The Verge
Google built a great smart speaker, but Gemini isn’t ready for it
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Google released a new smart speaker with integrated Gemini AI capabilities. The device can play music, set timers, and control smart home devices. Google's previous smart speakers offered similar functionality, and the company positioned the new model as an advancement in AI-assisted home assistance. Amazon released an updated smart speaker with a redesigned Alexa system in the prior year.
Original reporting: https://www.theverge.com/tech/959503/google-home-speaker-review-gemini-for-home
