Google is turning up the dial on its Assistant with a fresh voice

Google is turning up the dial on its Assistant with a fresh voice and smarter responses, thanks to its Gemini large language models. While the tech giant rolls out these enhancements to select Nest smart home devices, users are experiencing a mix of applause and groans over the new auditory upgrade.

Back in August, Google teased its plans to infuse Gemini into the Google Assistant, promising more natural conversations and a snazzier voice on smart home devices. Fast forward to today, and some Nest users are already tuning into the changes. Depending on your command, your smart speaker might greet you with the familiar voice for straightforward queries like “What’s the weather?” or switch to the suave, Gemini-powered tone for more chatty interactions.

Imagine asking your Nest Mini, “What’s up?” and getting a response that feels like chatting with a well-spoken friend rather than a robotic helper. That’s the new experience Google is aiming for — warmer voices with better pacing and more conversational flair. The goal? To make back-and-forth dialogues smoother and more engaging, encouraging longer interactions and follow-up questions.

But as with any makeover, not everyone is thrilled. A chorus of users has emerged, expressing frustration over the sudden voice change. The new voices, while designed to be more natural, have left some feeling like Assistant has lost its familiar charm. Complaints range from voices sounding “depressed” to accents that don’t quite hit the mark, with some users longing for the ability to revert to the old tones.

In the settings app, Google has introduced options under “Google Assistant” > “Assistant Voice & Sound,” where users can toggle between the classic and the new Gemini-enhanced voices. However, for some, changing the voice has inadvertently locked them into the new soundscape, sparking calls for more flexibility and choice.

Google’s updates aren’t just about voices. The promise of richer responses and better understanding aims to handle complex topics with ease and adapt to user needs — like pausing mid-conversation, asking multiple questions, or changing directions on the fly. These enhancements are part of a broader push to make smart assistants not just smarter, but also more personable.

Despite the mixed reactions, Google will likely be forging ahead, confident that the Gemini-powered Assistant will enhance the smart home experience for many. As the rollout continues, it remains to be seen whether the new voice will win over skeptics or if Google will need to strike a better balance between innovation and user comfort.