Google introduced its first dedicated Gemini smart speaker at $99.99, letting you speak in natural language and make multistep requests instead of carefully phrased commands.

What happened: Google unveiled the Google Home Speaker on Wednesday, its first standalone smart speaker since the Nest Audio in September 2020. The device is powered by Gemini AI and lets you speak naturally—for example, "turn off all the lights except for my bedside lamp" or "dim the kitchen lights, play some relaxing music, and set a timer for 20 minutes." You can also correct yourself mid-sentence, and the speaker will understand. The device ships with 10 new voices and a "Continued Conversation" feature so you can ask follow-up questions without saying "OK, Google" again.

Why it matters: Unlike older smart speakers that required carefully phrased commands, the Google Home Speaker is designed to handle messy, real-world speech and multistep requests, which makes it more practical for everyday use. However, the most powerful Gemini features—like Gemini Live conversations, summaries of Nest camera activity, and analysis of home events—require a $10-per-month (or $100-per-year) Google Home Premium subscription, so Google is betting users will pay for these advanced capabilities.

What to watch: The device is available for preorder now and will ship later this month. Google is offering the premium features free for six months before requiring a subscription—a trial period that will test whether those capabilities are compelling enough to drive recurring revenue.