ISSUE 44 • ANDROID ADVISOR 73REVIEWbattery would be handy, but you’d be forever re-
charging it. A rubber base (in the case of our black
review sample a cool orange colour) stops it slipping
on the surface. Here you’ll also find a switch to turn
off the microphone, should you want some privacy
for whatever reason.
It feels very nice to the touch, but unfortunately
with the key touch feature disabled you’re unlikely to
be jabbing it too often. It’s just as easy to control the
volume by saying ‘Okay Google, volume up’ or ‘Okay
Google, volume 50 percent’ from wherever you stand
as it is to walk up to and physically tap either side of
the device, though these controls are very sensitive.
Audio quality
Inside the Google Home Mini is a single 40mm driver
that offers 360-degree sound. It’s bigger brother
has three 2in drivers, so let’s just say we weren’t
expecting great things from the Google Home Mini
in terms of audio playback.
We were surprised. The Mini is loud enough to fill
a room with sound, provided it is positioned carefully.
It also does a great job with highs and vocals, and is
perfect for playing the kind of pop music you find on
mainstream radio stations, but it falls down further
down the spectrum. It’s not a bass speaker. If you want
that you want the Google Max (which comes out in
the UK next year).
So, while many users will be more than happy with
its audio capabilities, audiophiles’ ears will bleed tears
that even Google Assistant cannot comfort.
We jest. Sort of.