Google Assistant’s been having a rough few weeks. Here’s Google’s response

Nope, it’s not just you: Reports of Google Assistant strugglng to perform even basic smart home commands have been surging in recent weeks, and now Google is admitting that something’s amiss. 

The lead executive for Google’s Home and Nest division tweeted on X that he’s heard the complaints “loud and clear” and revealed that his team is “actively working on major improvements.” 

“I want to acknowledge the recent feedback about Google Assistant reliability on our home devices,” said Anish Kattukaran, the director of product management for Google Home and Nest. “I sincerely apologize for what you’re experiencing and feeling!” 

Kattukaran’s assurances come after a steep rise in complaints about Google Assistant on Google’s Nest speakers and displays. Some users have been reporting that their Assistant routines have stopped working, while others say their Assistant-enabled devices have lost contact with smart lights, fail to play Spotify playlists, or can no longer control their Chromecast streaming devices with voice commands. 

“We hear you loud and clear and are committed to getting this right – and making sure we have a long-term solution that provides better reliability and capability,” Katturkaran promised. 

Kattukaran’s statement on X come during a turbulent time for Google Assistant, which is gradually being phased out to make way for Gemini. 

Google kicked off a test of Gemini on Google Nest speakers late last year, before announcing in March that a “new experience powered by Gemini” will soon replace Google Assistant on Google’s smart devices. 

In the meantime, Google has been quietly shedding features from Google Assistant and dropping support for some key Nest smart products, including its first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats. Google has also discontinued its Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm and Nest x Yale Lock and handed off the development of further devices in those product categories to third parties. 

Of course, Google isn’t the only company facing a difficult transition period for its voice assistants. Alexa is in the middle of a glacially slow rollout of its AI-enhanced Alexa+, with mixed success. Meanwhile, Apple’s rumored smart hub has been reportedly delayed until next year due to speedbumps with Siri’s AI makeover. 

In any event, Google has been promising big things for Google Home in the fall, including new devices and—presumably—this “new experience powered by Gemini” that we’ve been heading about.

Sounds good, but at the rate things are going for Google Assistant and Google’s Home efforts in general, these promised autumn improvements couldn’t come a moment too soon.