Gemini replaces Google Assistant at home: here are all the products concerned

Google is ushering in a significant shift in its connected home ecosystem, replacing its well-known Google Assistant with the newer, more advanced Gemini. This transition will impact how European users interact with their smart speakers, smart displays, and the Google Home application, potentially altering their daily digital routines and raising questions about data privacy within the European context. The move underscores the ongoing evolution of voice-activated technology and its growing integration into homes across the continent. The replacement affects a range of Google's connected home devices, including the Nest Hub and Nest Mini. Simultaneously, Google is rolling out new hardware, such as the updated Google Home smart speaker, indicating a sustained commitment to its home automation services. While specifics on the Gemini's performance within the EU, including data processing locations and compliance with GDPR, remain to be fully clarified, users should expect a shift in voice command processing and potentially different data privacy configurations. European consumers who rely on these devices for everyday tasks, from playing music to managing schedules, will be directly affected by the upgrade. This change prompts considerations regarding digital sovereignty and the control of user data. As European citizens and businesses become increasingly reliant on smart home technology, understanding the implications of this transition for data security and privacy, in line with EU regulations, becomes more critical than ever. This shift also highlights the competitive landscape in Europe, with alternative smart home platforms and locally developed solutions vying for market share. These changes signal the evolving dynamics of digital sovereignty within the European Union, and how various regulatory measures are impacting the deployment and acceptance of new technology.