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As much as I know this is big news, years of disappointment at Google (and Amazon's) smart speakers has left me a little jaded.
Google has finally announced its new smart speaker, which will unlock the power of Gemini instead of... whatever it was the original speaker offered, and it's hitting Aussie shelves next week.
The Google Home Speaker is the first audio device Google has built specifically around its Gemini for Home voice assistant. It goes on pre-order now for $199 and hits shelves on June 25 from the Google Store, JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman.
The core pitch is that you no longer need to memorise rigid command phrases.
Tell it to dim the lights and put on some relaxing music in a single sentence. You can ask follow-up questions without repeating "OK Google." If you correct yourself mid-sentence, Gemini promises to keep up.
The speaker also ships with Continued Conversation, where the microphone stays open briefly after a response so you can follow up naturally.
There's some bad news, though. Where the original Google Home speakers were just the hardware cost, this new model requires a Google Home Premium subscription for the full Gemini experience.
Gemini Live (freeform back-and-forth conversation), Camera History Search, and Home Briefs are all locked behind the paywall.
The subscription is $15 per month or $150 per year, though the speaker comes bundled with six months free for new subscribers who activate before September 30, 2026.
To be fair, we knew this was inevitable. A more basic version of Gemini remains available without paying up, but is it going to be worth it?
On the hardware side, the speaker is a clear step up from the Nest Mini, with a 58mm full-range driver delivering 360° omnidirectional audio, a 2x larger driver and 2.5x stronger bass than its predecessor.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and Thread 1.3, making it a Matter hub for your broader smart home setup.
It also works with a Google TV Streamer to add spatial surround sound to your setup if you add two of the speakers.
For privacy, Google has included a hardware mic mute toggle, not just a software switch.
The design wraps the puck-shaped body in a 3D-knit textile available in Hazel and Porcelain. It also features a light ring underglow that pulses to signal when the speaker is listening, thinking, or responding.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price (AU) | $199 |
| Driver | 58mm full-range, 360° omnidirectional |
| Microphones | 3 far-field microphones, hardware mute switch |
| Processor | Quad Core A55 2.0GHz with NPU |
| Memory / storage | 1GB LPDDR4 / 4GB eMMC |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.4, Thread 1.3 |
| Smart home | Matter hub, Google Home compatible |
| Colours (AU) | Hazel, Porcelain |
| Dimensions | 86.6mm H x 107mm diameter |
| Weight | 396g (including captive cable) |
Pricing and availability
The Google Home Speaker is $199 in Australia and available for pre-order now, with stock arriving in stores on June 25.
You can buy it from the Google Store, JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman. Every purchase comes with six months of Google Home Premium at no extra cost for new subscribers who activate by September 30, 2026.
After the trial, keeping the full Gemini feature set will set you back $15 per month or $150 per year.
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