Google Acknowledges Home Assistant Glitches, Teases Major Gemini-Powered Upgrades.

Key Takeaway.

• Google admits reliability problems with Home and Nest Assistant and apologizes for user frustrations.
• The company plans significant Gemini-based upgrades this fall to improve performance and user experience.

Google has admitted that its Assistant for Home and Nest devices has been struggling with reliability issues and has promised significant improvements later this year. The announcement was made by Anish Kattukaran, the Chief Product Officer for Google Home and Nest, in a candid post on X (formerly Twitter) addressing growing user dissatisfaction (e.g. commands not executing or smart devices not responding).

In the post, Kattukaran expressed regret over the current user experience and reassured that Google has been working on long-term fixes. He also hinted at “major improvements” coming in fall 2025, likely in sync with the wider rollout of Gemini-powered enhancements already previewed in other areas of Google’s smart-home system.

Users Report Multiple Failures in Home Assistant.

Smart-home users have experienced frustrating behavior such as voice commands being misunderstood, routines failing to execute, and devices not responding at all. These issues seem more severe compared to previous years, which has led to increased public criticism. In response, Kattukaran stated, "We hear you loud and clear and are committed to getting this right," and emphasized that Google is dedicated to creating a reliable and capable assistant experience.

He acknowledged that the current state does not meet user expectations and offered a sincere apology for the inconvenience. The company is working on structural improvements designed to stabilize performance and restore trust before rolling out more advanced features.

What to Expect from Upcoming Gemini Integration.

Google has already introduced limited Gemini-powered upgrades across its product ecosystem. These include smarter search capabilities and more natural language home automations. The promise of major improvements this fall suggests that Gemini will play a central part in improving Assistant reliability, responsiveness, and overall smart-home control.

Kattukaran’s message indicates that this update will go beyond surface tweaks to address deeper architectural issues. It could cover better camera integrations, improved routines, and more robust voice control across all Home and Nest devices. Google plans to reveal details in the coming months, possibly timed with its Pixel 10 launch event.

Why This Matters.

A trustworthy voice assistant is now expected to integrate seamlessly with everyday smart-home devices. When lights refuse to turn on or routines break, it disrupts the convenience and confidence users have come to expect. Google’s open acknowledgement of these issues demonstrates accountability. More importantly, the company’s Gemini-driven focus shows it recognizes that better AI is the next step toward restoring reliability across its ecosystem.