Google launches a brand new smart speaker, "Google Home Speaker," after 6 years! Fully integrated with Gemini, priced at 100 dollars to compete with Apple

Google After six years finally launches the all-new smart speaker "Google Home Speaker."
This new device priced at $100 abandons the old Google Assistant, fully integrating the Gemini AI assistant from the ground up, emphasizing smooth natural continuous conversations and hardware mute buttons for privacy protection, marking the official entry of smart home into the generative AI era.
(Background recap: AI giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind will attend the G7 summit)
(Additional background: Google launches Android 17: but the AI trump card Gemini Intelligence has to wait until summer and is very selective about phones)

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• Spherical design upgrades sound quality, reshaping hardware privacy defenses
• Gemini empowers natural conversations, saying goodbye to stiff single commands
• Subscription models become the future battlefield, smart home wars heat up again

With the rapid proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, tech giants are racing to bring this wave into consumers' living rooms. According to the latest report by WIRED on June 17, 2026, Google has officially released its first dedicated smart speaker in six years — the all-new "Google Home Speaker."

This device completely abandons the previous Google Assistant, tailored from hardware to software for its most powerful Gemini AI model, priced at $100 (about 3,200 New Taiwan Dollars), now available for pre-order, with official release scheduled for June 25.

Spherical design upgrades sound quality, reshaping hardware privacy defenses

This new Google Home Speaker features a smooth "orb" design, similar in appearance to Amazon's new generation Echo and Apple's HomePod Mini, providing balanced 360-degree surround sound. Although smaller than the previous Nest Audio, its internal driver size has doubled, delivering stronger bass performance; it can also seamlessly pair with Google TV Streamer to create an immersive home theater experience.

In terms of connectivity and interaction, the device fully supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, as well as the latest smart home standards Thread and Matter. Google emphasizes visual and privacy feedback: a glowing LED ring at the bottom clearly indicates whether Gemini is listening or processing commands; additionally, the top is equipped with three far-field microphones and a "hardware mute switch," thoroughly eliminating user privacy concerns about AI always listening. Four attractive color options are available: Porcelain, Hazel, and exclusive to the US, Jade and Berry.

Gemini empowers natural conversations, saying goodbye to stiff single commands

While hardware upgrades are eye-catching, the true soul lies in its built-in Gemini AI assistant. Reports indicate that although the wake word remains the familiar "Hey Google," its natural language understanding has achieved an epic evolution. Users no longer need to memorize rigid commands; they can even correct or rephrase mid-sentence, and Gemini will accurately capture the true intent. Moreover, its powerful parallel processing allows users to issue multiple complex commands at once (e.g., "Turn off all the lights except the bedside lamp"), and the introduction of local models significantly improves background noise filtering.

For users seeking more advanced experiences, Google also introduces "Gemini Live" continuous conversation mode. Just say "Hey Google, let’s talk," to engage in a natural, human-like chat with AI, without needing to repeat the wake word each time. This feature supports direct inquiries about home security camera status (e.g., "Did I get a package today?") and offers 10 different natural voice options for users to choose from.

Subscription models become the future battlefield, smart home wars heat up again

It’s worth noting that high-end features like Gemini Live will be tied to Google Home Premium subscription services in the future (new device purchases include 6 months free trial). This subscription offers advanced natural language automation settings, 30-day event video history, and smart notifications, indicating Google’s attempt to expand revenue through AI software services within its hardware ecosystem.

According to official statistics, over 3.5 million households have activated the Gemini version of Google Home, with user interactions with AI doubling that of the old Assistant. As Apple is expected to launch a new generation of smart speakers with upgraded Siri later this year, and Amazon’s Alexa+ gradually rolls out globally, this AI-driven smart home battle has undoubtedly entered a fiercely competitive new stage.