Google finally brought continuous conversation to Gemini for Google Nest devices, so you can stop repeating “Hey Google” to continue the conversation.
Amazon charges $20 for this feature
While the ability to keep the conversation flowing without asking AI to listen already exists through Gemini Live, the feature’s arrival on Google’s smart home device is more than welcome. This is largely because its Alexa+ rival offers smart AI features and seamless conversations, but at a price. You only get continuous talk on Alexa devices if you have Alexa+, which you can access through a Prime membership or by paying $19.99 per month.
I’ve had a 4th generation Alexa Dot since 2021, so I can attest to how annoying it is to say “Alexa” every time. There’s a tracking feature, sure, but it creates more problems instead of solving them. Furthermore, it was simply a way to ask another query with little to no retention of the context of the current conversation. Since older devices like mine have their continuous talk updates locked behind a paid subscription, Google’s decision to bring Gemini Live to your smart home device for free is great for those who already have Google Nest speakers.
For those unfamiliar, Continuous Conversations keeps the assistant listening for a few seconds, so they can ask Gemini a follow-up question. The lights on the device will continue to flash or shine until the assistant stops hearing the tracking. The new update will also improve ongoing conversations, with interactions that flow better, naturally and with better context retention. The feature is now available in all supported languages and regions, not just English.
How to set up continuous conversation on Google Nest speakers
The latest version from Google is not a default feature implementation. It must be enabled for it to work on Google Nest devices. To enable continuous talk, go to the Google Home app. Go to Home Settings, select Gemini for Home Voice Assistant, and choose Continuous Conversation.
Fountain: Google
