With the ongoing rivalry in the smart speaker market, users mainly have two choices: Amazon Alexa on Echo speakers and Google Assistant on the Nest Audio line. The recent unveiling of Google's Assistant powered by Gemini AI at Google I/O has highlighted the aging capabilities of the current Google Assistant. Despite Gemini's integration into various Google apps, Android, and even the iOS version of the Google app, there was no mention of its integration into the Nest line of products.

During the I/O keynote, Google's Gemini AI demonstrated its potential to provide contextual help in various scenarios, such as answering questions about a video you're watching, creating images on request, or researching topics without opening a new app or browser tab. The experimental Project Astra assistant also showcased a new, more personable voice.

However, there was no mention of any Nest products, including speakers. Google confirmed that the I/O focus was on the mobile Gemini experience, leaving Nest users uncertain about future updates. This lack of information is particularly disappointing for those who have invested in Nest Audio speakers, which offer high-quality audio and speaker grouping but struggle with the current version of Google Assistant.

A Gemini AI-powered Assistant could significantly enhance the functionality of existing Nest products by providing more natural, researched answers and improving contextual awareness. For example, while the current Assistant can provide weather updates and general information, it falls short in scenarios requiring nuanced understanding, such as determining whether old carrots are suitable for making broth.

Music streaming is another area where improvements are needed. Users have reported reduced search accuracy when switching from YouTube Music to other services like Apple Music. This inconsistency highlights the need for a more intelligent assistant that can better understand and execute user requests.

The last refresh of Google's Nest line was the Nest Audio in 2020 and the second-generation Nest Hub in 2021. These models predate Google's in-house Tensor processors, which power the AI features in Pixel phones. The question arises whether existing Nest speakers can support the advanced capabilities of a Gemini-powered Assistant without new hardware.

While the hope is that Gemini AI could be integrated into current devices via updates, the potential need for new hardware cannot be ignored. In the competitive landscape, Amazon's Echo line continues to expand, with new models and AI improvements announced for 2023.

If Google decides to introduce new Nest speakers to support Gemini AI, it would be strategic to reintroduce a high-end model like the Google Home Max, which offered superior audio quality and additional input options. As it stands, Google's focus seems to be elsewhere, allowing competitors to dominate the high-end smart speaker market.

For now, Nest users will have to wait and see if Google's next move will bring Gemini AI to their devices or if a new generation of Nest speakers will be necessary to harness the full potential of this advanced assistant technology.