When the Amazon Echo made its debut at the end of 2014, many people were unsure what to think of the device and what would come of it. Since then, it’s become a pretty compelling device thanks to all of the new features that Amazon has added, including support for Spotify and Uber. Apparently Google thinks it’s compelling, too, because the company is reportedly building its own version of the Echo.
A report from The Information claims that Google is working on a “voice recognition device” that’s meant to be a direct competitor to the Amazon Echo. Details on the device are light, but it’s said that Google’s Nest division wanted to be part of the project but were turned down by the person in charge of it.
It’s unclear when Google’s Echo competitor might launch, and today’s report cautions that the device may not come to market at all.
Google already offers voice recognition tech on Android with the “Ok, Google” hotword, and it’s one of the better voice assistants available. Considering both that and the praise that the Amazon Echo has gotten lately, it makes sense that Google would at least explore the possibility of its own Echo-style device. Such a product could use Google’s voice recognition tech and give Google another way to get into consumers’ homes.
Would you be interested in a Google version of the Amazon Echo?
