New Google Home Speaker Brings AI Conversations to Smart Homes
News Desk
22 June 2026, 12:07
Google has unveiled its new Google Home Speaker, the company's first smart speaker built around Gemini AI. Priced at $99.99, the device launches on June 25 and signals Google's biggest shift in smart home technology in years.
The new speaker replaces Google Assistant with Gemini for Home, allowing users to interact using natural language instead of relying on rigid voice commands. Google says users can make complex requests, ask follow-up questions, and even correct themselves mid-conversation without restarting commands.
A major addition is Gemini Live, which enables more fluid and contextual conversations. However, access to Gemini Live will require a Google Home Premium subscription after an introductory trial period.
The device is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor and includes a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) designed to handle parts of Gemini's AI processing directly on the device. Google says this reduces response times and limits the amount of data sent to the cloud for routine interactions.
The speaker comes with 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. On-device AI also supports features such as background noise suppression, acoustic echo cancellation, and voice recognition for multiple users.
Audio remains a key focus. The Google Home Speaker features a 58mm full-range driver with 360-degree sound output and three far-field microphones for voice detection across a room. A new illuminated light ring indicates when Gemini is listening, processing, or responding.
For smart home users, the speaker functions as both a Matter-certified controller and a Thread 1.3 border router. This enables compatibility with a wide range of smart home products across different ecosystems.
Google is also positioning the device as part of a broader entertainment setup. Users can pair two Google Home Speakers with a Google TV Streamer to create a stereo home theater experience.
While core features are included with the speaker, Google is introducing a subscription layer through Google Home Premium. The service costs $10 per month or $100 annually and unlocks Gemini Live, advanced Nest camera analysis, AI-generated home activity summaries, and contextual smart home insights.
Customers who pre-order the speaker will receive six months of Google Home Premium and three months of YouTube Premium.
The Google Home Speaker will be available in Porcelain and Hazel globally, while Jade and Berry color options will be exclusive to the United States.
With Gemini now at the center of its smart home strategy, Google is betting that conversational AI can revive interest in smart speakers and offer a stronger alternative to competing products from Amazon and other tech giants.
