technology
Google Home Speaker Offers $99 Audio With Gemini Features
The device features three microphones, touch controls, and a mesh body in four colors. Initial tests showed reliable wake-word response and solid sound quality for its size.
The VergeAudio version
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The Google Home Speaker went on sale at $99 with three microphones and a mesh body available in four colors. The Verge reported that the speaker responded to the wake word “Hey, Google” at full volume in every instance during two days of testing except when stage-whispered from another room. The same tests found the device understood commands from a shower when placed in a bathroom.
The speaker has no visible buttons. Tapping the sides raises or lowers volume while tapping the top pauses or plays audio. A light ring underneath the unit glows when Gemini listens or responds. It connects through a white USB-C cable and supports Google Cast streaming.
Multiple units can be grouped for synchronized playback or paired with a Google TV Streamer for television audio. Setup took less than 10 minutes from unboxing to Wi-Fi connection. The integrated 1.5-meter USB-C cable uses a detachable 30W power brick.
The Verge reported that Google had not released a dedicated smart speaker in six years before this model. The publication noted the device produced richer bass than some comparably sized Bluetooth speakers while remaining cleaner and louder than the Amazon Echo Dot Max.
