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Google Launches £99 UK Home Speaker with Gemini AI

6/25/2026

Summary

Google Launches Speaker

Google released the Google Home Speaker in the United Kingdom on 25 June 2026 for £99.99/$99.99, adding Gemini AI.
On-board machine-learning chips process commands locally, delivering noticeably faster responses than the Nest Mini.
The device also functions as a Matter and Thread border router, improving smart-home connectivity.
Gemini Live requires a Google Home Premium plan (£8/$10 monthly or £16/$20 monthly for Advanced) with a six-month free trial.

Summary

Google Speaker Issues

The speaker uses hidden side and top touch zones for volume and playback, and a bottom mute button with an LED ring that signals listening yet is hard to notice.
Setup requires only scanning a QR code in the Google Home app, without creating a new account.
Gemini for Home runs chat, misfires by suggesting a distant Thai food truck, and cannot access Nest thermostat settings despite Google linkage.

Summary

Google Speaker Complaints

Home subreddit users have flooded it with complaints about the shift from Google Assistant to Gemini, citing unreliable automation and new paywalls.
The Gemini-powered speaker puts routine-building and Gemini Live behind a $10-per-month (or $100-per-year) plan that limits video history to 30 days, while Premium adds 60 days plus ten days of recording.
Adopters report editing automations in the Google Home app after voice commands, showing the “just-tell-what-to-do” workflow is not seamless.

Summary

Google Smart Display

Anish Kattukaran, Head of Home and Nest at Google, said Google will launch a smart display despite the speaker debut.
A poll of 158 Android Authority readers found 57% prioritize a new Nest Hub, 30% favor a larger Nest Hub Max, and 12% prefer a Pixel Tablet with dock.
Only 1% were satisfied with the Google Home Speaker, which Google priced at $100.

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Google Launches Speaker

Google released the Google Home Speaker in the United Kingdom on 25 June 2026 for £99.99/$99.99, adding Gemini AI.
On-board machine-learning chips process commands locally, delivering noticeably faster responses than the Nest Mini.
The device also functions as a Matter and Thread border router, improving smart-home connectivity.
Gemini Live requires a Google Home Premium plan (£8/$10 monthly or £16/$20 monthly for Advanced) with a six-month free trial.

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