The Google Home Speaker is available for $99, but there is an additional charge for Gemini.

      Google has introduced a new smart speaker, its first in about six years, along with a compelling reason for users to subscribe monthly.

      The Google Home Speaker is priced at $99.99, available for preorder starting today, and will be shipped on June 25. It is the first audio device designed around Gemini for Home, which is Google’s update to the aging Assistant.

      On the surface, it appears to be a solid improvement: it features 360-degree sound from a single 58mm driver, approximately 2.5 times the bass of the previous Nest Mini, comes in four colors, and includes a chip capable of local processing to reduce background noise.

      However, there is a catch. The $99 investment grants you access to conversation, quick replies, and smart-home management, but the features that Google emphasized during the launch are not included.

      Gemini Live's conversational abilities, Camera History Search for Nest cameras, and Home Briefs that provide summaries of home activities all require a subscription to Google Home Premium, which costs $10 per month, or $20 for the option that includes 24/7 camera recording.

      Each speaker includes six months of free Premium service, which is generous. After that period, the device that most users actually wanted becomes a subscription-based service.

      Additionally, there are concerns regarding trust. Gemini for Home has been in early access since last October, and some users have reported that it struggles with basic commands compared to the Assistant it is meant to replace.

      Google claims to have implemented over 2,500 fixes since then, with 3.5 million homes opting into the service. The pitch is that Gemini can now manage more natural, conversational speech, including situations like saying “turn off the coffee maker, I meant turn it on” and being able to follow along.

      Google is not the only company transforming smart speakers into subscription services. Amazon's updated Echo line operates on Alexa Plus, which is free for Prime members but comes at a premium for others, while Apple is preparing a Siri-enabled HomePod mini.

      Creating an affordable speaker is becoming easier, but the ongoing AI subscription cost is the true product, and Google is betting that users will be willing to pay once the six-month complimentary period concludes.

      Published June 17, 2026 - 2:27 pm UTC