Google’s great smart speaker is held back by unfinished Gemini AI
▼ Summary
– Google’s new Home Speaker is its first new smart speaker in six years and its first built for the Gemini AI assistant.
– Smart speakers have struggled to justify their existence beyond basic tasks, with AI promising to change that.
– Amazon debuted hardware powered by a revamped Alexa last fall, and Google is now following suit.
– The Google Home Speaker signals the company is getting serious about the smart home again after years of neglect.
– Despite the new hardware, the Gemini for Home software still feels unfinished.
Smart speakers have been hunting for relevance beyond timers, music, and light control. For years, they’ve struggled to prove they deserve counter space. Then AI promised a revival, and both Amazon and Google have been racing to deliver. Amazon launched its revamped Alexa on new hardware last fall. Now, Google is finally stepping back into the ring.
The Google Home Speaker, the company’s first new smart speaker in six years, arrives as its debut device “built for Gemini.” After a prolonged period of neglect, Google seems ready to take the smart home seriously again. This speaker is the strongest signal yet of that renewed commitment. However, while the hardware is polished and attractive, the Gemini for Home experience still feels rough around the edges.
The assistant’s capabilities remain limited compared to the promises made. Users will find that basic commands work well, but more complex, conversational interactions often stumble. It’s a solid foundation, but the AI layer that was supposed to transform the smart speaker into an indispensable home hub is not yet fully baked. For now, the Google Home Speaker is a beautiful piece of hardware waiting for its software to catch up.
(Source: The Verge)
