Walmart Onn Smart Speaker With Gemini AI in CSA Filing

Walmart is developing a new budget-friendly smart speaker under its Onn brand, powered by Google's Gemini artificial intelligence, according to a recent certification filing with the Connectivity Standards Alliance.

The device, manufactured by Shenzhen SEI Robotics Co., Ltd., emerged in the CSA listing, which details its core features as a compact smart home hub. It includes a 10-watt speaker for room-filling audio, a far-field microphone array for reliable voice pickup, physical buttons for volume and playback control, LED status indicators, and a hardware switch to physically disable the microphone for privacy. Connectivity options encompass Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Google Cast for Audio, enabling seamless streaming of music, podcasts, and other content from compatible apps. The speaker also holds Matter certification, the industry standard for interoperability, allowing it to control devices like lights, thermostats, and locks from various manufacturers.

This marks a potential revival for third-party smart speakers integrated with Google's technology. Releases from brands such as JBL, including the Authentics lineup in late 2023, had largely ceased as Google shifted focus from...