Google's AI surprise gave a sneak peek at an all-new smart speaker

During the August 2025 Made by Google event, while the spotlight was on the new Pixel 10 series and its powerful Tensor G5 chip, Google surprised attendees with a sneak peek at a new smart home speaker. The device, briefly showcased during the presentation, appears to be a compact, spherical speaker with an illuminated Gemini AI ring, resembling a smaller version of the Nest Mini. This new speaker could signify the beginning of an upgraded smart home lineup. The centerpiece of the reveal was Gemini for Home—a significantly enhanced version of Google Assistant. This AI aims to offer more natural and context-aware interactions, allowing users to control smart devices, manage household routines, and even plan vacations or manage groceries using conversational language. Gemini Live, another component, supports follow-up conversations and assists with complex queries like cooking, device troubleshooting, and storytelling. Early access for Gemini for Home will begin in October 2025 on existing Google smart devices, with both free and paid tiers. Alongside this, the event also featured the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Pixel Watch 4, emphasizing Google's focus on tightly integrated AI across its device ecosystem.