (1st gen), Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen / Nest Hello), Nest Cam IQ Indoor, and Nest Cam IQ Outdoor migrated to the Google Home app: Fixed live streaming connection issues on certain network connections: Resolved an issue where live streaming could fail to connect over certain internet connections (such as PPPoE, fiber, or mobile hotspots) while event history continued recording normally, and improved live stream responsiveness and smoothness. Restored event thumbnails on Nest Cam IQ: Fixed an issue on Nest Cam IQ Indoor and Nest Cam IQ Outdoor where event previews in the Google Home app could appear blank. Improved playback timestamps and camera reliability: Improved camera clock accuracy for reliable event history timestamps, updated security certificates, and fixed stability issues to reduce unexpected camera restarts. On the AI agent front, Google Home MCP connections now allow agents to control automations as well as accessing new controls and status checks across “thermostats, fans, air purifiers, robot vacuums, lighting effects, kitchen appliances, EV chargers, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.” Google is also rolling out smart speaker updates right now, but details on what’s new are limited. More on Google Home: Google Home brings back sounds for Gemini, and I’m both elated and irritated Google Home and Nest speakers getting seven updates Amazon’s latest Echo smart displays and speakers reinforce Google Home’s lost lead Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.