Google may be building an Amazon Echo Show competitor

Amazon’s Echo Show stands out from other smart speaker devices thanks to its large touchscreen, but it may soon stand out a little less because according to a report from TechCrunch, Google is working on a similar device.

Reportedly codenamed “Manhattan,” sources say the Google device will have a screen that measures in at around seven inches, just like the Echo Show. The new smart speaker will have the standard Google package on board, including YouTube, Google Assistant, the ability to control smart home devices, and support for video calls.

What’s more, this new smart speaker will apparently be running Android on board, which will make it easier for developers to create new apps.

Interestingly, Google apparently originally planned to launch the new Google Home sometime in mid-2018, but apparently the Echo Show has caused some internal pressure to get Manhattan out before the end of 2017. The report indicates that while Google is aiming for a launch before the end of the year, it may still arrive in 2018 anyway. There’s no word on pricing just yet, but you can guess about the price of Google’s Echo Show competitor in the comments below.

Would you pick up a Google Home-style device with a touchscreen?

source: androidandme