Google’s first Gemini smart home speaker detailed in leak

TL;DR

• A Gemini powered smart speaker teased at the Made by Google event is reportedly real, per Android Headlines.
• The speaker can pair with a Google TV Streamer to deliver spatial TV audio, a capability similar to the way Apple HomePod connects with Apple TV.
• It will come in four colors: bright red, light green, black, and white, with a light ring around the base and a fabric finish.
• Gemini will power the device rather than Google Assistant and will arrive as part of Gemini for Home on existing Nest speakers and displays from October this year, with a paid tier and Gemini Live.
• The speaker is said to support Matter, feature natural voice options, and detect unusual sounds like glass breaking or a smoke alarm.

Context and background

Google showcased a broad hardware lineup at its Made by Google event. During the keynote, a brief appearance suggested a new Gemini powered smart speaker that had not been announced previously. Android Headlines reports that the device is real and will integrate with Google TV Streamer to enhance TV audio experiences. The leak follows Google’s broader Gemini announcement for Home this week, signaling a shift in how Google will position its smarter devices. The context is a growing push to embed Gemini intelligence into hardware beyond phones and tablets, while continuing to evolve the Nest line.

What’s new

The key new elements center on a hardware announcement that pairs Gemini intelligence with a new speaker form factor:

• Spatial TV audio via pairing with a Google TV Streamer, a capability inspired by the approach used with Apple’s HomePod and Apple TV.
• Four-color options: bright red, light green, black, white, with a light ring around the base rather than a ring across the top.
• A fabric finish for the speaker, aligning with the aesthetic of other Nest devices.
• Gemini powered hardware taking the lead on “smarts” rather than Google Assistant, continuing the company’s Gemini for Home initiative.
• Enhanced user experiences including new natural voice options, plus the ability to detect unusual sounds such as glass breaking or a smoke alarm.
• Matter support, aimed at improving interoperability with other smart home devices and ecosystems.
• A future paid tier and support for Gemini Live, though specific feature gating remains unclear.

Why it matters (impact for developers/enterprises)

The emergence of a Gemini powered speaker with Matter support signals a broader strategy to bring Gemini intelligence into more endpoints, expanding the reach of the Gemini ecosystem beyond smartphones and displays. For developers and enterprises building smart home and home theater experiences, the integration of Matter can simplify device interoperability across brands and platforms. The ability to pair the speaker with a Google TV Streamer to deliver spatial audio could influence how rooms are designed for home entertainment, potentially encouraging tighter integration between Google TV hardware and voice-driven control.

Technical details or Implementation

From the leaks and reporting, several technical details are highlighted:

• Intelligence: Gemini powers the device, with Google Assistant not the primary smart assistant on this speaker.
• Audio and video integration: The speaker pairs with the Google TV Streamer to provide spatial TV audio, a feature drawn from existing Apple ecosystem patterns.
• Compatibility: There is hope that the speaker can also connect to TVs running Google TV OS, though this remains a point of expectation rather than confirmed capability.
• Hardware design: Four color options, a base light ring, and a fabric finish for a refined look in living spaces.
• Interoperability: Full support for Matter is on the roadmap, enabling easier cross-brand smart home control.
• Software tiers: A paid Gemini Live tier is expected, with features that may be gated behind the premium subscription.
• Availability window: Gemini for Home will arrive on existing Nest smart speakers and displays from October this year, with a likely fall launch window for the new speaker alongside the broader Gemini for Home rollout.

Color and hardware specifics

| Color option | Finish/alignment | Notes |---|---|---| | Bright red | Fabric finish, base light ring | Bold, statement color for living rooms |Light green | Fabric finish, base light ring | Subtle but distinctive |Black | Fabric finish, base light ring | Classic, blends with most setups |White | Fabric finish, base light ring | Clean, modern look |

Key takeaways

• A Gemini powered smart speaker with Matter support is expected to pair with Google TV Streamer for spatial TV audio.
• The device will launch in a fall window, with Gemini for Home coming to Nest devices starting in October.
• Four color options and a fabric finish mark a refreshed design approach for Google’s smart home lineup.
• The shift from Google Assistant to Gemini as the primary smart intelligence could influence feature gating and premium tiers via Gemini Live.
• Availability and exact feature set for pairing with Google TV OS and other devices remain subject to confirmation.

References

• The Verge article detailing the leak and device concept: The Verge