Google’s Gemini-Powered Home Speaker: Full Leak Roundup

Google's first new smart speaker in six years is close to launch, and a retailer slip-up has given us the most detailed look yet at what to expect. The device, officially previewed in October 2025, marks a complete break from the old Nest branding and Google Assistant, instead building the entire experience around the Gemini AI model. Here is a breakdown of everything the leaks and official previews have revealed.

The Leaked Launch Date and Official Status

The strongest signal for a release date comes from Best Buy Canada, which briefly published a product page listing a launch date of June 25, 2026 . The listing has since been removed, and the U.S. Best Buy site never showed the date . The official Google Store product page remains live but only displays a "Coming Spring 2026" placeholder, with no purchase option . Spring officially ends on June 21, meaning this date would put the release just a few days outside Google's stated window, a delay that is not unusual for hardware launches .

Until Google makes a formal announcement, June 25 should be treated as a credible but unconfirmed estimate.

Pricing and Color Options

Google confirmed the U.S. price at the October 2025 preview event, and the leaked retailer listing matches it:

• $99.99 USD
• $139.99 CAD in Canada, according to the Best Buy leak
• £99 in the UK is expected, though not yet officially confirmed

Four color options were announced at the preview event:

• Porcelain (beige/white)
• Hazel (black/gray)
• Berry (pink/red)
• Jade (light green)

Availability may vary by region. Some reports indicate that only Porcelain and Hazel will be sold outside the United States at launch .

Design and Hardware

The Google Home Speaker abandons the old Nest branding for a softer, fabric-covered orb shape . Key hardware details include:

• A light ring that provides visual feedback for AI status and interactions
• 360-degree audio for room-filling sound
• The ability to pair two speakers for stereo sound

The design language puts it in line with modern smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod Mini, prioritizing a textile finish over the plastic-heavy look of older Google Home devices.

Gemini AI Features

The speaker is built from the ground up for Gemini, replacing Google Assistant entirely . The core promise is more natural, conversational interactions. Instead of memorizing specific device names and rigid command phrases, users can speak freely, interrupt, and ask follow-up questions as they would with a person .

The feature set splits into free and paid tiers. Basic core functions, including standard queries, device control, and the Gemini voice assistant itself, do not require a subscription .

Premium features, unlocked with a Google Home Premium subscription, include:

• Gemini Live: Hotword-free, ongoing conversations that allow brainstorming and open-ended discussion without repeatedly saying "Hey Google"
• Sound Detection: Alerts for smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and glass breaking
• Ask Home: Complex automation creation through natural language requests
• AI Camera Search: The ability to ask the speaker about footage captured on Nest Cams and get descriptive answers

The Subscription Requirement

Google has rebranded its Nest Aware service as Google Home Premium, a whole-home subscription that bundles camera security features with Gemini AI capabilities .

Plan	Monthly Price	Annual Price	Key Gemini Features Included
Standard	$10	$100	Gemini Live, Ask Home, 30-day video history, intelligent camera alerts
Plus (Advanced)	$20	$200	All Standard features, plus 60-day video history, 24/7 continuous recording, AI event descriptions, and Home Brief summaries

The new speaker includes a 6-month Google Home Premium trial, valued at roughly $60, allowing buyers to test the full AI feature set before committing to a paid plan .

What This Means for the Smart Home Market

This launch is Google's answer to Amazon's Alexa+ and Apple's continued HomePod development, both of which are pushing generative AI into the home. The $99 price point positions the speaker competitively against the HomePod Mini and Echo Dot, but the recurring subscription for premium AI features represents a notable shift in Google's business model—moving from hardware-as-a-loss-leader toward recurring service revenue.

For users already paying for a Google One AI Premium plan, some of these Home Premium features may be included without an additional subscription, though the exact bundling details have not been fully clarified .

With the Best Buy Canada leak pointing to a late June arrival, the wait for Google's AI-powered smart home reboot may finally be measured in weeks rather than months.