I know that during the design of the original Pixel laptop, things like physically powering down and disabling the camera, rather than doing it in firmware was important to the team at Google. I wonder if they have maintained that vigilance.
One presumably pays money for a device with Google's name on it through which all of your network traffic flows, and you're worried about a microphone?
(I well and fully get your point, I'm just amused that, in the bigger scheme of things, a microphone is the problem here.)
People care more about their physical privacy than digital, as they should be. Google snooping on my packets is less intrusive than a camera or microphone in your home, looking/listening at you.
What are you suggesting exactly? Presumably the buyers are happy to have a product with the described features, which include "Google Assistant", which answers to your voice.
Speaker is the standard term. Amazon describes the Echo Dot as a "Smart speaker with Alexa". And this is how Apple describes the HomePod:
"HomePod is a breakthrough speaker that adapts to its location and delivers high-fidelity audio wherever it’s playing. Together with Apple Music and Siri, it creates an entirely new way for you to discover and interact with music at home. And it can help you and your whole family with everyday tasks — and control your smart home — all with just your voice."