Google Home price, release date, features
Google's Home wireless speaker Google

Google has started an initiative it calls a Preview Program for its voice-activated smart speaker. The scheme lets Google Home-owners try out new features and updates before their official release.

Ostensibly a platform for Google to test new firmware before a broader roll-out, Preview members are guaranteed updates to the Google Assistant-powered smart speaker that are "the same quality as production version updates".

Home joins Google's Chromecast range as a possible Preview device, although only a limited number of places are available for would-be early adopters. To sign up, simply follow the steps below;

If the option listed do not appear then it seems you are currently out of luck, with Google noting on a help page: "If you don't see [the] Preview Program, we aren't accepting new members at this time."

How to join Google Home's Preview Program

  1. From your phone or tablet, open the Google Home app.
  2. In the upper right corner of the home screen, tap Devices to see your available Chromecast and Google Home devices.
  3. Scroll to find the device card for the device you'd like to enroll in the Preview Program.
  4. In the top right corner of the device card, tap the device card menu.
  5. Tap Settings > Preview Program.
  6. Choose whether to receive email notifications by moving the slider to the right or left.
  7. If you opt in to email notifications, you will be asked to sign into your Google account if you have not already.
  8. Review the contents of that page, and tap Join Program.
  9. Review the contents of the page, then tap OK, GOT IT. ​