Gemini smart speakers revealed ahead of Google Home launch
▼ Summary
– Google is reviving its smart speaker focus with a new first-party “Google Home Speaker” and a potential resurgence of third-party devices.
– Third-party Google Assistant smart speakers, once common from brands like JBL, have mostly disappeared, with the last notable model being 2023’s JBL Authentics.
– A product listing reveals Walmart is developing an “Onn Smart Speaker” powered by Gemini, featuring voice controls, audio streaming, and a privacy switch.
– The Onn speaker includes a 10W speaker, far-field microphones, physical controls, and supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Google Cast for Audio.
– Walmart’s device has not officially launched, but it may debut alongside new Google TV hardware, signaling a revival of third-party Gemini smart speakers.
Gemini is breathing new life into the smart speaker market, with Google’s own Google Home Speaker poised to be the first major first-party hardware release in years. But perhaps more telling is the potential revival of third-party smart speakers, a category that has largely gone silent for some time.
For years, the term “Google Assistant smart speaker” wasn’t limited to Google’s own devices. While the Google Home Mini and Nest Audio were household names, a robust ecosystem of third-party speakers from brands like JBL and others flourished. At one point, it seemed every audio company was building an Assistant-powered speaker.
Then, the market dried up.
The last notable third-party Google Assistant speaker was the JBL Authentics lineup, launched in 2023 and widely praised for its quality.
That drought appears to be ending as the Gemini era takes shape. A recent product listing on the CSA’s website (the organization behind the Matter standard) reveals a new Onn Smart Speaker being developed by Walmart. The device sports a minimalist design and features Gemini voice controls, along with audio streaming via Bluetooth or Google Cast. A single image shows physical volume and play/pause buttons, while the listing also mentions a microphone privacy switch.
The listing describes it as: “A Gemini-powered smart home speaker integrating voice assistant, audio playback, and smart home control functionality. The device supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and enables seamless media streaming via Google Cast for Audio. It features a 10W speaker and a far-field microphone array for reliable voice interaction. The product includes physical controls, LED indicators, and a hardware microphone privacy switch for user interaction and privacy protection.”
Walmart has not officially announced this device, nor has it appeared on the retailer’s website or in stores. However, a launch alongside Walmart’s new Google TV hardware (which has been quietly shipping to stores) would make perfect sense. The listing was first spotted by a Reddit user who previously uncovered early details about those Google TV devices.
There’s no confirmed launch date for this Onn speaker, but its existence signals a potential resurgence of third-party smart speaker hardware powered by Google’s voice assistant. Since Gemini already runs on many older Assistant speakers, this move feels logical. It will be fascinating to see what other devices emerge as the ecosystem expands.
Meanwhile, Google’s own Google Home Speaker is expected to launch soon, potentially within weeks based on the company’s initial timeline.
(Source: 9to5google.com)
