What you need to know
- Google could finally open up Gemini to outside speakers, and Walmart will likely be first in line.
- A new Onn speaker lineup reveals Gemini on board, with Google Cast support for audio, smart home controls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 10W controller.
- While the official price is under wraps, the Onn model is expected to undercut Google’s previously unreleased $100 Home Speaker.
Google seems to be opening its Gemini AI to third-party smart speakers, and Walmart It seems that he will be the first to take advantage of the advantage.
A new Onn smart speaker has appeared on the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) website, first spotted by a Reddit user. The list suggests Gemini running inside, not the old Google Assistant we’re used to (via Android Authority).
Since the end of 2023, there have been no third parties smart speakers using the latest AI from Google. The last big ones were JBL’s Authentics 200, 300 and 500, which came with the Assistant built-in.
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The first of its kind.
Now, Google has quietly focused on Gemini for the home and has offered early access to its own speakers for the past year. But no third-party devices launched with the Gemini until this Walmart leak appeared.
The CSA filing says it supports Google Cast for Audio, smart home controls, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, physical play buttons, LED indicators, and a 10W controller. For those concerned about privacy, it also has a far-field microphone array with a hardware kill switch. When you flip the switch, the microphone is completely off, with no software involved.
The listing shows that the speaker has a compact and simple design, matching Walmart’s affordable Onn products. There’s no price yet, but based on Onn’s track record, it will likely cost less than Google’s $100 Home Speaker, which also hasn’t launched yet.
It is not yet clear when the smart speaker will be available. Walmart hasn’t made any official announcement, but the CSA listing suggests the launch could be soon. After all, the new Onn 4K streaming devices and Pro models have already quietly appeared in stores.
Android Central’s opinion
While it’s nice to see someone besides Google taking the lead, it’s a bit surprising that Walmart is the first. I use “At a Glance” on several devices and was hoping Google would open up its best AI features. But putting the Gemini in a budget Onn speaker feels a bit like putting a powerful motor 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.
