After years of minor updates, Google is placing a big bet that its Gemini AI can breathe new life into its smart speaker lineup. On Wednesday, the company unveiled its first audio device purpose-built for Gemini: the $99.99 Google Home Speaker. This marks the tech giant's first standalone smart speaker since the Nest Audio launched back in September 2020. That earlier device arrived during an era when smart speakers were primarily seen as convenient tools for controlling smart home gadgets and playing music. They lacked the sophistication of today's AI chatbots, often requiring commands to be phrased just right to function properly.

The Google Home Speaker changes all that. You can now speak using natural language and even make multi-step requests with whatever phrasing feels natural. For example, you could tell the speaker to "turn off all the lights except for my bedside lamp," or "dim the kitchen lights, play some relaxing music, and set a timer for 20 minutes." You can also correct yourself mid-sentence without needing to start over—Gemini will understand. That means saying something like "turn off the coffee maker…I mean, turn it on" will get the right response, according to Google.

Additionally, the device ships with 10 new voices that can engage in two-way conversations on topics beyond smart home tasks or simple commands. You can ask nuanced questions and dive deeper into subjects you want to learn about, just as you would when speaking with Gemini on your smartphone. The speaker's microphone can stay on briefly when using the "Continued Conversation" feature, allowing you to naturally ask follow-up questions without repeating "OK, Google." The device itself looks familiar, featuring a 3D-knit textile wrap and a rounded 3.4 x 4.2-inch design. In the U.S., it comes in Jade and Berry colors, in addition to the Hazel and Porcelain options available globally. A new ring light at the bottom indicates whether the speaker is listening, thinking, or responding.

However, not all of the device's AI capabilities come for free. Google is offering Google Home Premium subscription plans for $10 per month (or $100 per year) for those who want access to more powerful AI features. This includes free-flowing conversations with Gemini Live, which you start by saying "Hey Google, let's chat." Home Premium can also help you ask about and interpret activity captured by your home's Nest cameras, or provide summaries of what happened while you were away. Whether these features are compelling enough to justify yet another monthly subscription remains uncertain, especially since many of the device's Gemini features are available without paying. Google will try to ease you into the advanced features by offering them free for six months before prompting you to subscribe. If this strategy succeeds, Google will have revitalized the smart speaker lineup with generative AI and found a way to monetize those technological advances. The device is available for pre-order now and will ship later this month.