Google home speaker with Gemini gets official release date; pre-orders now open

MUMBAI: Google has officially confirmed the launch details of its long-anticipated Google Home Speaker, marking the company’s latest step towards a more AI-driven smart home ecosystem. First teased during last year’s Pixel 10 launch event and later unveiled in October, the device is now available for pre-order ahead of its global release.

Release date, pricing and availability
The Google Home Speaker will officially launch on 25 June 2026, priced at $99.99. It will be available in four colour options: Jade, Berry, Porcelain and Hazel. Notably, Jade and Berry will be exclusive to the US market.

Pre-orders are now open via the Google Store, with shipments expected to begin shortly after launch.

Hardware and design
The speaker is powered by an unspecified quad-core processor based on Cortex-A55 cores, paired with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. It features a 58mm full-range driver designed to deliver omni-directional sound for more balanced room coverage.

For voice input, the device includes three far-field microphones alongside a dedicated hardware microphone mute switch for added privacy control.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, as well as support for acting as a Thread 1.3 border router, strengthening its role within smart home networks.

Google has also confirmed that up to two speakers can be paired with the Google TV Streamer, enabling a spatial surround sound setup for home entertainment.

Gemini-powered smart features
At the core of the new device is Gemini, which powers a significantly enhanced voice assistant experience.

The speaker introduces ten new natural-sounding voices, alongside Gemini Live, which enables more conversational, free-flowing interactions with the assistant.

Users will also be able to interact with their smart home in more advanced ways. For example, Gemini can:

Describe recent activity captured by Nest cameras

Summarise events that occurred around the home while the user was away

Respond to more complex, multi-step voice commands

Position in Google’s smart home strategy
The Google Home Speaker represents a significant step in Google’s shift towards AI-first hardware. By deeply integrating Gemini into its smart home ecosystem, Google is aiming to offer a more intelligent and conversational alternative to traditional voice assistants.

The launch also strengthens Google’s competition with Amazon and Apple in the rapidly evolving AI-powered smart home market.