"The somewhat delayed timing of the launch is an intentional choice on Google's part, explained Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer at Google Home and Nest, in a press briefing ahead of Wednesday's event. The company first wants to ensure the new Gemini functionality reaches its other Google Home customers on older devices and gives them time to work out the kinks. Those existing customers will be able to try out Gemini in Early Access, offer feedback, and report bugs, he says."
"In terms of its speaker capabilities, the Google Home device will offer 360-degree audio and the ability to add the device to speaker groups - collections of multiple speakers that play audio simultaneously - in the Google Home app, as before. Users will also now be able to pair two Google Home speakers with a Google TV Streamer - Google's streaming device for TVs"
"Being built for Gemini means the new speaker will have a processor capable of handling Gemini AI, which will also handle things like background noise suppression, reverb (echo effects), and echo cancellation. That way, the speaker won't (in theory) get confused if you're talking to Gemini Live and someone else who's further away in the room begins to speak."
Google plans to release a $99 Google Home speaker in spring 2026 built around Gemini AI, available in Porcelain, Hazel, Berry, and Jade. Google intentionally delayed the hardware launch to roll out Gemini functionality to existing Google Home devices, allow Early Access for feedback and bug reports, and avoid forcing upgrades. The speaker includes a processor to run Gemini for background noise suppression, reverb and echo cancellation, a light ring for expressive visual feedback, 360-degree audio, speaker grouping, and the ability to pair two speakers with a Google TV Streamer. Gemini Live requires a Google Home Premium subscription.
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