What you need to know
- Google may eventually open up Gemini to third-party speakers, with Walmart likely to be the first in line.
- Onn’s new list of speakers reveals the Gemini, equipped with Google Cast for Audio support, smart home controls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 10W driver.
- While official pricing is under wraps, the Onn model is expected to undercut Google’s own $100 Home Speaker, which hasn’t yet been released.
Google seems to be opening itself up Twins Third-party smart speakers include AI and Walmart appears to be the first beneficiary.
A new Onn smart speaker has appeared on the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) website. Reddit user. Points to the list Twins It’s not the old Google Assistant we’re used to, it works inside (via Android Authority).
Since the end of 2023, there have been no third parties smart speakers It uses Google’s latest artificial intelligence. The last major ones were the JBL Authentics 200, 300 and 500, which came with built-in Assistant.
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The first of its kind
Now Google is quietly focusing Gemini for the house and last year offered early access to its speakers. But until this Walmart leak, no third-party devices launched with Gemini.
The CSA document states that it supports Google Cast for Audio, smart home controls, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, physical playback buttons, LED indicators and a 10W driver. For those concerned about privacy, it also has a far-field microphone array with a hardware kill switch. When you turn the switch, the microphone turns off completely, no software.
The listing suggests the speaker has a compact, simple design that matches Walmart’s affordable Onn products. There’s no price yet, but based on Onn’s history, it’ll likely be cheaper than Google’s yet-to-be-released $100 Home Speaker.
It remains unclear when the smart speaker will be available. Walmart hasn’t made any official announcements, but the CSA listing suggests the launch could be coming soon. After all, the new Onn 4K streaming sticks and Pro models have already quietly appeared in stores.
Android Central’s Take
While it’s nice to see someone other than Google leading the way, it’s a little surprising that Walmart came first. I use At a Glance on several devices and was hoping Google would unlock the best AI features. But putting the Gemini in a budget Onn speaker feels a bit like putting a powerful engine in a basic machine. While it’s 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 what the software can do.
