Review says Google Home Speaker hardware is strong, Gemini lags behind

In short: The Verge says Google’s new Home Speaker is well designed and affordable, but its Gemini for Home voice assistant feels unfinished.

What happened

Google has released a new Google Home Speaker, its first new smart speaker in about six years, according to a review by The Verge. The device costs about $100, comes in several colors, and is meant to be “built for Gemini,” which is Google’s newer AI assistant.

The reviewer says the speaker itself is easy to like. It is small enough to fit into a room without standing out, but big enough to sound good for its size. The review also notes that it can act as a smart home controller for Matter and Thread, which are shared “languages” that help smart home devices work together (like using the same type of plug so different brands can connect).

The main complaint is the Gemini for Home software. The Verge says Gemini can understand back and forth conversation well, but it is also slow and unreliable. The review also says some features are paywalled, meaning you may have to pay extra to use them.

Why it matters

Smart speakers have mostly been used for simple tasks like music, timers, and turning lights on and off. Companies have been promising that AI would make them more helpful, like having a better assistant in the kitchen. This review suggests Google is closer on the speaker hardware, but the assistant still needs work, so buyers may want to focus on what it can do today, not what it might do later.

Source: The Verge AI