Google just announced two new voice-enabled wireless speakers called Home Mini and Home Max. They are the big and little brothers to the original Google Home. Each is a direct competitor to Amazon’s Echo Dot / Echo and Apple’s forthcoming HomePod.
Google Home Mini ($49) is designed to fit naturally in any room. It’s sleek and smooth, with no corners or edges, and about the size of a donut. Its fabric enclosure is durable, yet transparent enough to let through both light and sound. The LEDs under the fabric light up to show you when your Assistant hears you. And it projects 360-degree sound so you’ll never miss a beat. With far-field microphones, Mini can hear you even when there’s music playing or there’s other noise in the background.
Google Home Max ($399) is the biggest and best sounding of the bunch thanks to dual 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers. Its got built-in acoustic calibration that Google calls Smart Sound which automatically adjusts sound for where it’s placed. It will dynamically tune itself within seconds every time its moved.
The entire Google Home family has the Google Assistant built in, so you can get answers from Google, tackle your day, enjoy your entertainment, and control your smart home. The Google Assistant is the only assistant that recognizes your voice, and up to five others in your home, so that you can all get a personalized experience.
How it Works?
Just say “Hey Google, good morning” to hear about your day, including your personalized schedule, commute time, the weather and news. Soon your Assistant will be even more helpful with your daily routines. With a single command, you can control multiple smart home devices plus get information you need in the moment. So “Hey Google, goodnight!” can turn off your lights, turn down the temperature, and let you know tomorrow’s first meeting.
You can also broadcast a message to let the family know when it’s time to get a move on. Just say “Hey Google, broadcast it’s time to leave for soccer practice!” and it’ll play on the other Google Home devices around the house.
Price and Availability
- Google Home Mini – $49 (available Oct. 19, 2017)
- Colors: Chalk, Charcoal and Coral
- Google Home – $129 (available now)
- Colors: White with optional bases that cost extra
- Google Home Max – $399 (available Nov. 13, 2017)
- Colors: Chalk, Charcoal
