Google Leaks Hint at End of Nest Branding and New Smart Speaker Plans
Key Points
- Code in the Google Home app references a "Google Home Speaker" and "360 audio" feature.
- The naming hints at a possible shift away from the Nest brand for future smart speakers.
- A round speaker spotted in Pixel 10 promo material may correspond to the hinted device.
- References to "Google Home Premium" and "Google Home Premium Advanced" suggest rebranded Nest Aware plans.
- The lower‑tier Google Home Premium could be bundled with certain Google One subscriptions.
- Google One pricing starts at $1.99 per month, offering cloud storage, AI tools, and other perks.
- Enhanced alerts in the new plans can distinguish between a dog bark and a human voice.
- These moves indicate a consolidation of Google’s smart‑home hardware and subscription services.
Recent code analysis of the Google Home app has uncovered references to a "Google Home Speaker" and a "360 audio" feature, suggesting a possible shift away from the Nest brand for future smart speakers. The same investigation revealed mentions of "Google Home Premium" and "Google Home Premium Advanced" plans, likely rebranded versions of Nest Aware services, with the lower‑tier option potentially bundled into Google One subscriptions. Google One pricing starts at $1.99 per month, offering expanded cloud storage, AI tools, and other perks. These findings indicate Google may be consolidating its smart‑home ecosystem under a unified brand while enhancing subscription offerings.
Potential Rebranding of Google’s Smart Speakers
Investigators examining the Android Google Home app uncovered hidden references to a device labeled "Google Home Speaker" and a feature described as "360 audio." The naming suggests a return to the original Google Home branding, moving away from the Nest label that currently appears on the company’s smart‑speaker lineup. While details about the device remain limited, the presence of the "360 audio" tag hints at an upgraded sound experience for future hardware.
In addition to the code find, observers noted a small, round speaker that appeared in promotional footage from the Made by Google event that introduced the Pixel 10. Although the speaker was not explicitly identified, its design aligns with the description uncovered in the app code, reinforcing speculation that Google is preparing a new speaker under the Google Home moniker.
New Subscription Plans Tied to Google One
The same code analysis revealed references to "Google Home Premium" and "Google Home Premium Advanced" plans. These appear to be rebranded versions of the existing Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus services, which currently provide cloud‑stored video clips from Nest cameras and advanced alert capabilities. The upgraded alerts can differentiate between a dog barking and a person speaking, offering more intelligent notifications.
According to the findings, the lower‑tier Google Home Premium could be included as part of certain Google One subscriptions. This mirrors the current arrangement in the United Kingdom, where Nest Aware is already bundled with Google One. Google One itself starts at $1.99 per month (with comparable pricing in other regions) and supplies users with additional cloud storage, access to more powerful AI tools, discounts on the Google Store, and extras such as Fitbit Premium.
These developments point to a strategic consolidation of Google’s smart‑home and subscription services. By aligning speaker hardware, camera services, and cloud‑based benefits under the Google Home and Google One umbrellas, the company may aim to present a more cohesive ecosystem to consumers.