New Google Home Speaker, built for Gemini

We look at the new Google Home Speaker, see more about it here. 

Google Home Speaker reviewed

First up, the device looks great, especially in the colours available once the product is on sale. There was definitely some sadness that those colours were in the review samples, but hey, sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

If you are okay with a third party knowing everything and anything about your life, then this device will then bring you the functionality and ease that many have come to love at AI enabled chat devices in their homes. As more smart devices come into our homes then there is the scope for more and wider voice led interactions between them all. The user manual provides a lot of good multi step actions that you could use it to do for you.

As a speaker, it is small, compact, competitively priced and will do a lot of things well. If you are doubling down on the AI enabled side of things, then you will need to factor in that some of the cooler, sexier, more useful features may well be in the higher level of, extra subscription, paid for options. Therefore, while the price of the device is good, if you want all the bells and whistles, the cost per year will quickly double. As we said, horses for courses, and it will depend on how much functionality you are looking for here. Well made, nice looking, good sound, beyond that, you will need to think about the rest of the options carefully.

Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about the Google Home Speaker

Meet the new Google Home Speaker, built for Gemini

The Google Home Speaker comes with Gemini for Home voice assistant, which features advanced natural language understanding and reasoning. Instead of having to memorize rigid command phrases, Gemini adapts to how you speak, making it easier and more intuitive to get the help you need.

Natural and Expressive voices: Gemini ships with 10 new natural sounding voices designed to complement the vast new ways that you can interact with your voice assistant. Pick the voice that’s right for your home.
Say what you want: Use logic in your requests and Gemini will make it happen. “Turn off all the lights except for my bedside lamp.”
Get more done in one breath: Save time by giving multiple commands at once. “Dim the kitchen lights, play some relaxing music and set a timer for 20 minutes.”

Make easy corrections: There’s no pressure to say the correct prompt first. Just correct yourself mid-sentence and Gemini will understand. “Turn off the coffee maker…I meant turn it on!”
Ask complex questions: Gemini reasons through multiple steps to answer nuanced questions. For instance, if you ask, “What’s the weather going to be like for the next baseball game?” Gemini intelligently figures out when the game is, where it’s located and what the weather will be like at game time to deliver you a precise answer.

Get more done with two-way conversations: Gemini has conversational context (a “short-term memory”), so it follows the thread of your discussion enabling real back-and-forth interactions. Ask follow-up questions to dive deep on a topic or string together multiple tasks. No need to re-specify context. Gemini will follow along. And, with Continued Conversation, the microphone stays open briefly after a response so you can ask follow-up questions without repeating “Ok Google.” Continued Conversation is now available for the first time in all supported languages. Accomplish more with intuitive, multi-step conversations:

You can now pre-order the new Google Home Speaker with units hitting shelves on June 25. This device features Gemini for Home, allowing for natural, multi-step conversations and more intuitive control over your smart home. You can also pair it with your Google TV Streamer for an enhanced audio experience or subscribe to Google Home Premium for advanced AI features like camera history search.

Unlock more AI capabilities with Google Home Premium

Gemini Live: Say, “Hey Google, let’s chat” to have natural, free-flowing chats where you can brainstorm, change topics and interrupt.

Camera History Search: Ask your speaker to describe current or recent activity captured on your Nest cams: “Hey Google, is my back gate open?” You can also ask about familiar faces or pets: “Hey Google, did Rover go on the couch today?”

Home Briefs: Whether you’re away for the weekend or just the afternoon, ask Gemini for a summary of what happened around the house while you were out.

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