Samsung to launch smart speaker in first half of 2018 Report
Samsung to launch smart speaker in first half of 2018 Report.
Samsung plans to launch a smart speaker to rival Amazon Echo, Google Home, and others, in the first half of 2018, according to Bloomberg. The smart speaker will use Samsung's Bixby voice assistant utilized in the Galaxy smartphone lineup, and aims to connect smart home appliances.
It's not clear what Samsung plans to call its smart speaker, however the report said it may be priced at $200 and harp on audio quality. Samsung's focus for the speaker is to be a hub for its SmartThings ecosystem and other Samsung devices including smart refrigerators and Galaxy smartphones.
Bixby, like Apple's Siri and Amazon Alexa, allows users to access information like weather, sports scores, news, traffic info, web services, and more with their voice.
DJ Koh, president of Samsung's mobile division, confirmed in August that Samsung is working on a smart speaker, but didn't provide many details other than it's set to launch "soon." In September, BK Yoon, co-CEO and head of Samsung's consumer electronics business, said the company is working to combine technologies of its mobile division and audio component giant Harman to make the speaker.