On Wednesday, Google provided an early preview of its next flagship smart home device, the AI-powered Google Home speaker, which will be released in spring 2026. The $99 price will be built around the company’s AI assistant Gemini AI, and will be available in four colors: porcelain, Hazel, Berry and Jade.
The slightly delayed timing of launch was a deliberate choice for Google, and Anish Kattukaran, chief product officer of Google Home and Nest, explained at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s event.
The company wants to first ensure that the new Gemini feature will allow time to reach other Google Home customers on older devices and resolve kinks. These existing customers can try Gemini in early access, provide feedback and report bugs, he says.
“You have to work for existing users. You don’t want new users to buy new users unless you want them,” Kathukaran said. “And by the way, we may want to do it, but you don’t need to,” he added.
Built for Gemini, it means that the new speakers have a processor that can handle Gemini AI. This also handles background noise suppression, reverb (echo effect), echo cancellation, and more. That way, if you are talking to Gemini Live, the speaker will not be confused (in theory) if someone else far away in the room begins to speak.
The new device also has a bright ring that provides more expressive visual feedback on what Gemini is doing, such as listening, thinking, reasoning and responding in Gemini’s live mode. (Gemini Live requires a Google Home Premium subscription.)
From a speaker functionality perspective, Google Home devices offer 360-degree audio and the ability to add devices to speaker groups (a collection of multiple speakers that play audio simultaneously) in the Google Home app, just like before. Users can now pair two Google Home speakers with Google TV streamers (Google TV streaming devices). This is something users have requested for a long time.
TechCrunch Events
San Francisco
|
October 27th-29th, 2025
The device is covered in 3D editing materials that are said to reduce fabric waste and are more environmentally friendly.
Google plans to launch new devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, Australia and New Zealand in the spring of 2026.
