Google launches $99 Gemini Home Speaker for preorder

Google has officially launched its new Google Home Speaker, marking the company's first dedicated smart speaker release in six years. The device is now available for preorder and will begin shipping to customers on Thursday, June 25, priced at $99.99.

The speaker represents a fundamental shift for Google's smart home audio, being the first built from the ground up for its Gemini AI platform, which replaces the older Google Assistant. The company says this integration enables more natural, conversational interactions. Users can issue multi-step commands in a single sentence, correct themselves mid-query, and ask follow-up questions without repeatedly using a wake word. Examples include asking the speaker to "turn off all the lights except the bedside lamp" or to dim lights, play music, and set a timer simultaneously.

Beyond the AI software, Google highlights several hardware upgrades. The spherical speaker is designed for 360-degree audio and features a driver that is twice as large as the one in the Nest Mini, with 2.5 times stronger bass. Its exterior is wrapped in a 3D-knit fabric made from recycled materials. A new visual indicator replaces the traditional top-mounted LEDs...