Google: 3.5 million users tested Gemini for Home assistant, speaker launch next week
Google announced that 3.5 million users have tested its Gemini for Home assistant since the early access program launched in October 2025. The company delivered over 2,500 bug fixes and 50 major feature updates based on user feedback, and is teasing a Google Home Speaker launch for next week.
Google: 3.5 million users tested Gemini for Home assistant, speaker launch next week
Google announced that 3.5 million users have participated in early access testing for its Gemini for Home assistant since the program launched in October 2025. The company is now teasing the launch of a new Google Home Speaker for next week.
Testing program results
According to an email sent to customers from Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer for Google Home & Nest, the early access program served as "a direct line to our engineering team" for user feedback. The testing period resulted in:
- Over 2,500 bug fixes
- 50+ major feature updates
- Expansion to 20 countries across 10 languages
- Updates released every other week
Kattukaran highlighted Continued Conversation and upgraded media controls as examples of major feature additions driven by user feedback. The company also implemented updates to the Home app, enhanced camera experiences, and expanded automation capabilities.
Speaker launch imminent
The email concluded with a tease: "for those of you who have been patiently waiting for a certain speaker… keep a very close eye on your inbox next week." With spring ending on June 21, Google would meet its previously announced spring deadline for the hardware release.
The Google Home Speaker has been anticipated since Google first announced Gemini integration for its smart home ecosystem. The device is expected to serve as a flagship product for demonstrating Gemini's capabilities in home automation and voice assistant tasks.
What this means
The 3.5 million tester count represents significant early adoption for Google's Gemini-powered home assistant, providing the company with substantial real-world data before the full public launch. The biweekly update cadence and 2,500 bug fixes indicate Google took the early access period seriously, using it to refine the product rather than as a marketing exercise. The timing of the speaker launch suggests Google is moving quickly to compete in the AI-powered smart home market, where Amazon and Apple also have established positions.
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