New Google Home Speaker Brings Gemini, Paywalled Features
Google's first smart speaker in six years, the Google Home Speaker, is here with the Gemini assistant and a $100 price tag, but some advanced features require a subscription.
After a six-year hiatus, Google has unveiled a new smart speaker: the Google Home Speaker. It marks the company's first such device since the original Google Home and adopts a design similar to the HomePod Mini—short and round. However, Google adds its own touch with vibrant colors like Jade and Berry, though these are exclusive to the US; other regions get Hazel and Porcelain.
The speaker is built around Google Gemini instead of the older Google Assistant. Gemini is smarter, sounds more human, and handles multiple commands in one breath. It can also correct misunderstood queries. Yet, some of the best features are behind a paywall. The Google Home Premium subscription ($10/month) includes 30-day event history, intelligent alerts, and Gemini Live. The Advanced tier ($20/month) adds 24/7 video history and daily summaries.
Sound quality is impressive for its size. In testing, it performed similarly to the Amazon Echo Dot Max, with clear music reproduction. One key difference: when asked to play "Fast Car," Google asked which version, while Alexa assumed the newer one. The speaker also serves as a Matter hub, compatible with most smart-home devices.
Overall, the Google Home Speaker is a capable device, especially for its $100 price. The paywalled features may disappoint some users, but the Gemini integration and design make it a strong contender in the smart speaker market.
