Another smart speaker could be on its way, and this time, from Facebook

By Lulu Chang July 26, 2017

Amazon Echo Show Review Call — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The already crowded smart speaker space may just find itself with a yet another participant. According to report from DigiTimes, social media giant Facebook is working on such a device, potentially putting itself in competition with the likes of Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft.

As per the report, Facebook’s Building 8 research group is looking to create a smart speaker complete with a 15-inch touch panel. If true, this would essentially resemble a rather large Echo Show, the most recent smart home hub from Amazon. And by rather large, we mean very large. 15 inches is the size of one of the larger Apple laptops, which doesn’t seem to be the most suave design for a smart home device.

DigiTime’s rumor could of course be nothing more than just a rumor. After all, Facebook doesn’t even have a voice assistant at this point, and when asked for comment by the Verge, the company simply said, “We don’t have anything to share at this time.”

We should point out that while Facebook has made it big in the internet space, it has seen far less success in the hardware realm. While companies like Amazon managed to transfer seamlessly from online shopping to creating a virtual assistant by way of Alexa to creating a smart home hub by way of the Echo line, Facebook has been less fortunate. Back in 2013, the company attempted an Android phone known as the HTC First, which was centered around the Facebook News Feed. You probably don’t remember it because it did not do well. In fact, it was only on the market for about two months.

But this could all be water under the bridge for Facebook now, and DigiTimes claims that sources from the “upstream supply chain” say that Chinese iPhone manufacturer Pegatron is already building a smart speaker, with plans to launch in the first quarter of 2018.

If these reports prove out, the touchscreen device would likely serve as another way for you to access Facebook. You might be able to display photos on the large screen, or use it for video calling and other messaging (especially since Facebook Messenger is now such a popular platform.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Smart Home

Should you give a smart speaker as a holiday gift?

The Echo Dot Kids Owl and Dragon designs on a table.

With new Echos available, more Nest options than ever before, and a wide variety of third-party smart devices with excellent compatibility, now is an excellent time to think about giving a smart speaker as a holiday gift. That’s even truer as Black Friday approaches with its plethora of deals.

Smart speakers, equipped with voice assistants and able to connect to other smart devices, have a whole lot to offer around the home. But that doesn’t always mean that they make a good gift. There’s a lot that goes into using a smart speaker, which makes them a good fit for some people and a bad choice for others. These questions will help you decide if a smart speaker like an Echo, Nest device, HomePod Mini, or similar speaker is a good choice.
Do they mind talking to a voice assistant? Which one?

Smart Home

9 things you need to know about in-ceiling smart speakers

Herdio Speakers in a kitchen.

Most of the smart speakers we discuss these days are made to sit on counters, tables, or shelves (and sometimes to be carried around). However, there is another option for those who own their own homes: Ceiling speakers that are installed directly into the ceiling to give you built-in sound exactly where you want it.

If that option sounds interesting, read on to learn about ceiling speakers, what they can do, and why they’re a go-to solution for some smart homes.
Ceiling speakers save on space
Built-in speakers may sound like extra work, but they do have their advantages. Not everyone has room for a smart speaker where they would prefer to listen to music or podcasts. Others may not want a smart speaker set up in the same area they cook or where their children play. In cases like these, in-ceiling speakers stay out of the way while still providing the tunes people want.
These in-ceiling speakers also help with home design
Smart ceiling speakers are also much more customizable than traditional smart speakers. You don’t have to have a level surface nearby to use them. That means they can go anywhere you want to direct sound above or nearby -- an ideal solution for certain dens, home theater setups, playrooms, game rooms, and more. They can also be more easily painted without sacrificing sound quality, so you can make sure that they match the surrounding surface and blend in with the decor.
Smart ceiling speakers use apps or Bluetooth

Smart Home

7 things you didn’t know the Echo Show 15 could do

Amazon Echo Show 15 Smart Display on a wall.

The Amazon Echo Show 15 is currently the largest smart display on the market. At 15-inches on the diagonal, it's a massive device with a lot of functionality packed into its borders. The Echo Show 15 can do everything you expect other Alexa smart displays to do, including controlling your smart home, answering questions, playing games, and more.

But the features don't stop there. The Echo Show 15 has several lesser-known, almost hidden features that make it even more useful than it might seem at first glance.