Google's Gemini-powered Home Speaker drops to $79 at major retailers

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Google's Home Speaker, which launched in June as the company's first smart speaker in several years, is now selling for $79 in all four colors at Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, a $20 discount. The speaker is smaller than the previous Nest Audio yet delivers loud, clear 360-degree sound, though reviewers found the Amazon Echo Dot Max had a fuller tone and stronger bass. It supports Matter and includes a Thread border router for controlling compatible smart home devices, and it can serve as audio output for the Google TV Streamer 4K. Its Gemini integration handles natural language and multiple smart home commands better than the older Google Assistant, though it can be slow at times. Some features, including Gemini Live, require a $10-per-month Google Home Premium subscription.

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