CSA
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.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
A Reddit user spotted Walmart’s unreleased Onn Smart Speaker listed on the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) website. CSA is a consortium of companies that helps create and implement universal open standards, such as Matter, for IoT devices.
CSA
The listing for the Onn Smart Speaker not only reveals that it’s a Gemini-powered smart speaker, but also shows an image of the device. It further reveals that the speaker supports audio playback, smart home controls, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and seamless media streaming via Google Cast for Audio.
... continue reading