Google's new Home Speaker, its first dedicated smart speaker in six years, earns praise for responsive voice control and sleek design. In testing, the device's three microphones consistently caught wake words even with music at full volume, outperforming rivals like Siri in noisy environments. Available in four colors, the speaker serves as the primary hardware platform for Google's Gemini assistant.
The speaker arrives as Google pivots its smart home strategy around the Gemini AI ecosystem, which is expected to power interactions for the next half decade. Reviewers note the update is modest but positions the device to lead its category again. However, Wired reports that certain capabilities now sit behind a paywall, marking a shift from the company's previous all-free approach to assistant features.
Voice recognition remains a standout: the speaker quickly ducked audio to listen for commands and rarely missed a prompt, even from another room. Priced competitively, it matches or exceeds key rivals on core functionality. But the paywalled features may frustrate users accustomed to full access without subscription fees.
Analysts suggest the subscription model could generate recurring revenue but risks alienating budget-conscious consumers. The device's long-term success will hinge on whether Gemini's premium features justify the extra cost compared to alternatives from Amazon and Apple. Early adopters will weigh the improved hardware against the new financial commitment.
Some early previews note the speaker's finicky setup process, though day-to-day reliability is strong. The true test will come as more households integrate Gemini into their routines.