According to the article, “Google Nest Mini Review", Pino (2020) stated that being a multipurpose speaker, Google Nest Mini also connects to the smart homes, utilizing Google Assistant. Users are able to control it by speaking to it or connecting their phones through Bluetooth. It comes in a variation of colours such as “Chalk (off-white) or Charcoal (grey-black)”. Using a fabric mesh for the top, it covers three buttons; two for volume and the last for play/pause. A microphone mute button can be found near the power port, by the rubberized base. Users can also hang the speakers on the wall easily. To switch to a smart device that connects to smart homes, users would be required to set up and use Google Assistant. With a simple command from the user, in the range of the device, the action will be carried out. That being said, the Google Nest Mini truly stands out compared to its competitors with its affordable price, improved voice recognition, and "great mid-range clarity".
One way the Google Nest Mini stands out is in terms of its price. The Google Nest Mini costs around "$49.99 / £49 / AU$79, but is often on sale for just $35 / £35" in different regions, which is relatively low, compared to the others in the market (Pino, 2020). The speaker is built with Bluetooth features, microphones, an on-board processor, and the speaker itself. Furthermore, it seemed that the majority of the speakers are incomparable in terms of features and size. Taking these components into consideration of the quality and brand that the users are paying for, it definitely is one of the cheapest smart speakers available.
With the improved voice recognition, the Google Nest Mini appeals more to users. The voice recognition was upgraded with the installation of "far-field microphone" (Schoon, 2019). Having a third microphone allowed it to focus on the user's commands by tuning out the background noises. Furthermore, some commands can be processed at a faster pace as Google had shrunk the information for understanding commands. A good voice recognition system plays a huge part as the Google Nest Mini is the connection to the user and the smart home. Therefore, making the smart system outstanding from its competitors.
The "great mid-range clarity" is another outstanding feature that is advantageous. The upgraded microphones give users a 360 degree sound system experience (Vigderman and Turner, 2020). The 40mm driver plays a part in creating clear audio for the users. Despite being smaller in size, "3.85 inches in diameter and only 1.65 inches tall", the Google Nest Mini functions well with some of the upgraded features, such as the microphones. Therefore, it does not lack when it comes to comparison in the aspect of the audio system.
In conclusion, the Google Nest Mini is an amazing product for users who are looking for a multipurpose speaker that is compatible with Google Assistant. Despite being small, it functions extraordinarily with the features. It has a unique design and comes in a variation of colours. The selling points of the Google Nest Mini includes its value for money, excellent voice recognition, and clear mid-range audio system. Therefore, the Google Nest Mini is the perfect device for users who are seeking for a multipurpose smart speaker.
References
Lacoma, T. (2020, October 1). The most common Google Nest Mini problems, and how to fix them. DigitalTrends. https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/common-google-nest-mini-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/
Pino, N. (2020, October 1). Google Nest Mini review. TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/sg/reviews/google-nest-mini
Schoon, B. (2019, November 18). Nest Mini Review: Why Google's latest smart speaker is worth buying. 9To5Google. https://9to5google.com/2019/11/18/google-nest-mini-review/
Vigderman, A. & Turner, G. (2020, July 3). Google Nest Mini Review. Security.org. https://www.security.org/smart-home/google/review/nest-mini/