Google will launch its first new smart speaker in six years as soon as next week, according to a company executive and a retailer listing — a development that importers and customs brokers should monitor for new product flows across multiple markets.
Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer for Google Home & Nest, sent an email yesterday (June 11) to Gemini for Home early access testers, stating: “For those of you who have been patiently waiting for a certain speaker… keep a very close eye on your inbox next week,” as reported by TechRadar. The email confirmed the imminent arrival of a new Google Home Speaker, teased originally at Google's Made by Google event in October 2025 with a "spring 2026" release window.
20-Country Rollout and Pre-Order Signals
The email also noted that the early access program resulted in over 2,500 bug fixes and a wider launch to 20 countries in 10 different languages. This multi-country deployment means customs authorities in those markets — including the United States, Canada, and major European and Asian economies — will need to process new entries for the device.
Best Buy Canada recently listed the new Google Home Speaker with a June 25 release date label, according to TechRadar. Shortly after, Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers began disappearing from the Google Store and third-party retailers, suggesting Google is clearing inventory for the new model.
Early Access Demand and Market Impact
The Gemini for Home early access program attracted 3.5 million sign-ups, indicating strong consumer demand. For trade logistics, this volume of pre-launch interest suggests significant first-wave import quantities. The device will compete directly with Amazon Echo speakers, which have dominated the smart home hub category for years.
| Key Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Launch window | Next week (June 25 per Best Buy Canada) | TechRadar, Best Buy Canada |
| First new speaker in | 6 years (since Nest Audio) | TechRadar |
| Rollout countries | 20 | TechRadar |
| Languages supported | 10 | TechRadar |
| Early access sign-ups | 3.5 million | TechRadar |
| Bug fixes | 2,500+ | TechRadar |
| Executive | Anish Kattukaran, CPO Google Home & Nest | TechRadar |
Trade Implications for Importers and Customs Brokers
The new Google Home Speaker represents a new product classification for many customs regimes. Importers should verify the Harmonized System (HS) code for smart speakers with voice assistant capabilities, which may differ from previous Nest Audio codes due to updated AI features. The 20-country rollout means parallel customs filings across multiple jurisdictions.
“I’m writing to you from my living room, surrounded by the same speakers, displays, thermostats and cameras in many of your homes. With over 100 of my own smart home devices connected around me and my family, I am deeply aware of the incredible potential and occasional inconveniences of smart home life,” Kattukaran wrote in the email.
For freight forwarders handling electronics from Asian manufacturing hubs, the June 25 launch date implies that shipments are already in transit or awaiting customs clearance at destination ports. Given that Google has not released a new smart speaker in six years, this launch will likely disrupt the existing supply chain patterns for smart home devices, particularly for Nest Audio and Nest Mini components.
What to Watch
Importers should monitor the Google Store for final product specifications and the official HS code assignment. Customs brokers in the 20 target countries should prepare for a wave of entries starting June 25. The next milestone is the official product listing and the start of retail shipments — likely within 7 days.
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