Google introduced the Google Home Speaker on June 17, 2026, its first stand-alone smart speaker since the Nest Audio in September 2020. Priced at $99.99, the device is built specifically around Google’s Gemini AI and marks a significant departure from the rigid, command-based interactions of the Google Assistant era.
The speaker accepts natural language requests, including multistep instructions such as “dim the kitchen lights, play some relaxing music, and set a timer for 20 minutes.” Users can also correct themselves mid-sentence — saying something like “Turn off the coffee maker … I mean, turn it on!” — and Gemini will respond accordingly. A “Continued Conversation” feature keeps the microphone active briefly after a response, allowing follow-up questions without repeating the “OK, Google” wake phrase.
The device ships with 10 new voices capable of two-way conversations on topics beyond smart home controls, similar to Gemini interactions available on smartphones. Its design retains the 3D-knit textile wrap and rounded 3.4 x 4.2-inch form factor of earlier models. A new ring light indicates whether the speaker is listening, thinking, or responding. In the U.S., it is available in Jade and Berry colors, with Hazel and Porcelain offered elsewhere.
Not all features are included at no cost. Google is offering a Home Premium subscription at $10 per month or $100 per year, which unlocks Gemini Live conversations and the ability to query and summarize footage from Nest cameras. To encourage adoption, Google will provide these premium features free for six months before requiring a subscription.
The Google Home Speaker is available for preorder and is set to ship later in June 2026. Whether the premium tier will attract paying subscribers remains an open question, given that many of the device’s Gemini features are accessible without a subscription.
Source: TechCrunch