Arriving six years after Google's last smart speaker, the new HomePod-style device was redesigned to play host to Gemini's chatbot. The last time Google released a smart speaker, the world was in the throes of a pandemic . Yes, it's been six years since the company trotted out a dedicated speaker. However, this newest Google Home Speaker brings a big change with it: The device has been redesigned to showcase the new Gemini assistant instead of the Google Assistant that powered all previous speakers and smart displays. Google announced the speaker last fall alongside new Nest smart home cameras and video doorbells, promising a spring 2026 launch.

The latest Apple HomePod speaker is on sale for 285 at B&H Photo, which is 14 less than buying from Apple directly. This isn't the largest cash discount we've seen, and Apple previously bundled the device with a 50 gift card during Black Friday. But deals of any kind on the home speaker have been uncommon since it arrived in early 2023, so this modest drop still represents the lowest price we've seen in the last few months. The discount applies to both the black and white versions of the speaker. This discount isn't an all-time low, but deals of any kind on Apple's top-end smart speaker have been uncommon.

Did you miss a session from GamesBeat Summit Next 2022? All sessions are now available for viewing in our on-demand library. Click here to start watching. With Google Assistant inside and conversational AI, these speakers can do a great range of things. Here's 10 worth trying, drawn from VentureBeat coverage over the course of the past year. Before getting into the more dynamic features Google Assistant provides through Home smart speakers, start with the most popular ways people use speakers with intelligent assistants.

Some smart home aficionados still eulogize Google's Chromecast Audio, but Belkin's new Soundform Connect aims to fulfill a similar role -- for iOS users, anyway. The $100 dongle can connect to any traditional home speaker and turn it into an AirPlay 2-compatible smart speaker you can cast audio to from iPhones and iPads running iOS 11.4 and iPadOS 11.4 or newer, plus Macs running Catalina and Apple TVs with tvOS 11.4. And when we "any" home speaker, we really mean it. The Soundform has at least one nice touch the Chromecast doesn't -- beyond still existing, that is. In addition to the classic 3.5mm jack, there's also a port for standard optical connections -- the Chromecast Audio required audiophiles to own or purchase a TOSLINK-to-3.5mm According to Belkin, users will able to ask Siri to play their music or podcasts on the speaker in question, as well as ask the virtual assistant what's playing in each room and remotely control the speaker's volume.

A few weeks ago, the Google Store listed the Google Home smart speaker as "no longer available." Now, we might know why. According to 9to5Google, the company is planning on a new Nest-branded smart speaker that is more in line with the minimalist look and fabric stylings of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub. The device is apparently codenamed "Prince" and is said to be somewhat of a rival to the Sonos One, which might mean more robust speakers. It's unclear when the product will actually launch, but as the Pixel 4a is likely delayed, Google's next smart speaker will probably have a later debut as well.

A new iOS update may be quietly patching up a software flaw that sent some of Apple's smart speakers spiraling out of commission. As reported by MacRumors, Apple has introduced yet another update to its iOS - the third update since it was release in September. Notably, however, the only change appears to be relating to software for the its Homepod, the company's only smart speaker. Apple hasn't said outright that this new software will correct the issue, but as noted by The Verge, it's unlikely the company would roll out any updates without correcting flaws in previous software. Apple's Homepod encountered an update issue that rendered the device unusable.

It has become commonplace--and somehow not at all weird--to ask your speaker for a weather report, or to command your television to switch on HBO. This is the new now, a place we've been ever since Alexa marched into our living rooms and Siri snuck into our pockets. And it's likely the future, as voice-controlled smart-home speakers and devices continue to proliferate like bunnies in the spring. The thing is, I'm not quite sure it's the future we asked for. Haven't we already decided the smartphone is the best tool for ambient internet tasks?

Samsung has finally unveiled its own smart speaker in a bid to take on Amazon, Apple, and Google. At the firm's Unpacked event in Brooklyn, New York today, Samsung teased a look at its Galaxy Home speaker, equipped with the Bixby voice assistant. But, Samsung remained tight-lipped on most of the details. The firm hasn't yet revealed how much it will cost or when it will officially launch, but promised more information is to come at the developer conference in November. At the firm's Unpacked event in Brooklyn, New York today, Samsung teased a look at its sleek Galaxy Home speaker, equipped with the Bixby voice assistant.

Today, Google announced that Assistant on its Home, Mini and Max products can now speak and understand Spanish. Additionally, consumers in Mexico will be able to find Google Home on store shelves starting today; the product launched in Spain last week. After saying the wake words "Ok, Google," users can use Spanish to speak with Assistant on the Home, Mini and Max. To hear about your schedule and appointments for the day, you can say, "¿Cómo será mi día?" Or to turn down the temperature, simply tell the Assistant, "Sube la temperatura del termostato." These features are available today on the afore mentioned Google Home hardware.

That means any of your flatmates or family members can say "call mum" and get the right person. Google's Assistant can also find the number for "millions" of businesses across Britain, so phoning your local pharmacy, mechanic or pizzeria should be a breeze. When you call someone for the first time, your Home speaker will show up as an unknown or private number. It's a pain -- especially if you're trying to call grandma -- but you can set up caller ID so your number appears for every subsequent call. To celebrate Mother's Day (in the UK, anyway) Google is dropping the price of its coral-colored Home Mini speaker by £10 to £39 until March 12th.