Google Discontinues Nest Mini and Nest Audio: Welcoming the New Home Speaker
Google has officially ceased production of its smart speakers Nest Mini and Nest Audio, marking the end of a significant chapter in its audio offerings for smart homes. This decision culminates with the launch and availability of the new Google Home Speaker, intended to replace both predecessors in the market.
The Nest Mini, released in 2019, served for years as the accessible entry point to the Google Assistant ecosystem. Sold at launch for under 60 euros, this compact device offered decent audio quality, stereo configurations, and support for Gemini for Home, acting as a substantial voice hub.
The Nest Audio, introduced in September 2020 at a significantly higher price, positioned itself in a higher range with a more generous format and distinctly improved sound quality. Its exit from the market was widely anticipated, given its long-standing presence and speculation about the arrival of an heir in the same price category.
Google confirmed to TechAdvisor the cessation of production, justifying the choice with a commitment to "refine its portfolio of Google Home and Nest devices while continuing to build the future of the smart home." This strategic evolution aims for a more coherent and updated offering, eliminating older models.
Google Home Speaker: The Successor and Its Specifications
The discontinuation of the Nest Mini, in particular, creates a gap in Google's budget-smart speaker segment, historically the affordable entry point to the voice assistant. Although existing devices will continue to receive full support (software updates, security patches, and customer assistance), hardware stocks will gradually deplete, making it challenging to purchase new units.
The new Google Home Speaker is already available for pre-order, with shipments expected next week, priced at 119 euros. It presents itself as a high-profile proposal, designed for a performing user experience and a modern design, aiming to overcome the compromises of previous generations in the field.
Under the hood, it integrates a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor with NPU, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of EMMC storage. The audio section boasts a 58mm full-range driver. For voice, it features three far-field microphones and a dual-stage hardware switch. It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, with touch controls and native integration with Gemini for Home.
Google's strategy for the smart home continues. The smart displays Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max remain on sale, while rumors suggest the development of a new "Google Home Display," indicating a possible future expansion of the range.