Is Google’s Gemini Smart Home AI Worth the Price?

Google’s latest attempt to integrate its generative AI model, Gemini, into smart home devices may seem promising, but it raises more questions than answers. Gemini for Home is a premium subscription service that comes with extended video history and AI-powered features like daily summaries, notifications, and more.

However, early reviews have shown that Gemini can struggle with accuracy, leading to periodic warnings of home invasion – both human and animal. This raises concerns about the reliability and usefulness of this technology.

To use Gemini’s features, you’ll need a paid subscription starting at $20 per month for extended camera history and AI-powered summaries. The cheaper option costs $10, but it provides less video history and no AI-assisted notifications.

Despite Google’s advancements in AI, even the current state of the art may not be reliable enough to handle complex real-world situations. With Gemini Live on smart speakers, users are getting a taste of what’s possible – but is it worth the price and potential headaches?

Source: https://arstechnica.com/google/2025/10/unexpectedly-a-deer-briefly-entered-the-family-room-living-with-gemini-home