According to Android Authority, Google Home users have discovered a URL hack to force-enable Gemini, Google’s new AI assistant, on their smart speakers and displays. The method involves entering a specific address into Chrome’s address bar and selecting the second option with a globe icon next to it. While a few weeks ago this only changed the device’s voice, the original poster on Reddit now says repeated attempts prompted them to start a free trial of Google Home Premium, which is mandatory for Gemini’s advanced features. After signing up, they received an email that appeared to be the start of the full Gemini for Home setup process. This workaround is gaining attention as users seek to bypass the official, slower rollout of Gemini across Google’s ecosystem.
The Desperate State of Smart Home AI
Here’s the thing: this hack is a symptom of a much bigger problem. People are genuinely frustrated with the current state of their “smart” homes. Google‘s Assistant has felt stagnant for years, and the promise of a supercharged Gemini successor has been dangled for ages. So when users find a literal backdoor to get it early, of course they’re going to take it. It’s a vote of no confidence in the official rollout pace. Basically, the market is screaming for innovation, and users are tired of waiting. This isn’t just about getting a new voice; it’s about accessing the contextual understanding and complex task handling that Gemini is supposed to bring.
Winners, Losers, and the Subscription Squeeze
Now, let’s talk about the immediate fallout. The big winner in the short term? Savvy users who get a taste of premium features for free. But the real story is Google’s clear push toward Google Home Premium. This hack accidentally highlights their subscription endgame. They’re moving advanced AI from a free feature of your device to a paid service. That’s a huge shift. And it puts massive pressure on Amazon’s Alexa and other competitors. Can they afford to keep their best AI features free? Or will everyone be forced into a subscription model to fund the insane compute costs of these large language models? I think we all know the answer.
A Hack With Consequences
But is this a good idea? Probably not. Forcing a service via a URL hack is a great way to have a buggy, unstable experience. These features are rolled out slowly for a reason—server stability, regional testing, and ironing out kinks. Users might get a broken preview that turns them off Gemini for good. And what happens when Google inevitably patches this? Do those free trials get revoked? This creates a messy user experience and undermines trust. It’s a desperate move from passionate users, but it shows just how hungry the market is for the next generation of home AI. The ball is now in Google’s court to deliver an official product that’s so compelling, people won’t need to hack it.
