Google is giving its oldest smart speakers some overdue attention. Firmware version 3.79.550760 entered testing on October 14, 2026 through the company’s speaker firmware Preview Program, covering four veteran models: the original Google Home from 2016, the Home Mini from 2017, the Nest Mini from 2019, and the Nest Audio from 2020. It is not a feature overhaul — Google’s release notes describe refinements to audio streaming, Wi-Fi connectivity, Google Assistant behavior, smart home controls, and overall stability. But the update carries a signal owners have been watching for: continued software support for hardware that, in the case of the original Google Home, is now a decade old.
What the update covers
According to Google’s release notes, as reported by 9to5Google, the firmware targets five areas of everyday speaker use:
- Audio and media streaming, plus volume controls — reliability improvements for the music, radio, podcast, and other audio playback these speakers are most commonly used for.
- Device setup and Wi-Fi connectivity — aimed at the connection and configuration issues owners encounter when keeping speakers on the network.
- Google Assistant interactions — refinements to the voice assistant experience, though Google has not detailed the precise changes.
- Smart home controls — voice control of compatible lights and other connected devices through the speakers.
- Performance and system stability — the usual catch-all for software refinements that help older devices run more consistently.
Google has not provided detailed technical explanations or performance measurements for any of these areas, so the practical impact will only become clear as the firmware reaches devices and owners report back. This is also a separate release from an earlier Google speaker firmware update in June 2026, which addressed music-streaming compatibility and radio playback interruptions — the two should not be confused.
Which speakers are included
The update covers four models, spanning a full decade of Google’s smart speaker history:
- Google Home (2016) — the original device that introduced Google’s voice-controlled speaker experience to households.
- Google Home Mini (2017) — the compact, puck-shaped alternative for rooms with limited space.
- Google Nest Mini (2019) — the second-generation Mini with updated hardware and improved sound.
- Google Nest Audio (2020) — the larger model designed for more substantial music playback alongside everyday voice assistance.
Notably absent is the Google Home Max, the company’s premium speaker from 2017. Owners should also avoid assuming every Google smart speaker will receive the same update at the same time — Google rolls firmware out in stages, and availability can vary by model and region.
Why this update matters
Ten years of software support is a meaningful statement in the smart home world. Speakers like the original Google Home and Home Mini still sit in kitchens, bedrooms, and offices everywhere, handling alarms, timers, music, and light control. Refinements to Wi-Fi reliability and streaming stability are exactly the kind of maintenance updates that keep aging hardware useful rather than nudging owners toward a replacement.
The timing is also interesting. Google is simultaneously pushing its Gemini for Home initiative — a separate set of changes to the Google Home app and its AI assistant, including improvements to conversations, voice commands, weather responses, and device controls reported in October. It is important to keep the two apart: an app update changes the software on your phone or tablet, while speaker firmware changes the software running on the physical device. Receiving one does not mean the other has arrived, and owners should not assume this firmware automatically brings every Gemini for Home feature to a Home Mini or Nest Audio.
And it arrives during one of the busiest smart home weeks of the year, with Apple unveiling its HomeView hub, HomePod mini 2, new Apple TV 4K, and a full Home Collection of accessories. Google’s message, intentional or not, is that it is still investing in the vast installed base of older speakers already in people’s homes — not just in what comes next.
How to check your speaker’s firmware
Google distributes speaker firmware automatically over the air, so there is nothing to download manually — the device just needs to be powered on and connected to the internet. To check which version you have:
- Open the Google Home app on a connected phone or tablet.
- Select the Home Mini, Nest Mini, Nest Audio, or other supported speaker.
- Open the device’s Settings.
- Select Device information.
- Look under Technical information for the Cast firmware version.
Owners who want early access can enroll in Google’s Preview Program from the same Device information screen, though availability and the firmware version delivered to a particular device may vary. Google’s official speaker firmware release notes page remains the authoritative place to verify published versions.
What to expect next
As of now, Google has not announced an exact date for a wider public rollout. The 3.79.550760 firmware is in Preview Program testing, and reports suggest a broader release could follow in the coming weeks — but that timing is not a confirmed commitment from Google. Owners of the four covered models should keep an eye on the Google Home app and the official release notes. For a product line whose oldest member predates the Nest rebrand by three years, even a maintenance update is worth noting: it means Google is not done with these speakers yet.