To say I’m invested in the Google ecosystem would be a major understatement.
Web browsing? Chrome. Emails? Gmail. Calendar? Google Calendar. Photos? Google Photos. Notes? Google Keep. Entertainment? YouTube, a lot of the time.
I rely on Google Maps to get around, and if I’m not reviewing another device, I’m probably using a Pixel phone . Even my TV runs on a Chromecast with Google TV.
In 2022, I briefly flirted with Google’s smart speakers, buying a Nest Mini and trying it out for a few weeks. However, I was bitterly disappointed by the buggy experience and its apparent inability to hear what I was saying. Compared to my trusty Alexa speaker, the difference was night and day.
The Google Nest Mini didn’t do it for me
Foundry
However, I’ve learned to avoid it for most other queries, with even basic questions either relying on a website I’ve never heard of or an “Alexa answers contributor”. Even when it sounds more definitive, such as a specific food being safe for dogs, the responses are caveated by suggesting to “check with your veterinarian”. I don’t know about you, but none of that inspires any confidence in me.
Gemini upgrade was written in the stars
Gemini has established itself as the most advanced digital assistant on phones , and I’d expect the transition to speakers to be relatively smooth.
The Google Home Speaker is only available in Porcelain or Hazel (pictured) in the UK
Gemini is already able to answer hundreds of questions that weren’t possible with Google Assistant previously. When I ask it something complex, it usually gives me an actual answer, rather than just saying “I’m not sure about that” (looking at you, Alexa!).
If you’re willing to fork out an extra £8/$8 per month or £80/$80 per year, you’ll even get the human-like conversational abilities of Gemini Live, but that’s unnecessary for most people. You can still access its generally high-quality ability to answer questions without paying for a subscription.
New hardware is important, too
“But Gemini is rolling out to every smart speaker Google has ever released!”, you might say. Yes, that’s true, but there are specific reasons I’m excited about the Home Speaker.
Firstly, I’m expecting a big improvement in sound quality compared to my previous Nest Mini. Google has kept details to a minimum, but says the speaker offers “seriously good sound”. A key advantage over Nest models is a speaker that wraps all the way around the device, enabling 360-degree audio.
The audio probably won’t blow me away or even surpass the quality of a good Bluetooth speaker. But I’m no audiophile – decent sound, combined with a genuinely smart virtual assistant, is all I’m looking for. Even without an LED display, it should beat my current Echo Dot with Clock.
It might be time to say goodbye to my Echo Dot with Clock
Foundry
Another plus for me is that the Google Home Speaker doesn’t have a display or camera. I really don’t want another distracting screen in the house, which I found more annoying than useful on both my Echo Show devices. And I’d much rather use a laptop for video calls than a smart display.
Crucially, the Google Home Speaker is affordable enough to make it worth taking a punt on. It’ll cost £99/$99 when it goes on sale next year, matching Apple’s HomePod Mini. If you’re interested, head to the Google website , where you can be notified once it goes on sale.
If it’s as good as it sounds, Google could be onto a winner here. And my decade-long association with Alexa could finally be coming to an end.
Looking for Pixel phone accessories instead? Read our reviews of the Pixel Flex Dual-Port Charger and Pixelsnap Ring Stand .
Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
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