Google adds three new voices to Gemini AI assistant

Google adds three new voices to Gemini AI assistant. (Google)

By Margaret Wanjiru
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

This rollout follows Google’s recent move to integrate Gemini, its latest large language model, into smart speakers, displays, and mobile devices.

Google has introduced three new voices for its Gemini-powered smart assistant, further enhancing personalisation options for users of Nest Audio and Nest Mini devices.

The new voices- named Yarrow, Croton, and Pilea- are part of an ongoing update to the company’s AI voice assistant platform as it continues transitioning from the traditional Google Assistant to Gemini.

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This naming tradition began with earlier Gemini voice profiles such as Aloe, Oxalis, Fern, and Eucalyptus, and continues as part of Google’s branding strategy for its AI voice options.

The announcement was made on June 30, with Google confirming that the voices are currently available to users enrolled in the Google Home Public Preview programme.

The three new additions offer a wider range of natural-sounding, human-like voice options, similar to Amazon’s “Alexa” and Apple’s “Siri”. They are designed to make interactions with smart home devices more conversational and immersive.

Yarrow features a warm, deeper tone

Croton delivers a smooth, low-register voice

Pilea provides a higher, brighter pitch

This rollout follows Google’s recent move to integrate Gemini, its latest large language model, into smart speakers, displays, and mobile devices.

Earlier this year, Google unveiled Gemini for mobile phones and Android Auto. It is now extending the platform’s AI-driven conversational abilities into home devices.

The company has also confirmed plans to eventually rebrand “Google Assistant” as “Gemini” across its entire ecosystem.

Users who wish to access the new voices can do so by enabling Experimental AI Features within the Google Home app. Once activated, the new voices appear in the Assistant Voice and Sounds menu.

Additionally, responses generated through Gemini are signalled by a distinct chime before speaking, indicating that the AI is producing a dynamic, real-time response rather than delivering a pre-programmed reply.

The new voice additions form part of a broader strategy by Google to create a unified, multimodal AI assistant experience across various devices.

This includes expanding Gemini’s presence in vehicles via Android Auto, where the assistant can handle tasks such as message translation, navigation adjustments, and email management through natural, conversational prompts, without requiring screen interaction.

Gemini’s voice assistant capabilities are expected to roll out to more devices later this year, with Google positioning the platform at the heart of its future AI offerings.