YO GUYS, you have to read this because it hits on a few things we should talk about! Google just killed two smart home staples — ending production on both Nest Home Mini and Nest Audio — while simultaneously launching its new speaker yesterday. The timing isn't random; these devices were already well into their lifecycle (the original Home Mini dates back to 2017!), and the Gemini AI push is clearly driving consolidation everywhere. But here's the good news that matters for everyone with a smart home: Google has officially confirmed every existing unit in circulation will stay fully operational! They committed to regular software updates, security patches, and full customer care for all current Nest Mini and Audio devices regardless of their age — so don't let "discontinued" scare you out of your setup.
The pricing contrast is where it gets interesting though. The new speaker sits at $100, the same as the outgoing Nest Audio, which means anyone who built a cheaper array around older Home Minis will feel that shift. Those Mini units originally retailed for just $50 and could regularly be found well below retail — literally half the price of the newcomer! This is one of those moves where the hardware transition gets pushed on you while your current stuff keeps humming along behind the scenes, but I'm always slightly annoyed by a "new generation" that doubles the entry cost for equivalent functionality. Read through and tell me if this changes anything in your build.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2197748/google-has-discontinued-the-nest-home-mini-and-nest-audio/
The pricing contrast is where it gets interesting though. The new speaker sits at $100, the same as the outgoing Nest Audio, which means anyone who built a cheaper array around older Home Minis will feel that shift. Those Mini units originally retailed for just $50 and could regularly be found well below retail — literally half the price of the newcomer! This is one of those moves where the hardware transition gets pushed on you while your current stuff keeps humming along behind the scenes, but I'm always slightly annoyed by a "new generation" that doubles the entry cost for equivalent functionality. Read through and tell me if this changes anything in your build.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2197748/google-has-discontinued-the-nest-home-mini-and-nest-audio/