Google Home Speaker Review: Slow but Solid
The Google Home Speaker has been around for about ten years and has undergone significant changes in its design language. The latest addition to the series is the $99.99 smart speaker, which I've been testing for a couple of weeks. One thing that remains consistent with previous models is the round body covered in mesh fabric.
The speaker also features a new light ring around the bottom, which changes color and patterns depending on its status - listening, thinking, or responding. This dynamic lighting effect is aesthetically pleasing and may be a preview of the HiLight feature coming to Pixel Pro phones.
Setting up the speaker is relatively easy, with the Google Home app guiding you through the process. You can assign it to a specific room for household management purposes. Once set up, the device waits for your command, activated by 'Okay, Google' or 'Hey, Google.' The ring lights up when listening and switches to multicolored patterns when responding.
The speaker offers official Gemini support, replacing Google Assistant with more abilities and personality. This allows for back-and-forth conversations without reactivating the trigger phrase. However, it may also lead to unintended interactions, as the speaker seems unable to detect who you're talking to.