Google Home Speaker: My Crash Course in Smart Home Living

The long-awaited Google Home Speaker is finally hitting the shelves tomorrow after nine months of anticipation. As I sit here typing away, the sound of music fills the room from this new device. While I’ve only had it for a day, I can already share some initial impressions.

So, after six years of waiting for the Nest Audio, was it worth it? Let’s delve into it.

Aesthetically Pleasing Design with Some Quirks

Right out of the box, the Home Speaker looks exactly as expected – a compact orb covered in mesh fabric that fits snugly in the palm of my hand. The feel of the 37% recycled fabric is quite pleasant and oddly satisfying to touch.

In terms of size, it falls between the now-discontinued Nest Mini and Nest Audio. While the design is similar to its predecessors, I can’t help but notice that it resembles an upside-down, slightly flattened Apple HomePod Mini.

The color option I have is called Hazel, but it’s essentially black to most people. Interestingly, in the UK, the only other color available is Porcelain (a creamy white), while the Berry and Jade colors are exclusive to the US, which might disappoint some potential buyers.

On that note, Google mentioned, “We launched in the UK with our two most versatile, classic colorways to focus on our core designs. We’re always listening to customer feedback as we plan future rollouts.”

Initial reactions to the Home Speaker have been positive, but there are some changes that may not sit well with existing users and could create a divide among consumers.

One notable change is the addition of a colorful ring light around the base, which serves as the primary way to interact with the speaker. The light illuminates when the speaker is active, listening, processing commands, adjusting volume, and more.

Personally, I quite like this feature, but depending on the speaker’s placement, visibility of the light may be affected compared to a top-mounted indicator.

Chris Martin / Foundry

You can tap on the top for play/pause functionality and on the sides for volume control. However, due to its symmetrical design, the location of these controls may not be immediately obvious, requiring some learning on the user’s part.

Another noteworthy change is the introduction of a fixed cable for the Home Speaker, unlike its predecessors. While the USB-C connection at the other end is a positive aspect, the fixed cable may pose challenges in routing and replacement in case of damage.

Personally, I’ve never had issues with cable damage on such devices as they are usually tucked away, but households with more risk-prone environments may need to exercise caution. On a positive note, the inclusion of a 30W adapter is a nice touch, which can also be used for charging phones if needed.

Impressive Sound Quality

One of the crucial factors for a speaker is its sound quality, and I can confidently say that the Google Home Speaker delivers excellent audio performance.

From listening to various genres of music to podcasts, the sound output is clear, rich, and immersive, despite the speaker’s compact size.

Compared to the Nest Mini, which I didn’t find suitable for music playback, and the hefty Nest Audio, the Home Speaker strikes a good balance. However, it’s worth noting that the Nest Audio, priced similarly, featured a tweeter which the Home Speaker lacks.

Chris Martin / Foundry

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If you’re placing the Home Speaker in a small to medium-sized room, you’re unlikely to need to crank up the volume to maximum. Additionally, the Google Home app allows you to fine-tune the bass and treble settings as per your preference.

While I only have one speaker, it’s worth noting that you can pair two Home Speakers to create a stereo setup, and they can be connected to a Google TV Streamer for spatial surround sound audio.

Gemini: The Game-Changer

Thus far, I’ve only tested basic commands, and everything seems to function smoothly. However, it’s the introduction of Gemini for Home that truly sets this device apart, warranting further exploration before a comprehensive review.

Gemini promises to revolutionize the Google Assistant experience with enhanced features and capabilities previously unavailable. It aims to offer a more natural conversational interface, allowing users to speak more freely without the need for precise commands. Moreover, it allows for self-correction during interactions.

Gemini is expected to enhance organizational tasks and provide more insightful information from connected devices like cameras, enabling functionalities such as checking if a family member has arrived home.

Chris Martin / Foundry

However, there are a couple of considerations to keep in mind. Some advanced features require a Google Home Premium subscription, including Gemini Live for more interactive conversations. The speaker comes with a 6-month trial, allowing users to experience these features before committing to a subscription. The value of the subscription increases with the number of Google Home devices in your ecosystem.

At a price of £8/$10 per month or £80/$100 annually for the Standard plan, and £16/$20 per month or £160/$200 yearly for the Advanced plan, users need to weigh the benefits against the cost. The Advanced plan offers additional features like extended event video history and enhanced search capabilities.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that existing Google Home devices have been upgraded to Gemini for Home, including models like Nest Audio, Nest Mini (2nd Gen), Nest Hub Max, and Nest Hub (2nd Gen). This means that users may not necessarily need to upgrade to the new Home Speaker to enjoy the benefits of Gemini.

With these enhancements and upgrades, the question arises – who is the Google Home Speaker intended for, especially when most smart home owners already have compatible devices scattered around their homes?

Stay tuned for a comprehensive review of the Google Home Speaker coming soon. If you’re eager to experience it for yourself, the speaker is available for purchase on the Google website for £99.99/$99.99.