If you were watching closely during the Made by Google event earlier this week, you may have noticed something totally new that Google didn't announce. In all the hubbub surrounding the launch of the Pixel 10 series and the Pixel Watch 4, Google snuck in a brief look at what seems to be a new Google Home speaker without adding any other details.
Now, more information about the speaker has leaked, courtesy of Android Headlines. That includes details on what this speaker can apparently do, colors that will be on option and how Gemini will operate.
While Google didn't tell us anything about this new speaker, we did get a good look at it during the event. The speaker looks like a cross between an Echo Dot and an Apple HomePod Mini, with a large bulb sitting atop a thin LED light ring.
It's very mushroom-esque, and it's almost like the old Google Home Mini speakers decided to do some growing into the speaker we see before us. Hopefully, it doesn't suffer nearly as many problems.
What will this new Home speaker do?
Android Headlines has added that this speaker will run on Gemini, rather than Google Assistant, which is no huge shock. Apparently, Gemini Live will be included as well; it would naturally have to skip out on all the camera-based features available on Android phones.
This version of Gemini can reportedly do the usual things like place media, control smart home tech and set up automations. However, it will also apparently be able to detect strange sounds like glass breaking or alarms going off — at which point it'll send an alert to your phone.
Kind of like a 21st-century guard dog, but without going nuts because the mailman dared to walk past your front door.
Like HomePod, the speaker will also gain the ability to pair itself with Google TV streaming devices. That means you can get the sound from your TV coming through the Home's speaker, which I'm guessing means you'll be able to daisy chain multiple options together for a more immersive experience.
Plus, it's expected to act as a Matter hub for all the compatible non-Google items in your home. As for coloring, the report claims that this speaker will be available in red, light green, black and Google's white-ish porcelain hue.
As for when it might be released, that isn't clear. Android headlines speculates it'll either be before the end of October, or after the New Year — since the post-October period is usually more focused on selling products rather than releasing new ones.
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