Old Google Home and Nest speakers getting big firmware update

The latest firmware package is designed to overhaul multiple core aspects of the smart speaker experience. According to the deployment notes, version 3.79 introduces notable enhancements to the initial device setup procedure, streamlines Wi-Fi connectivity stability, upgrades baseline audio performance, and refines smart home control responsiveness. Additionally, mentions within the ecosystem point toward deeper integration or optimization pathways related to "Google Assistant," a reference that increasingly intersects with the ongoing evolution toward Gemini capabilities within Google’s broader hardware portfolio.

This ambitious wave of testing currently encompasses four major generations of Google audio hardware. The devices included in this firmware flight range from the original Google Home introduced back in 2016, to the compact Home Mini released in 2017, the successor Nest Mini launched in 2019, and the more robust Nest Audio which debuted in 2020. Notably absent from this specific rollout is the larger Google Home Max, which has remained on an older firmware branch for a considerable period. Similarly, the recently launched Google Home Speaker was left out of this particular testing wave, though industry observers note that because it hit the market recently, it likely ships with these performance and connectivity improvements already baked into its factory software.

For users eager to test these new features ahead of their public release, Google maintains an opt-in infrastructure via the Google Home mobile application. By navigating to the specific device page, accessing the settings gear icon in the top-right corner, selecting device information, and opting into the Preview Program, users can queue their hardware for experimental firmware deliveries. Google typically handles these deployments automatically during overnight maintenance windows, minimizing disruption to everyday smart home routines.

The deployment of version 3.79 to the Preview Program marks the traditional final phase of testing before a broader public release. Following current deployment trajectories, it is expected to take a few weeks of stable performance monitoring within the preview channel before Google pushes the 3.79 update out to the general production channel for all remaining consumer devices. As the smart home ecosystem continues to shift toward more advanced conversational paradigms and tighter device integration, updates of this magnitude underscore Google’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and optimizing its legacy hardware installations across millions of households worldwide.