Google Releases Gemini-Powered Home Speaker After Six Years
Original: The Gemini-Powered Google Home Speaker Is Finally Here
Why This Matters
Marks Google's major AI assistant transition in consumer hardware; signals competitive response in smart speaker market dominated by Amazon and Apple.
Google launched its first dedicated smart speaker in six years on June 25, 2026, featuring the Gemini AI assistant instead of Google Assistant. Priced at $100, the device supports natural conversation, multi-step commands, and Gemini Live for premium subscribers.
Google announced preorders for the new Google Home Speaker starting June 17, 2026, with official sales beginning June 25. The device marks the company's first dedicated smart speaker release since 2020 during the pandemic. Available in four colors—Berry, Jade, Hazel, and Porcelain (with Berry and Jade exclusive to the US)—the speaker was redesigned to showcase Gemini, Google's advanced AI assistant. The device was originally announced in fall 2025 with a promised spring 2026 launch. Gemini offers significant improvements over the previous Google Assistant, understanding natural conversation without requiring rigid command structures. Users can rephrase questions mid-sentence, string multiple commands together, and ask follow-up questions within a brief window without repeating the wake phrase. The Continued Conversation feature, previously available only in English on Assistant-powered speakers, now supports all supported languages. Integration with security cameras allows users to ask specific questions like "Did FedEx drop a package today?" The speaker offers 10 voice options and Gemini Live capability—enabling continuous back-and-forth conversations by saying "Hey Google, let's talk"—though this feature requires a Google Home Premium subscription and is limited to newer devices.