For a few years now, third-party Google Assistant speakers have been basically non-existent. The JBL Authentics lineup in late 2023 was the last real push from a non-Google brand, and after that, the market went quiet. But A fresh CSA list Suggests this is about to change.
A product page on the website of CSA, the organization behind the Matter smart home standard, reveals an “On Smart Speaker” being developed by Walmart. As per the listing, it runs Gemini Voice Control and supports audio streaming over Bluetooth and Google Cast. Physically, it has volume and play/pause buttons, as well as a microphone privacy switch. Under the hood, it reportedly packs a 10W speaker and a far-field microphone array. No price or launch date has been shared.
A big trend is taking shape
Google is already close to launching its own Google Home speaker, which has been tipped to be the first new Google smart home speaker for years. Walmart’s OWN device will sit alongside it as a budget-friendly third-party option, much in the same way that OWN streaming boxes complement Google’s own Chromecast hardware.
Gemini is already running on older Assistant-era speakers through Google’s Early Access program. Walmart’s home-branded new Gemini smart speaker shows that Google is opening the door to third-party manufacturers again. This is similar to the Assistant days when speakers from JBL, Sony and others were everywhere. Walmart already has a working relationship with Google on its Gemini-powered smart home push, so this isn’t exactly a surprise.
It remains to be seen if this is a preview of things to come from other brands. But Walmart creating the Gemini smart speaker is a sign that the ecosystem is finally starting to evolve.
