Google has finally launched its latest smart speaker, priced at $100. It arrives after a long wait since the company first teased it last year.

This new speaker stands out with a clean, rounded design. It’s wrapped in recycled 3D-knit fabric and comes in four colors: Hazel, Porcelain, Jade, and Berry. The fabric gives it a soft, natural look that fits well in any room.

One big change is how it delivers sound. Instead of sending audio in one direction, it offers clear 360-degree sound. This means you get balanced, room-filling audio no matter where you sit. The speaker features a single 58mm driver, smaller than the Nest Audio’s woofer, but it promises stronger bass and a fuller experience.

Google also redesigned the light indicators. Instead of placing lights behind the fabric, it added a ring of LEDs around the base. This ring glows and pulses to show when the speaker is listening, thinking, or responding. It adds a modern touch and makes it easier to see what’s happening.

Gemini AI Powers Smarter Voice Control

The real star is Gemini, Google’s new AI assistant. It replaces the older Google Assistant on this device. Gemini understands more natural speech and can handle multiple commands in one request. For example, you can ask it to dim the lights, play music, and set a timer all at once.

Gemini also remembers context better. You won’t have to repeat yourself or say “Hey Google” as often. It can follow conversations more naturally, including mid-sentence corrections. This makes interactions feel smoother and less robotic.

To unlock Gemini’s full potential, Google offers a subscription called Google Home Premium. The standard plan costs $10 a month and adds “Gemini Live,” which lets you have free-flowing chats with the assistant. There’s also a $20 premium tier that includes extra features like AI-powered home security summaries and alerts from compatible cameras and devices.

Smart Home Integration and Extras

The new speaker pairs well with Google’s TV Streamer. You can connect two speakers to the streamer to create stereo sound for your shows and movies. This sets it apart from older Google speakers, which only connect via Bluetooth for TV audio.

Hardware-wise, the device packs a quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. It has three far-field microphones that adjust to your environment for better voice pickup. You can mute the mics with a two-stage switch and control playback via touch controls on top.

Google is positioning this speaker as a replacement for the Nest Mini. It’s smaller than the Nest Audio but offers a more capable assistant and improved sound. The company also dropped the “Nest” branding for this product, signaling a fresh start for its home speaker lineup.

The speaker is available to pre-order now for $99.99 in the US and £99 in the UK. It ships on June 25. Buyers get a six-month free trial of Google Home Premium, making it easier to try out the AI features before committing.

In short, this new Google Home speaker blends smart design, better sound, and a powerful AI assistant. If you want a smarter, more conversational speaker for your home, it’s worth a look.