Originally, Google’s Gemini for Home AI could only access video clips stored from compatible security cameras. It could answer questions about the location of items, notify you when a UPS van is arriving, and provide daily status summaries. motion detected activity captured by the cameras. Today, this AI analysis benefits from a significant improvement in live visualization.
According to Anish Kattukaran, Director of Product for Google Home, and his latest X articles on the changes, Google Home is introducing the ability to ask Gemini questions for Home Live Search, allowing the AI to watch what the camera currently seesanalyze these images and explain them.
“You can now ask Gemini to understand the current state of your home,” Kattukaran wrote. “(For example), Ok Google, is there a car in the driveway?”
These options will be available only to Google Home Premium Advanced subscribers, with plans starting at $20.
A Google representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other Google Home upgrades include the full rollout of Yale Smart Lock Improved integration and informal conversation with Gemini for Home.
How invasive are these Gemini live viewing features?
Gemini can search your video history for you, but switching to live views is a significant expansion.
Tyler Lacoma/CNETConcerns about access to Gemini AI security cameras on request are understandable. Similar privacy questions have been raised with features like The Ring Animal Research Team and the extent of law enforcement access to Herd Safety Monitoring.
Unlike Ring’s abbreviated partnership, Google Nest never had a contract with surveillance companies like Flock. However, the company has shared footage with police in the past, including when Nest first retrieved supposedly deleted cloud footage from a Nest camera, to help in the case of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of Today Show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
It’s unclear whether the new Live Search feature will allow Gemini for Home to access cameras on demand in cases involving law enforcement requests. According to Google’s description, Gemini for Home can use Live Search whenever questions are asked about the current condition of a home, giving the AI broad access. Google has not yet clarified whether live search can be disabled or how live camera feeds might be handled in relation to policing or other privacy concerns.
Each time Gemini for Home accesses a Nest camera, the images can be used for AI training purposes. Details on how Live Search is enabled and managed have not been fully disclosed. By default, the latest Nest cameras provides 6 hours of free cloud video storage, but Gemini for Home can only access stored or live footage if people have the appropriate subscription plan and have enabled the feature.
