We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
The dust has barely settled on the latest "Made by Google" keynote, and while everyone is busy talking about the new Pixel phones and the Pixel Watch, some with sharper eyes noticed something... odd. Front and center on a side table during the segment that featured F1 star Lando Norris, appeared a small, round speaker that looked suspiciously familiar.
It was so familiar, in fact, that it caused a collective double-take. It looked almost exactly like an Apple HomePod Mini, except it couldn't be.
F1 star Lando Norris sits beside a suspiciously looking smart speaker. | Image credit — The Verge
Now, let's be perfectly clear: this was a Google event. There is absolutely no chance that the company would use a competitor's flagship smart speaker as set dressing. That just doesn't happen. So, what was it? The device we saw was a small, spherical speaker that seems to share the same fabric-covered aesthetic as the rest of Google’s Nest lineup. Its diminutive size, however, immediately brings Apple's popular compact speaker to mind, which has left us with a lot of questions.
Recommended For You
Would you be interested in a Nest mini device from Google that has good audio?
Yes
88.24%
No
11.76%
34 Votes
The Apple HomePod Mini has carved out a successful niche for itself by offering surprisingly robust sound and deep Siri integration in a very small footprint. It acts as a smart home hub for HomeKit and fits seamlessly into Apple's ecosystem. Google’s own Nest Mini is a great, affordable entry point for the Google Assistant, but it has never been praised for its audio prowess. It’s a utility device first and a speaker second. If this mystery device is what we think it is, Google could be preparing to launch a direct competitor to the HomePod Mini—a compact speaker that doesn't compromise on sound.
Pixel 10: now $109 off at Amazon
$109 off (14%)
The Tensor G5-powered Pixel 10 delivers great performance, excellent camera capabilities, and many AI features. At the moment, you can get select 128GB variants for $190 off at Amazon.
Looking for a more flagship Pixel 10 experience in a compact form factor? Consider the Pixel 10 Pro! Right now, you can get the phone for $105 off in select 128GB models.
Users after a larger screen and a serious Gemini AI prowess should consider the latest Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. The latest big-sized Google Pixel flagship is now $139 off its original price. Keep in mind that only select models are on sale at that price.
I'm of the opinion that this is almost certainly not an accident. Companies know that eagle-eyed fans will scrutinize every frame of their presentations, and this feels like a deliberate, soft tease of a future product. A "Nest Audio Mini," if you will, would perfectly fill a gap in Google's current hardware lineup.
It would offer a high-quality audio experience for those who want something smaller than the Nest Audio and better sounding than the Nest Mini. We have no official confirmation, and this is most definitely a guess, but it might look like Google is getting ready to answer Apple's challenge in the small speaker space, and that’s a very exciting prospect.
$5/mo off for 5 years on Visible premium plans
$30
/mo
$35
$5 off (14%)
New members get $5/mo off the $35/mo Visible+ plan or $5/mo off the $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 60 months when they port-in from an eligible carrier. Use code 5OFF5 at checkout to save up to $300.
Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: