Google HomeGoogle has launched its hands-free smart speakers, Google Home and Google Mini, in Ireland. While previously only available in two countries, the US and the UK, Ireland is now among five countries in which you can pick up the devices, alongside Spain and Austria.
Powered by the voice recognition capabilities of Google Assistant, this is Google's answer to the likes of Amazon's Echo/Alexa device. By simple voice command, it allows users to check their calendar, get weather information, look up recipes or play music.
Google Home and Home Mini will be available in stores nationwide for €149 and €59 respectively, as well as the online Google Store. They come in three colours - chalk (a light grey), charcoal (a dark grey) and coral, and the specially chosen coloured yarn covering the speakers has been selected to bring a sleek design to the device so it will fit in with many home interior schemes, rather than sticking out as another 'black technology box' according to Tríona Butler, the Tipperary-born, Silicon Valley-based Google Home Experience Lead.
Triona Butler with the Google Home Mini, at its launch in Landsdowne Place | Picture Colm MahadySpeaking at the launch of the event at Landsdowne Place, Tríona said: "Ireland has always openly embraced new technology and I’m excited to see Google Homes in Irish homes very soon. As a nation we’ve always put friends and family first, and these devices will help continue that tradition by freeing up time to spend with the ones we love.”
In honour of the move into Ireland, the devices have been given some local slang, so you can have some fun asking them what the craic is (it's 90, according to Google), about the grand stretch in the evenings, its favourite limericks, and of course, what it thinks Mayo's chances are of winning the All Ireland this year.
