Google's first new smart speaker in six years may soon have a launch date.
Google's self-imposed deadline for Spring 2026 has passed without any announcement.
Google has remained notably silent regarding its Gemini-powered Home Speaker since it was revealed in October 2025. I anticipated the device would be showcased at I/O 2026, but that did not happen either.
Now, a product page on Best Buy Canada has casually leaked a potential release date, hinting that the wait may soon be over.
What does the leak indicate?
According to the Best Buy page, the Home Speaker could be launched on June 25, 2026 (as reported by 9To5Google). The page has since been updated, and the launch date has been removed, which typically occurs with genuine release dates rather than temporary placeholders.
So, what leads us to this release date? Various media outlets were able to capture screenshots before the date was taken down. While Google has yet to officially confirm the Home Speaker's launch date, June 25 falls just four days after spring concludes on June 21, lending it more credibility.
In my view, the delay seems deliberate. Google needed to complete the rollout of Gemini for Home to existing devices before introducing new products, and that rollout has been ongoing since October 2025, with updates being delivered three to four times monthly starting in March 2026.
What features does the Google Home Speaker offer?
The device features a 360-degree fabric design surrounding everything except for the base, which includes a microphone mute switch and a ring of status lights that illuminate dynamically when the speaker is listening, processing, or responding. Some functionalities, like brainstorming, require a Gemini subscription.
Additionally, you can connect two speakers with the Google TV Streamer for a home cinema experience, and stereo pairing with existing Nest Audio speakers allows for multi-room audio throughout the house.
Google's Gemini AI assistant enables natural language interactions and controls smart home automation. Priced at $99.99 in the US, it will come in four colors: Berry, Hazel, Jade, and Porcelain. Availability is confirmed for 19 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Ireland, and Japan.
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Google's first new smart speaker in six years may soon have a launch date.
Google remained silent about its Gemini-powered Home Speaker during the entirety of I/O 2026.
