This week Amazon boosted its Echo line up to nine specific devices, perceivably filling the need for every possible use case.
Recent rumours have suggested Google is on a similar track. A Google Home Mini and a Google Home Max have both leaked in the last couple of weeks.
Now it appears the company might be adding a touchscreen to the equation in order to compete with the Amazon Echo Show.
Related: Google Pixel 2
According to TechCrunch sources, the device will have a 7-inch touchscreen enabling access to YouTube, Google Photos, Duo video calls and the Google Assistant.
The report says it’ll also act as a smart home hub, a la the Google Home itself, but with touchscreen controls for things like smart lights and locks.
Before the end of 2017?
It’ll apparently run Android, which will make it easier to add existing apps. Perhaps tellingly Google revoked the Echo Show’s access to YouTube this week.
The sources say the device, codenamed Manhattan, was originally scheduled for mid-2018.
However, given the Echo Show’s presence (Amazon just released it in the UK following the US-only launch), there’s now ‘internal pressure’ to get Google’s rival out this year.
Incidentally, Google has an event on October 4 where we’re expecting to see the new Pixel phones. The Google Home Mini and Max are also candidates for an appearance.
Are there already too many of these devices on the market? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.