Google appears ready to unveil its next-generation smart speaker, ending a long hiatus in its hardware lineup. Speculation regarding the device intensified following a cryptic message from Anish Kattukaran, Google’s Chief Product Officer for Gemini for Home. In an email and subsequent Reddit post addressing the 3.5 million early testers of the Gemini for Home ecosystem, the executive thanked users for their feedback before dropping a major hint. Kattukaran explicitly urged users who have been patiently waiting for a “certain speaker” to keep a very close eye on their inboxes next week, strongly signaling that an official announcement is imminent.
This executive teaser aligns with recent retail leaks that gave the public a glimpse of Google’s upcoming hardware. The unannounced smart speaker briefly appeared on Best Buy Canada’s e-commerce platform, which listed its official launch date as June 25. While Google has yet to officially confirm this specific retail timeline, industry experts anticipate that the company will officially reveal the device or open pre-orders next week, ahead of wide commercial availability.
Marking Google’s first major smart speaker release in years, the new device is expected to retail at a competitive price point of approximately $100. Leaks indicate a noticeable visual departure from previous generations, adopting a rounded, compact design that resembles a squished Apple HomePod mini. The speaker will reportedly feature 360-degree audio, multi-room support, and four colorways: Berry, Hazel, Jade, and Porcelain. Crucially, the hardware will boast deep, native integration with the company’s advanced artificial intelligence platform, Gemini, allowing for highly interactive, context-aware smart home controls. As the company looks to reclaim its presence in the connected home market, an official announcement next week should finally clarify availability.
