Google Home stopped getting updates in 2021. If you’re still using one, you’re running software that hasn’t changed in over four years. The device didn’t fail-it was quietly retired. But what took its place? The answer isn’t one product. It’s a whole new ecosystem built around voice, AI, and seamless control-and it’s better than what came before.
Google Nest replaced Google Home
Google didn’t just rename Google Home. They rebuilt it. In 2020, they launched the first Google Nest devices: the Nest Mini, Nest Audio, and Nest Hub. These weren’t upgrades-they were redesigns from the ground up. The Nest Mini, for example, dropped the old spherical shape for a compact, fabric-covered cylinder. It’s quieter, has better mic pickup, and uses Google’s newer AI chip to process voice commands locally before sending data to the cloud.
By 2023, Google stopped selling all Google Home models. The Nest line became the only option. Today, if you buy a new Google voice assistant device, you’re buying a Nest. The Nest Hub Max, with its 10-inch touchscreen and built-in camera, now handles video calls, security monitoring, and smart home dashboards. It’s not just a speaker-it’s your home’s command center.
Amazon Echo took over the mid-tier market
While Google shifted to Nest, Amazon kept pushing Echo. The Echo Dot (5th gen) and Echo Show 8 became the most popular smart speakers in the U.S. in 2024, according to Statista. Why? Price, compatibility, and Alexa’s deep integration with third-party devices.
Amazon’s Echo devices work with over 200,000 smart home products-from Philips Hue lights to Yale locks. Alexa can turn on your coffee maker, check your fridge inventory, and even order toilet paper when you’re low. In 2025, Amazon added a new feature called Adaptive Voice, which learns your speech patterns and adjusts responses based on time of day, mood, and routine. If you’re usually grumpy in the morning, Alexa gives you shorter answers. If you ask for the weather while making coffee, it adds traffic updates.
For people who don’t care about Google’s ecosystem, Echo is the default choice. It’s cheaper, works with more brands, and doesn’t require a Google account to function.
Apple HomePod is the premium alternative
If you own an iPhone, Apple HomePod (2nd gen) is the most seamless smart speaker you can buy. It doesn’t try to be everything. It focuses on sound quality, privacy, and integration with Apple’s ecosystem.
The HomePod uses spatial audio and machine learning to adjust its sound based on where it’s placed in the room. It also works as a HomeKit hub-meaning you can control your smart lights, locks, and thermostats even when you’re away from home. Siri on the HomePod doesn’t just answer questions. It remembers your habits. If you always ask for the news at 7 a.m., it starts playing automatically.
Unlike Google and Amazon, Apple doesn’t use your voice data to target ads. All processing happens on-device unless you opt in to cloud analysis. That’s a big reason why privacy-focused users switched from Google Home to HomePod.
Smart displays are now the standard
People don’t just want to talk to their devices anymore. They want to see them. In 2025, 78% of new smart home buyers chose a device with a screen, according to a survey by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.
The Nest Hub (2nd gen) and Echo Show 10 are the leaders here. Both use AI-powered cameras to follow you around the room. If you walk into the kitchen and ask for a recipe, the screen rotates to face you. If you’re in the living room and ask for the weather, it shows a live radar map. The Nest Hub also integrates with Google’s AI assistant, Gemini, which can explain how to fix a leaky faucet or suggest a playlist based on your mood.
These screens aren’t just for entertainment. They’re used for video calls, checking security camera feeds, controlling thermostats, and even monitoring elderly family members. Many users now treat their smart display as a digital photo frame, calendar, and control panel-all in one.
Multi-brand hubs are rising
Not everyone wants to pick a side. That’s why hubs like the Samsung SmartThings Hub and the Home Assistant Yellow are growing fast. These don’t rely on Google, Amazon, or Apple. Instead, they connect everything-Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Matter-and let you control it all through one app.
The Home Assistant Yellow, released in late 2024, is a $129 device that runs open-source software. It doesn’t need the cloud. All your data stays on your home network. It’s popular with tech-savvy users who want full control and hate being locked into one company’s ecosystem.
These hubs are perfect if you have a mix of devices: Philips Hue lights, a Nest thermostat, a Ring doorbell, and a Samsung fridge. Instead of juggling five apps, you control everything from one dashboard.
What to buy in 2025
Here’s what to get based on your needs:
- Best overall: Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) - great screen, strong AI, works with most smart devices.
- Best for Apple users: Apple HomePod (2nd gen) - unbeatable sound, tight iPhone integration, private by design.
- Best budget: Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) - cheap, reliable, works with tons of gadgets.
- Best for privacy: Home Assistant Yellow - runs locally, no cloud, no ads, no tracking.
- Best for video calls: Nest Hub Max - large screen, HD camera, Google Meet built in.
Google Home is gone. But what replaced it isn’t just another speaker. It’s a smarter, more visual, more personal experience. The real upgrade isn’t the hardware-it’s how these devices understand you.
Can I still use my old Google Home device?
Yes, but only for basic functions. Google Home devices still work for voice commands and controlling smart devices you already have. But they no longer receive software updates, security patches, or new features. Google stopped supporting them in 2021. If you rely on voice routines, timers, or multi-room audio, you’ll notice delays or missing features. It’s not broken-it’s outdated.
Do I need to replace my Google Home with a Nest device?
No, but you’ll miss out on improvements. Nest devices have better microphones, faster response times, and AI features like voice match and ambient mode. If you want to use Google’s latest assistant (Gemini), you need a Nest device. Older Google Home units can’t run the new software. Replacing it isn’t required, but it’s the only way to get the full experience.
Is Alexa better than Google Assistant?
It depends on what you want. Alexa supports more smart home devices-over 200,000 compared to Google’s 100,000+. But Google Assistant understands natural language better. If you say, “What’s the weather going to be like this weekend?” Google responds with a detailed forecast. Alexa might just say, “It’s sunny on Saturday.” Google also integrates better with calendars, emails, and Google Maps. Alexa wins on compatibility. Google wins on smarts.
Can I use Google Nest and Amazon Echo together?
Yes, but not seamlessly. You can link both to your home Wi-Fi and use them in different rooms. But you can’t combine their assistants. Saying “Hey Google, turn on the lights” won’t work if your lights are controlled by Alexa. You’d need to say “Alexa, turn on the lights” instead. For true multi-brand control, use a hub like Home Assistant or Samsung SmartThings to bridge them.
What’s the difference between Nest Mini and Nest Audio?
The Nest Mini is small, quiet, and designed for kitchens and bedrooms. It’s good for alarms, timers, and quick questions. The Nest Audio is bigger, with a 75mm driver and better bass. It plays music louder and clearer. If you listen to podcasts or music often, go for Nest Audio. If you just need voice help, the Mini is enough.
Are smart displays worth it?
Yes-if you use them. People who use the screen for recipes, video calls, or security checks get more value than those who just use them as speakers. A screen turns a voice assistant into a control center. You can see your calendar, check your doorbell feed, or follow a workout video without touching your phone. If you’re always looking at your phone anyway, a smart display saves time.
What’s next?
The future of smart home assistants isn’t just about voice. It’s about anticipation. New devices in 2025 use sensors to detect when you’re tired, stressed, or hungry-and respond before you ask. A Nest Hub might dim the lights and play calming music when it notices you’ve been sitting at your desk for three hours. An Echo might suggest ordering groceries when it sees your fridge is low.
Google, Amazon, and Apple aren’t just selling speakers anymore. They’re selling intuition. And if you’re still using a 2017 Google Home, you’re not just behind-you’re missing the next step entirely.
