This new Google gadget is the personal robot slave you've always wanted

No, it's not the world's most advanced air freshener - this cylinder of shiny technology is the Google Home, a voice-activated "home product" that allows you and your family to... well, do a whole bunch of stuff.

Unveiled at the search company's developer I/O Keynote speech, here's what their rival to Amazon's Echo can actually do.

What is it?

About the size of a pint glass, the Home is a digital assistant: it's got a microphone, speaker and mighty impressive brain. 

Plug it up to your Wi-Fi connection and you'll be able to 'talk' to it, requesting the following functions. 

Control music playback

The Home can act as the central hub of your Google Cast network: if you've got a Chromecast or Chromecast Audio, you'll be able to tell the Home to play specific playlists, albums or tracks (controlled by Google Play Music) on any device you've got connected. 

Here's hoping we can put a block on it for any requests of "Home, play Nickleback". 

Search anything

Given that the Home is made by Google, this is feature is something of a given: by hailing the Home with a cry of "OK Google", you can ask it just about anything you'd usually punch into your computer or phone.  

Not only will Home understand your search questions, it'll also understand follow-up questions, and keep track of the context of your 'conversation'. Basically, if you ask it what time a certain film is on at your local cinema, you can then ask it to book tickets. Mental, eh?

Incorporate all of your Google apps

Gmail, Google Calendar, YouTube, Keep, Docs - any of Google's services you know and love (and probably fear) will be able to talk to the Home unit.

Want to check your inbox? Ask Home to read you any new emails. Can't remember when that important thing with those people is? Ask Home. Want to send that spreadsheet to your mate Chris? You get the idea. 

Control your actual home

We keep getting told that the 'Internet of Things' is going to take over our domestic world, but Home could actually make that happen. 

Compatible devices (like the Nest thermostat) will be controllable via the Home unit, letting you turn off connected lights, change the temperature of your house, turn on a security camera in your garage - whatever else you've splashed cash on really. 

There's no word on how much the Home will cost, nor when it will be available, but you can register your interest in getting one here.