Google is working on a new Nest-branded smart speaker that will blend in among other fabric-covered Google Assistant-enabled devices and challenge Sonos' offerings in the smart home arena.

According to a 9to5Google exclusive, the hands-free speaker, codenamed "Prince," was created to challenge the Sonos One, one of the best overall smart speakers in premium audio hardware.

While the contents of the Prince speaker have yet to be revealed, 9to5Google says it will be display-less and "a noticeable upgrade from the original Google Home," which has not been refreshed or updated since its introduction in 2016.

9to5Google also states that the speaker's performance will be somewhere between Google Home and Google Home Max, more in line with the new Nest brand aesthetic.

The Google Nest Hub Max review and the Google Nest Mini review detail the design and packaging direction the company took with its smart home speakers last year Google owns Nest and its smart home division. chose to keep its branding.

One of the best Google Home speakers, the Sonos One is a popular choice for audiophiles who want to incorporate smarts into their sound systems; the Amazon Echo Studio did not take that title in the fall, but perhaps Google 's attempt at a high-end speaker will win.

Nevertheless, the battle could be tricky. Google and Sonos are entangled in patent infringement lawsuits and counterclaims: in January, Sonos accused Google of stealing its audio hardware, and this month, Google said Sonos stole its controller app, which was launched with the Sonos Radio and Sonos Arc soundbar He stated that Sonos stole the software idea for the controller apps launched with the Sonos Radio and Sonos Arc soundbars.

Neither case has been settled out of court, but the debut of the new devices could escalate the stakes.

The report does not say when the next Nest speaker is expected to arrive; just as the Nest Mini was announced alongside the Pixel 4 lineup, the new Nest could be announced alongside the long-rumored Pixel 4a, as well as the Pixel 5

The new Nest is likely to be announced alongside the long-rumored Pixel 4a as well as the Pixel 5.