Google built a great smart speaker, but Gemini isn’t ready for it

2026-07-01 · Source: The Verge · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT) & Connected Devices, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, long

Summary

The new Google Home Speaker, priced at \$99.99, marks Google's first smart speaker release in six years, designed as a "built for Gemini" device. As hardware, it's a well-designed, compact speaker (3.4 inches high x 4.2 inches diameter) available in jade, berry, hazel, and porcelain, offering 360-degree sound from a 58 mm full-range driver. It supports stereo pairing and can act as an audio output for a Google TV Streamer, providing an upgrade over TV speakers. Equipped with three far-field microphones, a Quad Core A55 2.0 GHz processor with NPU, 1GB memory, 4GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and functioning as a Matter controller and Thread 1.3 border router, it demonstrates strong hardware capabilities. However, the integrated Gemini for Home assistant, while offering natural conversational control and improved general knowledge over Google Assistant, is criticized for being slow, unreliable, and prone to confidently wrong answers or hallucinations. Some advanced features like Gemini Live and smart home automation creation are locked behind a \$10/month Standard or \$20/month Advanced Google Home Premium subscription.

Key takeaway

For AI Product Managers evaluating smart home assistant integration, you should prioritize AI reliability and speed over advanced conversational capabilities. While the Google Home Speaker offers excellent hardware, Gemini for Home's current slowness, unreliability, and subscription-gated features undermine its utility. Consider user frustration with confidently wrong AI responses and the impact of paywalls on core smart home functions.

Key insights

The Google Home Speaker excels in hardware design and sound, but its Gemini for Home AI assistant is currently underperforming and unreliable.

Principles

• Smart speaker hardware can be aesthetically pleasing and acoustically competent.
• AI assistants must prioritize reliability and accuracy in home environments.
• Subscription models for core AI features can hinder user adoption.

Method

The article describes testing the Google Home Speaker by evaluating its hardware design, sound quality (including stereo pairing and Google TV Streamer integration), microphone responsiveness, and the performance of Gemini for Home across various smart home commands and general knowledge queries.

In practice

• Pair two Home Speakers for enhanced stereo sound.
• Use Home Speaker as a Matter controller for smart devices.
• Turn off activity light in settings for dark rooms.

Topics

• Smart Speakers
• Google Home Speaker
• Gemini for Home
• AI Assistants
• Matter Controller
• Thread Border Router
• Smart Home Integration

Best for: General Interest, AI Product Manager

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• Google bets on Gemini to reinvent the smart home speaker — Gemini AI enables smart speakers to process natural, multistep, and corrective language for enhanced home control and conversational interaction.

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The Verge.