Google has unveiled the Google Home Speaker, its first standalone audio device in six years and its first built entirely around the Gemini AI assistant, priced at $99.99 and available for preorder now, with shipping expected later this summer.
The device represents a significant shift from Google’s earlier Nest Audio speaker, which relied on the legacy Google Assistant. The Home Speaker is designed entirely around Gemini, allowing for natural, conversational exchanges without the need for strict command wording. Users can make multi-step requests, revise what they are saying mid-sentence, and ask follow-up questions, features that previous Google speakers were not consistently capable of supporting.
Ten new voice options are available, supporting open-ended two-way dialogue that extends beyond smart home controls into general conversation, information retrieval, and task management.
The Subscription Tier
Not all Gemini features are included in the base $99.99 purchase price. More advanced capabilities, including Gemini Live, which enables extended back-and-forth conversations, and Nest camera activity summaries that let the speaker narrate what is happening across a home's security cameras, will sit behind a Google Home Premium subscription priced at $10 per month.
To drive adoption of the subscription, Google is offering a six-month free trial bundled with the speaker purchase. After the trial period, users who want continued access to the advanced features will need to pay the monthly fee.
Google has equipped the new Home Speaker with upgraded hardware and connectivity, delivering faster performance and improved sound quality over its predecessors.
Processor: Quad-core A55 2.0 GHz with a dedicated NPU for on-device AI tasks
Memory: 1GB LPDDR4 RAM
Storage: 4GB internal storage
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster, more stable wireless connections
Audio: 58 mm full-range driver with 2x larger driver and 2.5x stronger bass than the Nest Mini.
The launch signals Google's push to make Gemini the AI backbone of its entire hardware ecosystem, including smart home devices. It also reflects a broader industry trend of pairing affordable hardware with paid AI subscriptions. The Google Home Speaker is available for preorder now, with shipping expected later this summer. Pricing for markets outside the US has not yet been announced.