Google's smart speakers "Google Home" and "Google Home Mini" released in Japan

Google will release smart speakers "Google Home" and "Google Home Mini" in Japan. It is announced that it will also be handled by au. "Google Home" will be sold for 14,000 yen (excluding tax, the same applies below) from October 6, and "Google Home Mini" will be sold for 6,000 yen from October 23.

Google Home is a smart speaker that allows you to play music, search, set alarms, operate smart devices, etc. by saying "OK, Google". "Google Home Mini" is a small model with the same function, and "Google Home" is equipped with a speaker that supports deep bass, so you can enjoy music playback with higher sound quality.

All processing is done on the cloud, and there are four main functions: "find out what you want to know", "help with tasks", "enjoy music", and "operate smart devices". You can enjoy music with clear sound and deep bass with better sound quality while considering the exterior so that it fits easily into the interior of the room.

Even if it's noisy to some extent or it's far away, the two microphones installed in Google Home and software processing such as noise reduction make it possible to properly pick up and operate the user's voice. Voice data recognition and appropriate answers are all processed on the cloud side, not on the Home itself.

The hardware is the same as the one released overseas, but the technical suitability mark has been acquired. There is a mute button on the back of the microphone. It is under consideration whether a timer can be set for muting the microphone. There is a touch sensor on the top, and you can adjust the volume by tracing it in a circle. Press and hold to play / stop. Press and hold to call the Google Assistant.

The size of "Google Home" is 96.4 x 142.8 mm, it is cylindrical, and it weighs 477 g. The length of the power cable is 1.8m. Supported audio formats are HE-AAC, LC-AAC +, MP3, Vorbis, WAV (LPCM), FLAC. The power supply is 16.5V / 2A and an adapter is included. It has a micro USB port, but this is for maintenance. Settings can be made with the "Google Home" app provided for Android and iOS. The cover "Google Home Base" at the bottom of Google Home will be available only in Google's online store from October 6th. The price is 3000 yen for coral (fabric) and 4500 yen for carbon (metal) and copper (metal).

The "Google Home Mini" has a diameter of 98mm, a height of 42mm, and a weight of 173. The length of the power cable is 1.5m. The lineup includes three colors: chalk, charcoal, and coral. Supported audio formats are HE-AAC, LC-AAC +, MP3, Vorbis, WAV (LPCM), FLAC. The power supply is 5V, 1.8A, and the microUSB port is the power supply. A power adapter is also included in the package.