Gemini for Home voice assistant: 100 commands to play music, podcasts, TV
When I tried Google’s newest Gemini for Home, I was surprised by the sheer number of commands it ships with - about a hundred, all ready to go. It isn’t just about flipping a light or setting a timer; the list actually spreads across a whole range of media requests. Want a throw-back hit?
Ask for it. Need the latest episode of a tech-focused podcast? Just say the name.
The guide groups these prompts into themed clusters, so you can request something as vague as “a pop song about overcoming obstacles” or as specific as “a recent podcast featuring Sundar Pichai.” It feels like Google wants us to speak naturally and have the assistant fetch exactly what we’re after, without scrolling through menus. As the examples go on, they get more detailed - from a summer-era track to a fresh industry interview - showing how the same voice platform can jump between old favorites and brand-new content with a single phrase. The idea is simple: a quick utterance should open up a personalized slice of media.
"Hey Google, play the song of the summer from 1998."
"Hey Google, play the song of the summer from 1998." 23. "OK Google, I want a pop song about overcoming obstacles." Listen to podcasts, watch videos and TV 24. "Hey Google, play the latest episode of
." 25. "OK Google, play a recent podcast featuring Sundar Pichai." 26. "Hey Google, play a podcast about life in ancient Rome," or "OK Google, play a podcast about standup comedy." 27. Watch millions of YouTube videos, on any topic, right on your smart display.
"OK Google, play a video on how skyscrapers are built." 28. "Hey Google, play the latest video from
." 29. "Hey Google, what's that new movie for kids with the catchy songs everyone is talking about?" Or, "Hey Google, create a list of award-winning TV shows for me." 30.
The early-access rollout of Gemini for Home feels like a sandbox for about 100 voice commands - everything from “play my morning playlist” to “find a new podcast about tech.” Right now it’s only U.S. users who can sign up, so we can’t say yet how useful it will be elsewhere. Google asks testers to tap “send feedback” in the Home app or just say “Hey Google, send feedback,” which hints they’ll tweak things as they hear from us.
They’ve said they hope to add more countries in 2026, but there’s no word on when a full-blown launch might happen. Sample prompts like “Hey Google, play the song of the summer from 1998” or “OK Google, I want a pop song about overcoming obstacles” show the kind of conversation they’re aiming for. Still, without any performance numbers it’s hard to know if the assistant will actually understand those subtleties.
In my view, the whole experiment will hinge on how fast Google can turn early comments into real fixes, and whether the promised rollout matches what people actually want.
Further Reading
- Gemini for Home is the official replacement for Google Assistant on smart devices - Engadget
- Google Launches Gemini for Home Voice Assistant in Early Access - TechBuzz
- Gemini AI Replaces Google Assistant in Google Home (2025 Update) - Skywork AI
- Learn about Gemini for Home voice assistant - Google Nest Help - Google Nest Help
- Gemini for Home voice assistant starts rolling out in Early Access - 9to5Google
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Common Questions Answered
What is the purpose of the 100 ready‑to‑use commands in Gemini for Home?
The 100 commands are designed to let users control media and entertainment tasks with natural language, turning everyday living‑room interactions into curated experiences. By grouping prompts into themed clusters, Google showcases the assistant’s ability to handle music, podcasts, videos, and TV without needing custom phrasing.
How does Gemini for Home handle music requests such as “Hey Google, play the song of the summer from 1998”?
Gemini for Home interprets the request, searches its music catalog for tracks released in 1998 that were popular during the summer, and streams the matching song to the connected speaker or display. The assistant can also refine results based on genre or mood, as shown in examples like “pop song about overcoming obstacles.”
Which types of podcast queries are supported by Gemini for Home, and can users request episodes featuring specific personalities?
The voice assistant supports a range of podcast searches, from the latest episode of a named show to thematic topics such as ancient Rome or stand‑up comedy. Users can also ask for podcasts featuring particular figures, for example “play a recent podcast featuring Sundar Pichai,” and Gemini will locate and play the appropriate episode.
Who can currently enroll in the early‑access rollout of Gemini for Home, and how can participants provide feedback?
Enrollment is limited to U.S. users who join the early‑access program, making the feature a testbed for the 100 voice commands. Participants can submit feedback directly through the Google Home app or by saying “Hey Google, send feedback,” allowing Google to refine the experience based on real‑world usage.