If you’ve felt Google Assistant was a bit stiff at home, you’re not alone. Google is rolling out Gemini for Home, a more conversational AI that understands context and can chain tasks. Alongside that, the company announced a $99 Google Home Speaker landing spring 2026. Below is what’s new, what it costs, and whether you should upgrade now or wait.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Home Speaker costs $99 and ships spring 2026.
- Gemini for Home replaces Google Assistant on speakers and displays, starting with early access this month.
- Google Home Premium replaces Nest Aware at the same prices, and unlocks most of the flashy AI camera features.
What is Gemini for Home
Gemini for Home is Google’s new home AI that handles natural, messy requests. Say “I’m about to watch a movie, turn off the lights,” and it will dim the right room lights without you micromanaging device names. It also introduces Gemini Live for hands-free back-and-forth conversations on supported devices. Early access starts now, with a broader rollout over the coming weeks and months.
How it differs from Google Assistant
Assistant needed precise commands. Gemini tracks context, people, rooms, and recent actions, then picks sensible defaults. It also ties deeper into the overhauled Google Home app, which loads faster, crashes less, and adds Ask Home so you can search or summarize events in plain English.
Google Home Speaker at $99
Google’s new Home Speaker is built specifically for Gemini. Expect 360-degree audio, a dynamic light ring that shows when Gemini is listening or responding, and surround pairing with a Google TV Streamer for home-theater setups. The design comes in Porcelain, Hazel, Jade, and Berry. The target market is obvious: it meets Apple’s HomePod mini on price but leans hard into conversational AI.
Release window and pairing
Launch is slated for spring 2026 at $99. If you use Google TV, being able to pair two Home Speakers with the streamer is the sleeper feature here for budget surround.
Subscriptions: Google Home Premium replaces Nest Aware
Google Home Premium is the new subscription, keeping the old Nest Aware pricing: Standard at $10/month or $100/year, Advanced at $20/month or $200/year. Standard gets you Gemini Live access and 30-day event video history. Advanced adds AI event descriptions, Home Brief daily summaries, and searchable video history. It’s included with Google AI Pro/Ultra plans, which could be the most cost-effective path if you already use Gemini heavily.
Should you upgrade now or wait
Try now if you already own Nest speakers or cameras. Early access lets you feel the conversational jump and the faster app. Wait if the $99 speaker is your main interest or you want the full surround pairing with Google TV. The hardware arrives in spring 2026, and the ecosystem will likely mature by then.
Comparison Table: Home subscriptions
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $10 | $100 | Gemini Live, 30-day event history, intelligent alerts |
| Advanced | $20 | $200 | Everything in Standard plus AI event descriptions, Home Brief, searchable video history |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Gemini for Home free?
Core features roll out free on supported devices. Advanced voice and camera features may require Google Home Premium.
Will my old Google/Nest speaker get Gemini?
Yes, many existing devices are included in the rollout, but features vary by model.
What colors does the Home Speaker come in?
Porcelain, Hazel, Jade, Berry.
Can I pair two Home Speakers with my TV?
Yes, with a Google TV Streamer for a simple surround setup.
What’s new in the Google Home app?
Faster startup, fewer crashes, deeper Nest integration, and Ask Home for natural-language queries.
What do I get with Advanced vs Standard?
Advanced adds AI event descriptions, daily Home Brief, and more camera history over Standard.
Featured Answer Boxes
What is the Google Home Speaker price and release date?
Google’s new Home Speaker is priced at $99 and planned for spring 2026. It’s designed for Gemini for Home, supports 360-degree audio, and can pair with a Google TV Streamer for surround setups.
Does Google Home Premium replace Nest Aware?
Yes. Google Home Premium replaces Nest Aware with two tiers: Standard $10/month and Advanced $20/month, adding AI features like event descriptions, Home Brief summaries, and searchable video history.
Source: Google Blog
