Google Home Mini review – CNET

 If you want something from the internet, you Google it. We’ve been doing it for decades — more than a trillion searches per year by Google’s own estimates. Google is so good at it that it gets to be its own verb.

But then came Alexa, the virtual, voice-activated assistant in the Amazon Echo smart speaker. People started getting what they wanted from the internet just by asking for it. Soon, Amazon doubled down with the Echo Dot, a much smaller smart speaker with an irresistibly low $50 price tag. After yielding Amazon a two-year head start, Google finally released the Google Home to compete with the Echo, but Amazon had already captured a daunting share of the market. Even more problematic — the Echo Dot had quickly become an even bigger hit than the Echo had been.

All of which brings us to October of 2017, and the arrival of the Google Home Mini. It’s the product of a company that’s still in catch-up mode, a verb that’s trying to remain present tense in a category that’s evolving rapidly. And, like the Echo Dot, it’s a very good product.

Continue reading →

More coverage

Google Home Mini makes voice controls fun

After months of rumors, Google has officially launched a smaller version of its Google Assistant-equipped smart speaker.

Walmart offers sneakpeek of Google Home Mini

Is a cheaper, smaller Google Home Mini on its way? A Walmart preorder page, which was quickly taken down Tuesday, offers a clue.

To beat Alexa, Google needs to stop following Amazon’s lead

Google is expected to unveil a device similar to the Amazon Echo Dot on Wednesday, but it has the pieces in place to do more.

Google Home ‘Max’: Is Home getting supersize, stereo-ized?

Google is developing a larger, premium, stereo-speaker-equipped version of its smart Home gadget, says a report.

Pixel 2, Pixelbook, Home Mini: Everything Google that leaked

Hey Google: Your devices are showing.

Google Home Mini reportedly will take on the Echo Dot

According to Droid Life, the trimmed down smart speaker will make its debut at Google’s upcoming Pixel 2 launch on Oct. 4.