Google has removed the iconic Nest x Yale Lock from its store as supplies run dry, redirecting shoppers to the $189.99 Yale Smart Lock with Matter — a Thread-powered successor that shows Google betting its smart home future on Matter and partners.
Google began replacing Assistant with Gemini on Android phones in September 2026 via mandatory updates. Nest speakers and displays are exempt — here’s what’s changing, what isn’t, and what it means for your smart home.
Gemini for Home brings Google’s conversational AI to every Nest speaker and display made since 2016 — free via early access. Here’s how to enroll, what’s included, and why you can’t switch back.
Google has discontinued the Nest Mini and Nest Audio in 2026, consolidating around the new $99.99 Gemini-powered Google Home Speaker. Existing owners can still upgrade to Gemini for Home — here’s what changes.
Google Home Premium starts at $10/month and unlocks Gemini Live, the AI-powered Home Brief, and video history on the new $99.99 Google Home Speaker. Here’s what’s worth paying for — and the real first-year cost.
Google’s first Gemini-native smart speaker launched June 25, 2026 at $99.99 with 360-degree audio, a Matter/Thread hub, and four colors — but the best Gemini features require a $10/month Home Premium subscription.
Thread 1.4 has landed on Apple TV via the tvOS 27 beta and on the Google TV Streamer, bringing standardized credential sharing that should finally unite fragmented Thread networks. Here is what it fixes, what still does not work, and what Matter 1.6 has in store next. We explain the credential-sharing fix, the current beta limitations, and what to do in the meantime.