Amazon working on new Echo with better speakers in response to Apple HomePod

Apparently in response to Apple's HomePod announcement, Amazon is reportedly working on a new flagship Echo speaker that will improve on the original in virtually every respect.

The updated model will be "shorter and slimmer," akin to three or four stacked Echo Dots, Engadget said, citing a source on the matter. Despite this the speaker should offer better sound, using several tweeters instead of just one. The HomePod will sport seven tweeters when it ships this December.

Amazon is also said to be planning improved microphone technology, despite the current Echo using seven far-field mics — the HomePod will have six. One possibility is that the company is simply working on software and/or hardware refinements.

Design-wise, Amazon is said to be rounding the speaker's edges and adding cloth-like material. This should align the product with the look of both the HomePod and the Google Home.

Apple's HomePod.

Pricing is so far unknown, and the Engadget source noted that design could change by the time the product ships this fall. If Amazon can stick to a $180 price tag, it will retain at least one advantage over the HomePod, which will sell for $349.

Apple is aiming at a high-end audio market, however, looking to compete as much against Sonos products as the Echo and Home. The device will feature Siri support, and double as a HomeKit hub.

31 Comments

macxpress 5910 comments · 16 Years

About 7 years ago

I'd like to see how Amazon can match the HomePod in features and keep the same $180 price tag. If they want to retain the $180 price tag, something will have to suffer.

fasterquieter 90 comments · 9 Years

macxpress said:

I'd like to see how Amazon can match the HomePod in features and keep the same $180 price tag. If they want to retain the $180 price tag, something will have to suffer.

Shouldn't be too much of an issue, given Amazon doesn't need any profit margin. The Echo serves mainly as a hook to get people into the Amazon ecosystem. Same as all their tablets. They were selling the cheapest tablet for $30 on Prime Day. That shows how much they care about profit from hardware.

gatorguy 24609 comments · 13 Years

sog35 said:

fasterquieter said:

macxpress said:

I'd like to see how Amazon can match the HomePod in features and keep the same $180 price tag. If they want to retain the $180 price tag, something will have to suffer.

Shouldn't be too much of an issue, given Amazon doesn't need any profit margin. The Echo serves mainly as a hook to get people into the Amazon ecosystem. Same as all their tablets. They were selling the cheapest tablet for $30 on Prime Day. That shows how much they care about profit from hardware.

but there are limits to losses they will accept per unit.

That's why the standard Echo isn't $99.

Ah, you are assuming they are taking a loss on each unit. I don't believe they are. You underestimate how inexpensively electronic devices can be engineered and built. When they first started building the Echo it might have been more of a break-even, even a tiny loss (leader). Nowadays I personally suspect they manage a decent profit on 'em, tho probably not anywhere close to Apple's lofty segment-leading profit margins.

Metriacanthosaurus 880 comments · 8 Years

fasterquieter said:

macxpress said:

I'd like to see how Amazon can match the HomePod in features and keep the same $180 price tag. If they want to retain the $180 price tag, something will have to suffer.

Shouldn't be too much of an issue, given Amazon doesn't need any profit margin. The Echo serves mainly as a hook to get people into the Amazon ecosystem. Same as all their tablets. They were selling the cheapest tablet for $30 on Prime Day. That shows how much they care about profit from hardware.

That's not the full story. Amazon's tablets are absolute junk. I know. I have 4 them. Strictly for testing my apps with, and I hate everything about them.

cpsro 3236 comments · 14 Years

AppleInsider said:

Apparently in response to Apple's HomePod announcement, Amazon is reportedly working on a new flagship Echo speaker that will improve on the original in virtually every respect.

Amazon, don't set the bar too low!