Walmart’s Gemini speaker leak suggests Google is opening up its ecosystem again

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• A new Onn smart speaker from Walmart has surfaced early, and it appears to run Google’s Gemini instead of Assistant.
• The listing on the Connectivity Standards Alliance website confirms key features like Google Cast for Audio, smart home controls, and a built‑in mic with a kill switch.
• This could mark the return of third‑party smart speakers powered by Google’s newer AI assistant, though launch timing remains unclear.

The last major third‑party smart speakers to ship with Google Assistant built in were the JBL Authentics lineup — specifically the Authentics 200, 300, and 500 — which debuted in late 2023. Fast forward to 2026, and the Assistant era is nearing its end, with Google shifting focus to Gemini for Home, which has been in early access on its own smart speakers since last year. So far, no third‑party speakers have launched with Gemini baked in, aside from a handful of older Assistant models that received a Gemini upgrade. Now, it looks like Google may be reviving the era of third‑party smart speakers powered by its own digital assistant.

Onn Smart Speaker Listing

The listing for the Onn Smart Speaker reveals that it’s a Gemini‑powered device and includes an image of the hardware. Key specifications highlighted in the listing are:

• Audio playback and smart‑home control capabilities
• Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Seamless media streaming via Google Cast for Audio
• Physical playback controls and LED indicators
• 10 W power output
• Far‑field microphone array with a hardware kill switch

Potential Launch Timing

It’s unclear when Walmart will launch the speaker, but it could arrive alongside the new Onn 4K streaming stick and Onn 4K Pro, which have already been spotted on store shelves despite no official announcement. It’s also possible the speaker will be released later, as Google’s own $100 Home Speaker has not yet hit shelves. However, an official listing on the Connectivity Standards Alliance suggests a relatively near‑term arrival.