Google Unveils All-New Gemini Smart Speaker Coming to Canada Next Week

Google is launching a brand new smart speaker, and this one’s built from the ground up for Gemini.

The Google Home Speaker goes on sale June 25 for $139.99 CAD, with pre-orders opening today. Google built this one from the ground up for Gemini, and the big difference you’ll notice is you don’t have to talk to it like a robot anymore.

“Instead of having to memorize rigid command phrases, Gemini adapts to how you speak, making it easier and more intuitive to get the help you need,” Google said on Wednesday.

The speaker keeps conversational context so you can ask follow-up questions without repeating the wake phrase every time. “Gemini has conversational context (a ‘short-term memory’), so it follows the thread of your discussion enabling real back-and-forth interactions,” the company added.

There’s a new light ring that glows around the entire device o the bottom, giving visual feedback as Gemini listens, thinks and responds. The colours remind us of Apple’s HomePod.

On the audio side, it delivers 360-degree sound so you get the same balanced listening experience whether you’re standing next to it or across the room. You can also pair it with a Google TV Streamer for spatial surround sound, or group it with other Nest speakers and Google Cast devices for  audio throughout your home.

Design-wise, Google explained the speaker is wrapped in a custom 3D-knit textile made from 87% recycled materials, with a light ring that glows around the entire device as Gemini listens and responds. It comes in four colours: Porcelain and Hazel globally (includes Canada), with Jade and Berry as U.S. exclusives (too bad). There’s also a physical mic mute toggle for privacy.

If you’re paying for a Google Home Premium subscription, it unlocks extra AI features including Gemini Live, Nest camera history search, and home summaries that recap activity while you were away.

You can pre-order today for $139.99 CAD, which is a step up in price from the legacy Nest Audio ($129.99) and Nest Mini ($69).