Google's New Home Speaker Is Built for Gemini, but the Cable Limits Where It Fits

Google's new Home Speaker is finally here, and the first reviews point to a clear trade-off: this is a Gemini-first smart home device, not a straightforward Nest Audio replacement. An early unboxing surfaced before launch with one practical drawback already in view. The $99.99 speaker has a permanently attached power cable that runs about five feet, with a removable 30W power brick at the other end. If the cable frays, breaks, or simply is not long enough for the spot where you want the speaker, the design gives you less flexibility than a removable USB-C cable would. That choice matters because Google has pitched the new Home Speaker as easier to place around the house than the taller Nest Audio. A shorter, fixed cable adds a placement constraint of its own, especially for shelves, kitchen counters, nightstands, and entertainment setups where outlets are not always nearby. Built for Gemini, not bigger soundGoogle's new speaker is less about replacing a living room audio device and mor