Finally Home: Google's Gemini-Powered Speaker Ends Six-Year Hardware Drought

Google's return to smart speakers after six years brings Gemini, a conversational AI that fundamentally changes voice interaction by understanding natural dialogue instead of rigid commands. This shift signals Google's strategic pivot toward conversational AI and raises expectations across the entire smart speaker category. At an accessible $100 price point, the device brings enterprise-grade AI conversation to mainstream consumers, marking a tipping point in how smart devices interpret human intent.