Key facts
- Google's new Home Speaker will launch on June 25.
- The device will cost $99.99.
- It features 360-degree sound and a light ring.
- The speaker utilizes local AI models for improved noise filtering.
- Capacitive touch controls are available on the top for media playback.
Google has announced that its new Home Speaker, powered by Gemini AI, will be released on June 25 and will be available for preorder for $99.99. This marks Google's first new smart home speaker in years, with the last model, the Nest Audio, debuting in September 2020.
The compact, round speaker is covered in fabric made from partially recycled materials and comes in four colors: hazel, porcelain, jade, and berry. Google states that the device delivers "360-degree sound" for a consistent listening experience throughout a room. The speaker incorporates a light ring around its base that illuminates when the device is active or responding, a design trend also seen in upcoming Googlebook laptops.
Equipped with three far-field microphones, the Google Home Speaker is designed to pick up voice commands effectively. It also includes a physical mute switch for privacy. Internally, the device features a quad-core A55-based processor running at 2GHz, complemented by a dedicated NPU. This setup enables the execution of local AI models, which Google claims will improve sound isolation and background noise filtering compared to previous smart speakers, potentially reducing mishearings.