Tag: June 2025

  • Google Confirms New Home Smart Speaker Spring 2026

    Google Confirms New Home Smart Speaker Spring 2026

    Key Takeaway

    – Google confirms new smart speaker launch next week via a company email.
    – Release date is likely June 25, aligning with a previous Best Buy Canada listing.
    – Priced at $100, available in four colors: Berry, Hazel, Jade, and Porcelain.
    – Features a squished Apple HomePod mini shape and can pair with Google TV Streamer for surround sound.


    At I/O last month, it was a widely anticipated that Google would unveil details regarding its upcoming smart speaker. However, no such announcements materialized during the event itself. A recent listing from a retailer did indicate a June 25 release date, which does align with Google’s initial promise of a Spring 2026 launch window. As it stands now, a brand new update straight from Google has confirmed the product’s launch for the very next week.

    Email Confirmation and Release Details

    A check-in and thank you email, which was sent from Anish Kattukaran, who is the Chief Product Officer of Google Home & Nest, it reached our inbox and likely the inboxes of many other users too. This particular email talks about the various developments concerning Gemini for the home and also thanks customers for they’re continued feedback. Right at the end of the email, it states, “those of you who have been patiently waiting for a certain speaker… keep a very close eye on your inbox next week.” This is a pretty clear hint at the upcoming device.

    Timeline and Retailer Listings

    This is likely the very same Google Home Speaker that was first teased back in October of last year, with a previously announced release date was set for Spring 2026. Since the spring season is almost over, Google has now finally decided to share a concrete release timeline. Just recently, a Best Buy Canada listing showed up which originally had a June 25 release date. That date has since been changed to simply read “Coming soon.” It is a possibility that Google will make the official announcement for the new smart speaker between June 15 and June 22, and then sales will actually start on June 25.

    Design, Colors, and Pricing

    The Google Home Speaker will have a completly different shape compared to the old Google Nest mini speaker, it looks more like a squished up version of the Apple HomePod mini. The device will allow users to pair two of them together with a Google TV Streamer to achieve a full on surround sound experience. There will be four different colors avaliable to choose from, which are namely, Berry, Hazel, Jade, and Porcelain. Interestingly though, the Best Buy listing only shows off the Hazel and Porcelain color options. The speaker is going to be priced at $100.

  • Six Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass June 2026

    Six Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass June 2026

    Key Takeaway

    – Xbox Game Pass adds new games monthly, but also removes titles regularly.
    – Most games stay on the service for 6 to 18 months, but some leave earlier.
    – Once a game leaves, it’s no longer available via subscription unless purchased separately.
    – Subscribers can buy departing games at a discount before they are removed.


    New Game Pass departures announced

    Microsoft realses a fresh bunch of games to the Xbox Game Pass library every month, giving subscribers lots of new titles to download and play. For instance, last month alone, the company added a total of 23 games across the Game Pass catalog. However, while new games continue to join Xbox Game Pass, a handful of titles also exit the service every month.

    Typical stay duration and recent removals

    In most cases, a game remains available on Xbox Game Pass for anywhere between six and 18 months, though some titles can leave even earlier depending on licensing agreements and publisher decisions. A few days ago, five games left the service, including popular titles such as Against the Storm and Persona 4 Golden. And now, Microsoft has revealed another batch of games that will be removed from the service in mid-June.

    What happens after removal

    Once a title leaves Xbox Game Pass, it can not longer be accessed through an active subscription unless it is purchased separately. And if you’re disheartened about any of the games leaving, you’ll be happy to learn that Xbox Game Pass members can grab these titles at discounted prices before they leave the platform. Microsoft offers special discounts on games that are about to be removed from the service, giving subscribers an opportunity to permanently add them to their library at a lower price.

    Sources