In light of the revelation that Google will announce availability for both Google Home and their mesh network Wi-Fi system here in Australia this week, we’ve been inundated with information (and some speculation) about availability and pricing.
Retail
To start with, the tips are pointing to retail availability of both Google Home and Wi-Fi on July 20th at retailers JB Hi-Fi and Office Works (we suspect Harvey Norman will be on-board too, but can’t get confirmation) as well as being offered for sale at Telstra and possibly Optus stores.
We’re also looking at Google making the products available through the Google Store, but we’re waiting on confirmation from Google on this one. Retail pricing has been listed as :
- Google Home – $199
- Google Mesh Router 1PK – $199
- Google Mesh Router 3Pk – $499
Carrier
Yes, it appears that Google will be doing deals with carriers for at least Google Home. There’s little to indicate that the mesh Wi-Fi product will show up at carriers, but we’re hearing that Home will be heading to at least Telstra, and possibly Optus as well.
According to tips, Google Home will be offered in a bundle deal with the Google Pixel as a bonus on selected eligible plans.
There’s also some murmurings that Optus staff may be doing training on Google Home as well, leading to the possibility of at least outright sales of Home through their stores.
Due to Telstra’s exclusive on the Pixel, it’s doubtful that Optus will be bundling Home with a Pixel. LG offered a bundled Home with the G6 in the US, so it’s possible we may see something like that with their handsets.
I was in at my local Officeworks last night and I quizzed the manager about availability, they looked a bit sheepish then said quietly they’d been told will go on sale the last week of this month, so thats fairly close to the 20th.
Australian news sources have started for assistant and Google home.
ABC news and The Australian now available as news sources.
As mentioned below, you can now use Home to start a vid cast by voice and I have just noticed that there is an Australian English set of choices under Add news sources. This includes The Dialy telegraph, Sky news, ABC sport and just about all of the AFL clubs. Seems that they are duilding out all the Aussie content we need.
wonder when we’ll see local news services integrated.
199 is pricey. It cost me less to airdrop one before Christmas last year. I did notice you can now link Stan accounts to use like you can Netflix.
As expected, way over the top in pricing, for both of them.
I wonder how long before Amazon launch the Echo Dot here. Could easily hit $50 on launch special, which is much more where it needs to be.
You think the Echo Dot which sells for US$50 normally will sell for $50AUD here? Maybe as a launch special, not as a regular price though.
I’m interested in Google Wi-Fi (not so much Home) but I hope to see Google Assistant turned on for Australia as well (oitherwise Home is pretty much useless).
At least the Google Mesh Router will be more cost effective than the Netgear Orbi. 3 x Mesh Routers for a cheaper price than 2 x Orbi Routers. I was going to bite the bullet and purchase the Orbi next week. But I think I will hold off now.
Currently Optus isn’t doing any LG from what i can see.
i feel 199 is a bit high for this new device class it should be $149 at the most. Amazon is going to come in next year and own it.