A report today claims that Google is working on a new version of Google Home to ensure that it’s something that can compete more effectively against the Amazon Echo. The company came out with this $129 device just last year and it’s part of Google’s growing portfolio of devices that are meant to find a place in your home. Today’s report suggests that the new Google Home that’s now being developed is going to have Wi-Fi mesh networking support.
Citing “a person with knowledge of the project,” The Information reports that the new Google Home is going to have Wi-Fi capabilities built-in. This means that it will be able to double as a router and also be part of a big Wi-Fi mesh network.
The scribe also hears that Google wants to have complete coverage of Wi-Fi in the house with this product and its goal is to get more of its devices in customers’ homes that can do more. Coverage of Wi-Fi remains a huge pain point and it’s looking to address that with the new Google Home.
It goes without saying that the new device will have Assistant built-in given that the existing Google Home already does.
However, given the additional functionality which requires extra hardware, it’s very likely that the new Google Home might be more expensive than the $129 price tag that has been slapped on the existing model.
Google hasn’t said anything officially about this just yet so take this information with a grain of salt for now.
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