What you need to know
- Google may eventually open up the Gemini to third-party speakers, with Walmart likely being the first.
- The new On speaker listing reveals the Gemini onboard, which features Google Cast for Audio support, smart home control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 10W driver.
- Although official pricing is secret, the ONN model is expected to undercut the price of Google’s own unreleased $100 Home speaker.
Looks like Google is opening it From Gemini AI to third-party smart speakers, and Walmart looks set to be the first to take advantage.
A new ONN smart speaker has appeared on the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) website, first spotted by a reddit user. The listing indicates Gemini is running inside, not the old Google Assistant we’re used to (via). Android Authority).
From the end of 2023, there is no third party Smart speakers using Google’s latest AI. The last flagships were JBL’s Authentics 200, 300 and 500, which came with Assistant built in.
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first of its kind
Now, Google is quietly focusing Gemini for Home has offered early access to its own speakers since last year. But until this leak from Walmart came to light, no third-party device has been launched with Gemini.
The CSA filing says it supports Google Cast for audio, smart home control, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, physical playback buttons, LED indicators, and a 10W driver. For those concerned about privacy, it also has a far-field mic array with a hardware kill switch. When you flip the switch, the mic turns off completely, no software involved.
The listing shows that the speaker has a compact, simple design, which matches Walmart’s affordable ONN products. There’s no price yet, but based on ON’s history, it’ll likely cost less than Google’s $100 Home speaker, which hasn’t been released yet.
It’s unclear when the smart speaker will be available. Walmart hasn’t made any official announcement, but the CSA listing suggests the launch could be coming soon. After all, the new Onn 4K Streaming Stick and Pro models have already quietly appeared in stores.
Android Central’s Tech
While it’s good to see someone other than Google leading the way, it’s a bit surprising that Walmart is in first place. I use “At a Glance” on multiple devices and am hoping Google opens up its best AI features. But putting the Gemini in a budget speaker feels like putting a powerful engine in a basic machine. While this is great for users who don’t want to spend more than $100 on a Nest, I wonder if the hardware can really keep up with the software.
