Google built a great smart speaker, but Gemini isn’t ready for it
Google has released its first new smart speaker in six years, designed specifically to integrate with the Gemini AI assistant. However, early reviews suggest the hardware is solid while the software integration remains unfinished.
Why it matters
This reflects the broader industry struggle to make AI-powered smart home devices truly useful and reliable for consumers.
Smart speakers have spent the past few years searching for a compelling second act. Beyond music, timers, and controlling your lights, they’ve struggled to justify taking up space on the kitchen counter. AI promised to change that.
The article provides a balanced critique of both the hardware quality and the software limitations.
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