← All storiesTechnologyDeveloping story

Google Home’s latest update makes Gemini better at understanding your commands

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. You can now ask Gemini to change your lighting by describing the look you want. You can now ask Gemini to change your lighting by describing the look you want. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Google is launching another update to its Home app, which is supposed to make controlling your smart home with its Gemini AI assistant “more natural and reliable,” according to this week’s release notes. With the update, you can describe the type of lighting you want, such as “the color of the ocean,” and Gemini will pick the color based on your prompt. You can also use more natural and precise language when asking Gemini to control your appliances or climate. That means you can now tell Gemini to “preheat the smart oven to 350 degrees” or set specific humidity levels. Google has improved Gemini’

7
updates in timeline
5
distinct sources
7 days
story span
Apr 9, 2026
latest update

Apr 2, 2026 → Apr 9, 2026

LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Apr 9, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet report
Google bakes NotebookLM, its research tool, into Gemini - Engadget

You can now create NotebookLM notebooks within the chatbot. Google has fully integrated NotebookLM, its AI-powered research tool, into the Gemini app. The company launched a standalone NotebookLM app last year, but as it said in its…

Read original at Engadget →
ACTIVITY · UPDATES PER MONTH
Apr 26

7 updates from 5 sources over 7 days.

Showing 7 of 7 updates

Timeline (7 updates)

April 2026

7 updates
Apr 9, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
Google bakes NotebookLM, its research tool, into Gemini - Engadget

You can now create NotebookLM notebooks within the chatbot. Google has fully integrated NotebookLM, its AI-powered research tool, into the Gemini app. The company launched a standalone NotebookLM app last year, but as…

Read original at Engadget →
Apr 9, 2026·The VergeT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Gemini gets notebooks to help you organize projects

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your…

Read original at The Verge →
Apr 8, 2026·CNETT2 · Outlet report
Google Upgrades Maps Features With More Gemini and Faster Photo Uploads - CNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests…

Read original at CNET →
Apr 7, 2026·EngadgetT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Google updates Gemini's mental health safeguards - Engadget

Last year, the chatbot allegedly encouraged a 38-year-old man to commit suicide. Google is making some changes to how Gemini handles mental health crises. The chatbot now includes a redesigned crisis hotline module with…

Read original at Engadget →
Apr 7, 2026·MashableT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Google: Teens can't treat Gemini like a friend

On Tuesday, Google shared for the first time details about how its AI chatbot Gemini is designed not to act like a companion or claim to be human when interacting with minors. The information, published by the company…

Read original at Mashable →
Apr 6, 2026·The Next WebT2 · Outlet report
Google quietly releases free offline AI dictation app for iPhone | TNW

This article was published on April 6, 2026 In short: Google has quietly released an iOS app called Google AI Edge Eloquent, a free, offline-first voice dictation tool that transcribes speech in real time, strips filler…

Read original at The Next Web →
Apr 2, 2026·The VergeT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
Google Home’s latest update makes Gemini better at understanding your commands

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your…

Read original at The Verge →

Sources & evidence (7)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 7
COVERAGE BY SOURCE
The Verge 2Engadget 2The Next Web 1Mashable 1CNET 1
STRONGEST EVIDENCE
T2 · Outlet reportEngadgetApr 9, 2026

You can now create NotebookLM notebooks within the chatbot. Google has fully integrated NotebookLM, its AI-powered research tool, into the Gemini app. The company launched a standalone NotebookLM app last year, but as it said in its…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe VergeApr 9, 2026

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportCNETApr 8, 2026

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportEngadgetApr 7, 2026

Last year, the chatbot allegedly encouraged a 38-year-old man to commit suicide. Google is making some changes to how Gemini handles mental health crises. The chatbot now includes a redesigned crisis hotline module with a one-touch…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportMashableApr 7, 2026

On Tuesday, Google shared for the first time details about how its AI chatbot Gemini is designed not to act like a companion or claim to be human when interacting with minors. The information, published by the company in a blog post, was…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe Next WebApr 6, 2026

This article was published on April 6, 2026 In short: Google has quietly released an iOS app called Google AI Edge Eloquent, a free, offline-first voice dictation tool that transcribes speech in real time, strips filler words…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

Related stories

TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

US supreme court rejects Republican-drawn midterm map in Missouri for third time – as it happened

Long-running fight over Trump-backed maps takes another turn as absentee voting is already under way in Missouri. This blog is now closed. Sign up for US Breaking News emails Xi…

13 updates3 sources9 days long
Sep 26, 2026 → Oct 5, 2026
Latest: Trump Hits Campaign Trail as GOP Support Slips · Bloomberg
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Trump unveils his new Super Intelligence Force

This new task force is Trump's latest response to the debate over AI safety.

3 updates3 sources1 day long
Oct 4, 2026 → Oct 5, 2026
Latest: Trump unveils 'Super Intelligence Force' to oversee AI policy · BBC
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Can ‘super intelligence’ and a non-binding safety pact solve AI’s image problem?

On Equity, we discussed the Trump administration's attempts to rebrand AI.

1 update1 source
Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Can ‘super intelligence’ and a non-binding safety pact solve AI’s image problem? · TechCrunch
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

Trump Set to Name Jay Clayton as AI Czar With Safety Fear Rising

President Donald Trump is expected to name US Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton as his next artificial intelligence czar, according to a person familiar with the…

4 updates3 sources2 days long
Oct 2, 2026 → Oct 4, 2026
Latest: Trump names four officials to lead his Super Intelligence Force · The Next Web
TechnologyT2 · Outlet report

Gavin Newsom signs laws to protect California workers from AI threat

Democratic governor sharply critical of Donald Trump for not passing comprehensive federal AI regulations Governor Gavin Newsom signed laws Wednesday aimed at protecting…

3 updates2 sources2 days long
Oct 1, 2026 → Oct 2, 2026
Latest: California Sues to Block Trump From Weakening Fuel Economy Rules · NYT
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

Trump Says Powell Should Be Forced to Resign From Fed Board

President Donald Trump said former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should resign from the central bank’s Board of Governors over findings the central bank mismanaged the…

3 updates1 source2 days long
Sep 30, 2026 → Oct 2, 2026
Latest: Trump: Won’t Do Diesel Export Ban · Bloomberg