Google Home Speaker arrives with Gemini for Home, but it requires a subscription to get the best features

After multiple leaks, Google has finally announced a new smart speaker called the Google Home Speaker. The new speaker is the first to launch with Gemini for Home, the built-in AI assistant that replaces the Google Assistant.

The Google Home Speaker has a design that looks nothing like Google's previous smart speakers. It has an almost spherical design but with a flat top and base. The wired speaker has a ring light at the bottom that glows when the speaker is listening or speaking. There's also a microphone mute button at the bottom.

Google says the speaker is made from 39% recycled materials and then wrapped in an innovative yarn. The yarn is constructed using a unique 3D knitting process that significantly reduces fabric waste. The Google Home Speaker is available in Jade, Berry, Pocelain, and Hazel.

Its shape allows it to deliver 360° audio, and Google says users can pair two speakers together for a stereo setup. They can also pair the speaker with the Google Home Streamer for a theater-like experience with spatial surround-sound audio. It can also be grouped with older Home and Nest speakers.

Like Google's previous smart speakers, the Google Home Speaker will be able to answer questions; stream audiobooks, playlists, and podcasts; and broadcast messages throughout the home. However, a Google Home Premium subscription (standard or advanced) unlocks more features such as Gemini Live. 

With Gemini Live, users will be able to have conversations with the Google Home Speaker just as they would do with a friend. Like its previous smart speakers powered by the Google Assistant, the wake word is ‘Hey Google’, however, users don't have to keep saying it before every question or command. It is even possible to interrupt it mid-sentence, change topics, and ask follow-up questions.

A standard subscription, which costs $10/month or $100/year, also includes home automation and sound detection such as smoke/carbon monoxide alarm or glass breaking, in addition to Gemini Live. On the other hand, an advanced subscription, which costs $40/month or $200 per year, adds the ability to ask for daily summaries of what happened when away from home and the ability to search your camera history by just asking the speaker. 

The Google Home Speaker will be released next spring for $99.99 and will be available in several regions including the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. It will come with a free 6-month subscription of Google Home Standard.