Skip to main content

Google is offering free donuts and Home Minis to people in select cities

Google Home Mini Review
Dan Baker/Digital Trends.com
Google recently announced its latest digital assistant, the Google Home Mini. The device was announced at Google’s Pixel event earlier this month and serves as a competitor to the Amazon Echo Dot. Of course, with Amazon having a bit of a head start in the smart speaker wars, Google will need a way to get people interested in the Home Mini and what better way than donuts?

Generally speaking, new tech and breakfast pastries don’t normally go hand-in-hand, but the small size of the Home Mini has inspired a unique marketing strategy in the form of the Google Home Mini Donut Shop.

Business Insider has reported that in order to market its upcoming smart speaker, the tech giant will be setting up donut shops at various locations across the country. Once you’ve entered the shop, you simply ring a bell, ask the Home Mini a question and then take your box. The box will either contain a Home Mini or two donuts. We’d imagine that the odds are stacked in favor of the donuts, but it’s still a fun marketing gimmick that highlights the small size of Home Mini.

In addition to the main attraction, there’s also the “Sprinkle Booth,” where customers can dance around in a shower of confetti. The last bit is kind of strange, but it also captures the somewhat fun brand that Google has managed to build for itself over the years.

In terms of the actual smart speaker itself, the Home Mini appears to function like most smart speakers and serves as a way for users to order groceries, find the answers to basic questions, and control various aspects of their homes simply via speaking. Our review found some of its functionality, like the voice recognition, to be particularly impressive. We also noted that certain areas, such as voice calling, lagged behind the competition, though.

The Google Home Mini Donut Shops are currently scheduled to appear in 11 cities across the country. The full list can be seen below:

  • Brooklyn: Oct. 20-22
  • Austin: Oct. 21-22
  • Oklahoma City: Oct. 28-29
  • Madison, Wis.: Nov. 2
  • Chicago: Nov. 4-5
  • Indianapolis: Nov. 4-5
  • St. Louis: Nov. 9

Editors' Recommendations

Eric Brackett
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Blink Mini Indoor Camera vs. Arlo Essential Indoor Cam
Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera privacy shutter

The Blink Mini Indoor Camera and the Arlo Essential Indoor Cam are two of the best indoor cameras of 2023. Both provide you with an easy way to keep an eye on your home while you're away -- but with two remarkably different price tags (the Arlo clocks in at $100, while the Blink Mini is just $35), you might be wondering if the Arlo Essential Indoor Cam is worth the added investment.

Before you rush off and buy either product, here’s a closer look at the Blink Mini and Arlo Essential Indoor Cam to determine which is best for your needs and budget.
Video quality

Read more
Why you should be using Google Home Routines
The Google Nest Hub Max.

If you’ve finally jumped into the smart home world by picking up a Google Nest Hub or other Google Home-compatible gadgets, you might think setting up Routines is something to postpone until you become an expert. After all, coming to terms with your new smart home might take a few days -- and Routines can often sound like a complex feature that’s best saved for a rainy day.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Routines are shockingly easy to use, and they allow you to harness the full power of your smart home. Here’s a look at what Routines are, how they work, and why you’ll want to start using them as soon as possible.
What are Google Home Routines?

Read more
What is Google Home?
Image of Google Home, 16:9 scale

Google Home is at the heart of Google’s smart home ecosystem. From video doorbells and security cameras to smart thermostats and smart speakers, Google Home gives you the versatility needed to control everything in your house. There’s a lot of nuance to the system, but getting started is simple -- just download the Google Home app to your smartphone, sync a compatible device, and you’re ready to start optimizing your daily routines.

Here's a closer look at everything you need to know about Google Home.
What is Google Nest, and how does it work with Google Home?

Read more