Google Home Opens to Third Party Agents
Google announced Home MCP, a new capability that lets AI agents such as Antigravity, Claude, Hermes, and OpenClaw interact with devices in the Google Home ecosystem through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). The feature enables cross-camera analysis, smart home activity summaries, device management, custom dashboard creation, and voice notifications through Google Home speakers. Google says Home MCP includes safety protections and blocks sensitive actions like unlocking doors. It is rolling out to Google Home Premium Advanced users in the U.S. with English-language support.
The Circana Take:
- Home MCP gives AI assistants direct access to real-world smart home data and controls, moving them beyond simple chat interfaces into proactive home management.
- For users of Google Home, this means AI assistants can go beyond basic commands and gain a deeper understanding of what is happening in the home. They could summarize camera activity, track device usage, create custom dashboards, and manage connected devices through natural language, making smart homes more proactive, personalized, and automated.
Brilliant Launches a Subscription Service
Brilliant NextGen has launched Brilliant Max, a subscription service that transforms its smart home platform into a managed automation experience. The service includes pre-configured modes such as Away and Vacation, ongoing system optimization, premium support, and bundled sensors to simplify smart home management. The offering also creates a recurring revenue opportunity for installers and reflects a broader industry shift toward subscription-based smart home services rather than one-time hardware sales.
The Circana Take:
- Brilliant’s service reflects the smart home industry’s shift from selling standalone devices to delivering ongoing, managed services. Brilliant NextGen is positioning automation as a subscription, reducing complexity for consumers while creating recurring revenue for installers.
- Unlike large tech firms, Brilliant lacks a broader ecosystem to subsidize smart home services. By charging for managed automation, Brilliant is testing whether consumers will pay directly for convenience and automation.