Amazon Introduces Echo Show With 7-Inch Screen And Video Calling

Today, Amazon announced its next product in their Echo lineup​. The Amazon Echo Show will combine Alexa, the virtual assistant with a 7" touchscreen to display video calls, weather reports, music lyrics and more.
The Echo Show features Dolby-powered speakers for music playback for "crisp vocals and dynamic bass response". It uses eight microphones to pick up your voice from any direction and integrates with compatible home security cameras to show the video feed on the screen.

Amazon also introduced Alexa calling and messaging, which is exactly how it sounds. Users will soon be able to place calls or send voice messages to anyone with the Alexa app installed on their phones, as well as those who have supported Echo devices.

The Echo Show is available for pre-order right now in black or white models. It will begin shipping to customers June 28.

Microsoft Cortana Joins Voice-Controlled Speaker Market With The Harmon Kardon Invoke

Harman Kardon accidentally leaked a web-page for their new product called Invoke. It is a speaker that uses Microsoft's​ digital assistant Cortana. The page has since been taken down, although the company did release a teaser video.

Harman Kardon’s Invoke is crafted from premium materials with a metallic speaker body delivering powerful sound a full 360-degrees. It will allow users to utilize Microsoft's Cortana to voice control their music, smart home devices, make and receive hands-free calls through Skype, obtain answers to questions and more.

With Apple and now Microsoft joining the voice-controlled speaker market, Research firms are predicting that the number of owners in the U.S. will double this year. Microsoft will reveal details about Cortana Skills Kit to developers at the Build Conference this week, however, the Invoke speaker is set for a release in "Fall 2017."

Apple May Announce An Amazon Echo Competitor With Siri In June.

Upcoming Amazon Echo Image Leaked With New Design And Touchscreen.

Upcoming Amazon Echo Image Leaked With New Design And Touchscreen

Amazon’s next Echo device is reportedly coming with a built-in display. A leaked image, shows the new device sporting a color display and possibly a camera.

The image shows the unit with a slant that angles upwards so that the 7" screen is visible when you look down at it. The user interface reveals a weather widget and what appears to be message notifications. Toward the bottom, there is a carousel that should allow users to swipe through to see additional information. Below the display is the speaker grill that will reportedly output better sound than the current Amazon Echo. Above the display, there appears to be a camera that could used similarly​ to the recently announced Echo Look.
According to reports, this product is codenamed “Knight,” and will be the company's "flagship Alexa device.” It is expected “later this month” with a price tag over $200.

Apple May Announce An Amazon Echo Competitor With Siri In June.

Apple May Announce A Siri Amazon Echo Competitor In June

Apple could announce an Amazon Echo competitor at the company's developer conference this summer.

According to analysts, one of Apple's next products will be a high-end speaker with Siri built-in. It will be aimed at the premium market, featuring a better audio experience, computing performance and a higher price tag. The reports also suggest that the speaker will be able to control home appliances through Apple's HomeKit.

Consumers have been waiting for Apple to enter the digital home assistant market since Amazon and Google found success. Siri made her way from mobile to desktop, it would only be natural for her to find a place in the home.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference begins June 5.