According to Android Authority, Google is slowly replacing Google Assistant with its Gemini AI on all Google smart speakers and displays released since 2016. The rollout is happening first for beta testers in an early access program, with the first wave opening up on October 28 for users in the US. However, after that initial burst, progress seems to have stalled. In a poll conducted in early November, a whopping 88% of respondents said they still hadn’t gained access to the Gemini for Home beta. So, if you signed up, you’re probably still waiting for that notification on your phone. The transition is happening, but at a pace that’s frustrating for eager users.
The Slow-Burn Replacement Strategy
Here’s the thing about Google‘s approach: it’s classic Google. They announce a big, shiny new thing—Gemini!—and then the actual rollout is a slow drip that tests everyone’s patience. This isn’t just about adding a feature; it’s a foundational swap of the brain inside millions of devices. Replacing Assistant, which is deeply integrated into routines, device controls, and user habits, is a massive technical and logistical challenge. A slow, controlled beta is the smart play to avoid a PR disaster from widespread bugs. But it creates its own problem: hype fatigue. You get people excited, then you make them wait indefinitely. It feels less like an exclusive club and more like a forgotten waitlist.
Winners, Losers, and the Smart Home Race
So who wins and loses in this? In the immediate term, it’s a win for Google’s AI narrative, showing they’re pushing their latest model into a core product. The losers are the users stuck in limbo, of course. But look at the bigger competitive picture. Amazon’s Alexa has been struggling with its own identity and monetization crisis. Google’s methodical (read: slow) move to Gemini could be an opportunity to leapfrog with a more capable, conversational AI. If Gemini truly understands context and complex commands better than Assistant, it could be a game-changer. But that’s a big “if.” The risk is that by the time Gemini is widely available, a competitor—maybe even Apple refining its HomePod strategy—could have captured mindshare. The smart home platform war isn’t about hardware anymore; it’s about the intelligence inside. And right now, Google is carefully, slowly, swapping out the engine while the car is still running.
