You heard that right! Facebook's smart speakers are coming soon
According to a recent report, Facebook is set to launch two smart speakers in July this year to take on the likes of Amazon's Alexa, Apple's HomePod and Google's smart speakers among several others. Codenamed, Aloha and Fiona, the two speakers will feature a 15-inch touch display and may offer some music functionality along with video chat and various social features. Here's our roundup.
Facebook's foray into the hardware game
Facebook's smart speakers will feature a 15-inch touch screen reportedly sourced from LG and will be assembled by Taiwan's Pegatron. Both Aloha and Fiona models have been designed by Facebook's Building 8 hardware lab, with the Aloha model said to be more sophisticated than Fiona. The Aloha model may be marketed as 'Portal' and will use facial recognition and voice commands to identify users.
From music to social interactions
The speakers are likely to sport front facing wide angle cameras to allow for video calls and identification functionalities. Also, given Facebook's recent contracts with Sony and Universal Music, these smart speakers may offer music related content apart from just social interactions with friends and family. Complimenting company's core business, these speakers do seem to align with Facebook's push towards video content.
Smart speakers are here to stay
According to estimates by a leading market research firm Canalys, the global market sales of smart speakers are likely to double in 2018 as against 2017 with sales expected to cross 50 million units this year.
Coming this July
According to reports, these speakers will enter markets latest by July, 2018. Facebook initially wanted to release the devices in May, but has decided to reschedule the launch to allow more time for perfecting the acoustics of the speakers and software modification. While much of the details are still in rumor territory, its price can be a deciding factor for consumers.
