Google Home now has a premium big brother. The Google Home Max is official and here’s everything you need to know about the specs, price and UK release date.
During its Pixel 2 event on October 4, Google announced two additions to its Home smart speaker range. Sitting either side of the original Home, are the Home Mini and the premium Google Home Max.
The larger, Google Assistant-powered device is likely to compete with the new Alexa-enabled Sonos One and the Siri-powered Apple HomePod and is priced as such.
Google Home Max Design, Features and Specs
The largest Home device to date looks much more like a traditional speaker like the Sonos Play:3. It has a white polycarbonate casing and a custom “acoustically transparent” fabric speaker grille that’s available in Chalk or Charcoal.
Related: Google Home Mini
It is designed to be used on its side, but thanks to some helpful magnets it can be stood up too.
The Home Max tech is headlined by two 4.5-inch woofers. Underneath a fabric speaker grille, Google has also packed in 0.7-inch tweeters, an acoustic brace and a range of far-field microphones.
So, even during booming audio, Google reckons the Home Max will be able to hear your voice requests.
Just like the Google Home Mini, there’s a strip of four white LED lights that will illuminate to acknowledge your commands to Google Assistant.
In terms of connectivity, Google Home Max will be Cast-enabled. Users will able to stream via Bluetooth and connect a device via a 3.5mm jack. It’ll also fit in nicely with any other Home devices you have your environment, meaning multiroom audio potential.
Google Home Max: What is Smart Sound?
Perhaps the most intriguing new feature is Smart Sound. The new AI software automatically adjusts the sound-levels depending on the environment. It has the ability to alter the audio depending on what you’re listening to, but it’ll also adjust volume if you’re in a noisy room.
Related: Google Pixel 2 vs Pixel 2 XL
Thanks to the Google Assistant you’ll also be able to ask the name of songs, just by humming the tune.
Google Home Max: How much will it cost and when can I buy it in the UK?
Unfortunately, Google is making this a US-exclusive for now. It will go on sale for $399 in December. The price-tag is softened somewhat by 12-month of free access to YouTube Red, meaning your ad-free streaming subscription is covered for the year.
The Home Max will roll out to other territories including the UK next year. Google is yet to confirm the UK price tag.
Will you be buying the Google Home Max? Can it win the battle against Apple HomePod? Share your thoughts with us @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
