When Google launched its first smart speaker back in 2016, it was already well behind its Seattle-based rival, Amazon. The e-commerce and cloud computing giant had already unleashed the Echo, Echo Tap, and Echo Dot. With the launch of Google Home Mini, Google made a comeback, intending to give a tough fight to the likes of Amazon’s Echo Dot and other smart devices.

The Google Home Mini is an attractive device and has a richer feel than its counterparts. The device looks like a cloth-covered pebble and it is small enough to fit in your palms. Cloaked in coarse fabric, it is available in colors of coral, chalk, aqua, and charcoal.

Setup
You need to have a Google account and the Google home app installed on your phone before setting up the Google Home Mini. Once it connects with the Wi-Fi of your home or office, all you need to say is “OK Google” or “Hey Google” for the smart device to recognize your voice and link it with your Google account. Once this setup is complete, it is up to you to decide the extent of your dependence on it and how much it can do for you.

Here’s what Google Home Mini can do :

• It has all the capabilities of its predecessor, Google Home. It includes an extra feature called “voice match.” Once set up, the mini uses this feature to match the voice and detect who is asking for information.
• You can set up shortcuts to give the Mini specific directions for a particular task. For instance, creating a shortcut for Michael Jackson videos on YouTube and simply saying “Hey Google, make me dance” will play the saved videos.
• Google has also introduced an interactive feature for children’s entertainment called “family link” which consists of games, beatboxing, storytelling, and much more.
• You can also make Google Assistant work with a number of smart home devices simultaneously. It can lock your doors, turn off lights. It also allows you to play movies on Google Play; a feature not available in its predecessors.
• The hands-free calling feature allows you to make phone calls to anyone on your contact list, assuming they live in the USA, Canada, or Mexico.

In conclusion, the Google Home Mini is ideal if you are looking for a small, affordable ($49) device to assist you in your daily activities. It is loud enough for its size, it can be streamlined with other Home devices but it cannot be used as a foundation for smart devices for your home or office.