Google Assistant's Gemini voice is here, but some users want their old tunes back

Google’s vision of an AI-infused future is taking another leap with the introduction of Gemini-powered Google Assistant to your smart home experience. This upgrade promises richer responses, a more natural voice, and the ability to handle nuanced conversations. However, as the rollout trickles out to Google Nest smart speakers and displays, early reactions show that not everyone is thrilled about saying “Hey Google” to a brand-new voice.

First announced in August, the Gemini-powered Assistant is set to revolutionize interactions with Google’s ecosystem. The new voices are designed to be warmer, more engaging, and better at pacing, while responses aim to summarize complex topics in a conversational tone. Some users are already experiencing this, with specific commands like “What’s up?” triggering Gemini’s voice instead of the classic Assistant tone. Yet, for basic queries like weather updates, the familiar old voice sticks around. Check out the video below.

Interestingly, reports suggest that these Gemini voices aren’t simply repurposed from Google’s language model but were custom-made, and the result is a mix of intrigue and skepticism.

The rollout is slow and selective

If you’re feeling left out, you’re not alone. Despite Gemini’s debut, I’ve yet to encounter this new voice on my Nest devices. It appears that Google is rolling this out regionally or even selectively. European and UK users seem to be leading the charge, but even they report limited options — usually just two voices to choose from. What about the rest of the world? It’s still unclear whether other regions or languages will receive different voices, but it seems the Gemini wave will take time to reach everyone.

Some users want the old Assistant voice back

Whenever there’s a significant change to a product’s personality — like the literal voice of Google Assistant –it’s bound to stir emotions. On the one hand, some users praise Gemini for sounding more human and less robotic. On the other, a few lament losing the comfort of their old digital companion.

Some British users describe their new voice as an “angry London geezer,” while others liken it to a moody teenager. One particularly frustrated user compared the change to losing a long-time friend, emphasizing how deeply embedded these voices can become in daily routines. For those with sensory sensitivities, like this autistic user, the new voices feel unsettling and unwelcome.

But it’s not all bad news. A few Dutch and Swedish users report improved accuracy and conversational flow in their languages, calling the change a step forward. These positive voices are notably quieter in the mix, suggesting that many satisfied users might simply not feel compelled to weigh in.

The uproar around Gemini-powered Google Assistant voices isn’t just about accents or tonal shifts. It highlights how much personality matters in AI interactions. Google Assistant’s voices have been a part of homes for years, shaping habits and routines. Losing the option to revert to older voices has many users calling for more customization and choice — a sentiment echoed in requests for Google to bring back previous voices or, at the very least, offer more options.

Google’s Gemini update is clearly still finding its footing. While some users are embracing the AI upgrade, others are crossing their fingers for tweaks or a rollback. For now, those of us still waiting for the Gemini treatment can only watch from the sidelines as Google slowly fine-tunes its rollout.

Featured image: Google Blog