Google might bring Gemini to third-party smart displays and speakers.

Google's AI assistant might seem limited, but a new report shows why it's about to get much more useful.

A Reddit user recently noticed an intriguing message on their Lenovo Smart Display. The message stated, "Update in progress. Check back soon to get started with Gemini for Home." Until now, Gemini for Home availability has been limited to a specific range of Google's devices and some US users.

This approach differs from Google's usual practice of offering its core Gemini features on various Android and iOS phones. However, smart home integration has been more restricted, potentially changing now.

The official list of supported devices from Google includes:

Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)

Google Nest Hub Max

Google Nest Hub (1st gen)

Google Home Max

Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)

Google Home Mini (1st gen)

Google Nest Audio

Google Home

Google Nest Wifi point

The appearance of the prompt on the Lenovo display marks a possible change. While Google has not formally announced Lenovo support, they mentioned in a community post that they were "working with third-party speaker companies" to expand Gemini to more devices. This could be the first indication of that initiative.

This development is noteworthy considering the competitive landscape. Google's initial strategy with Assistant, similar to Amazon's approach with Alexa, aimed for widespread integration. Google collaborated with brands like Lenovo and JBL to develop third-party smart displays.

Subsequently, Google appeared to shift focus. These third-party devices experienced delayed updates or were neglected altogether. The exclusive launch of Gemini on Google's hardware suggested a decline for these third-party products.

This potential expansion suggests Google may be renewing its commitment to these users. It could revitalize hardware that many believed was nearing obsolescence, aligning with Google's initial strategy.

Previously, Google's smart home strategy seemed inconsistent. Encouraging partners to develop hardware and then seemingly neglecting them on the software side created a negative perception.