Ten months later, the $100 Google Home Speaker is finally available for preorder

After a significant delay, Google is set to launch its new Home Speaker on June 25th, priced at $100. This device marks Google's first new smart home speaker in almost six years, following the Nest Audio's debut in 2020. The new speaker is small and round, covered in a partially recycled fabric available in four colors. It promises "360-degree sound" for a consistent listening experience.

The Google Home Speaker features a distinctive light ring at the bottom that illuminates when the device is actively listening, processing, or responding, a trend Google is extending to other products like its upcoming Googlebook laptops. It includes three far-field microphones for voice pickup and a mute switch for privacy. Internally, it's powered by a quad-core A55-based processor with a dedicated NPU, enabling local AI models for superior sound isolation and background noise filtering.

While the new speaker offers advanced AI features and enhanced sound isolation, its audio quality might not surpass that of its predecessors. The Google Home Speaker utilizes a single 58 mm full-range driver, a reduction from the Nest Audio's 75 mm woofer and 19 mm tweeter. Google indicates that the audio performance will fall between the Nest Audio and the more compact Nest Mini.

Beyond basic smart speaker functions, the Google Home Speaker offers unique integration capabilities. Users can pair up to two Home Speakers with a Google TV Streamer for an "Immersive" audio setup, and it seamlessly connects with other Nest speakers and displays on the same network. Additionally, purchasing the speaker includes six months of Google Home Premium, providing access to various AI features within the Home app and enabling Gemini Live for interactive AI conversations, though Gemini is also available on older Google speakers.