Samsung confirms plans for smartspeaker challenging Apple HomePod & Amazon Echo

Apple's HomePod.

In addition to premiering the Galaxy Note 8, Samsung on Wednesday said that it's working on its own smartspeaker, which will face off against products like the Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo, and Google Home.

An announcement could happen "soon," Samsung mobile president D.J. Koh told CNBC. Koh provided no additional details, even whether the device will use Bixby, the voice assistant found on the Galaxy S8 and Note 8.

Samsung has set high ambitions in the smarthome space, aiming to connect not just typical accessories but full-scale appliances like refrigerators. Bixby is expected to be a linchpin, though it will also likely have to interact with competing smarthome accessories.

Amazon's Echo speakers have been a surprise hit and the model for rival products. Apple's HomePod, shipping in December for $349, will take a slightly different tack by focusing more on audio quality. It will also serve as a HomeKit hub, potentially replacing an iPad or Apple TV for people wanting features like remote control.

One limitation could be the need for an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch during setup. The Echo and Home can be configured using iOS and Android apps.

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75 Comments

igorsky

said about 6 years ago

It's not challenging HomePod, at all.

rfrmac

said about 6 years ago

Why aren't we surprised. Copy, Copy, Copy is all they know. And be sure to introduce the product just before the others do their intro or product updates.

viclauyyc

said about 6 years ago

Is it that hard to come up another form factor for Samsung? Do they have to copy everything from Apple? Oh it is black. It is totally different from the Apple one.

Japan used to copy a lot of things from the west. But what they did is make the product a lot better than the original and make it cheaper.

The Samsung model is copy and make it slightly different and sell a little cheaper. Very similar to the Chinese model, copy, make it in low quality and sell it damn cheap.

fasterquieter

said about 6 years ago

The only thing Samsung ever announces that is of even vague interest to me is improvements to their SSDs and other components. Anything else triggers an involuntary eye roll.