Google has announced the next generation of its smart speakers, introducing the Google Home Speaker, which runs on the company’s Gemini AI platform. While the hardware has been officially revealed, consumers won’t be able to purchase it until spring 2026, as Google focuses first on bringing Gemini to its current lineup of smart devices.
A shift from Nest to Home branding
Unlike its predecessors, the new model drops the “Nest” label and adopts the Home branding. It delivers 360-degree sound, designed for placement in the center of a room rather than against a wall, and includes a colorful RGB light ring at its base to accompany voice interactions. A physical microphone mute switch is also included for privacy control.
Designed for flexibility and entertainment
The speaker can operate as a standalone device, or be paired with the Google TV Streamer to enhance home theater setups. Two Home Speakers can also be paired together for stereo sound, with the option to link them with the TV Streamer for an immersive surround-sound experience. The device continues to support multi-room audio when grouped with existing Google and Nest speakers.
Gemini integration
The highlight feature is Gemini, Google’s conversational AI assistant, offering more natural and fluid back-and-forth dialogue than previous voice assistants. With Gemini Live, the speaker is expected to deliver quicker responses thanks to custom on-device processing. Importantly, new hardware isn’t required to experience Gemini — it will also be made available on older speakers and smart displays.
Specs, pricing, and availability
The Google Home Speaker will retail for $99 and come in Porcelain, Hazel, Jade, and Berry color options. However, it won’t be available until spring 2026. The delay, according to Google, is intentional — the company wants to prioritize updating its large base of existing devices with Gemini before rolling out the new model.
Currently, Google’s smart speaker lineup includes the Nest Mini (2019), Nest Audio (2020), and smart displays such as the Nest Hub Max (2019) and Nest Hub 2nd Gen (2021). The new Home Speaker represents the first major hardware refresh in years, but users eager to try Gemini on new hardware will need to wait.
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