Amazon's next iteration of the Echo speaker will be a "premium" model that includes a touchscreen measuring around seven inches, marking "a major departure" from the tall, cylindrical design of the Echo currently on sale. The company is said to be upgrading Echo for two reasons: to capitalize on the device's success, and as early preparation to "fend off competition" from Google Home and Apple's rumored entry into the smart home speaker market (via Bloomberg).

The logic behind adding a touchscreen to Echo is reasoned as a way "to make it easier to access content," like the weather and upcoming calendar events. Currently, Echo is a voice-activated device with limited volume and mute buttons on its topside. While the exact design of the speaker wasn't pinned down, people familiar with the plans said it will be larger and "tilt upwards" so users can read the screen when the Echo sits on a kitchen counter or desk.

amazon-echo

The new device will have a touchscreen measuring about seven inches, a major departure from Amazon’s existing cylindrical home devices that are controlled and respond mostly through the company’s voice-based Alexa digital assistant, according to two people familiar with the matter. This will make it easier to access content such as weather forecasts, calendar appointments, and news, the people said. They asked not to be identified speaking about a product that has yet to be announced.

Amazon’s planned expansion of the Alexa-powered line coincides with growing competition from Alphabet Inc.’s Google Home speaker and Apple Inc.’s interest in building a home device using its Siri digital assistant.

The upgraded Echo is also believed to get a major boost to speaker quality and "sound much better" than the current line of Echo speakers. One version of Amazon's prototype of the upcoming device placed the speakers below and behind the screen, which is said to help the new generation of Echo "play high-quality audio at all volume levels." The current Echo was designed to sound better at only moderate volume levels.

In total, Amazon is now selling the Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, and Amazon Echo, for $50, $130, and $180 respectively, and the upcoming speaker -- believed to be announced as early as Q1 2017 -- is expected to be the most expensive Echo in the line.

On Apple's side, the most recent reports placed the Cupertino company's Siri-fueled, Echo-like device in the prototype phase. The Siri speaker is expected to include the usual support for music playback, search queries, and dictation, with additional potential for new technology, like facial recognition.

Top Rated Comments

DaveOP Avatar
112 months ago
"Fending off competition" sounds like a euphemism for "these aren't really as popular as the tech press thinks".
I don't know, I am pretty surprised how many of my non techy friends have these. Alexa has become really mainstream. I don't know anyone with Google home, and I certainly wouldn't be interested in a Siri device unless she becomes much more intelligent.

My $39 Echo Dot has been a lot of fun to have. At the very least, shes a fantastic alarm clock and weather bot. Her voice recognition is much better than my iPhone 7+, and can hear me from much farther away.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnipgnop Avatar
112 months ago
"Fending off competition" sounds like a euphemism for "these aren't really as popular as the tech press thinks".
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
112 months ago
I don't know, I am pretty surprised how many of my non techy friends have these. Alexa has become really mainstream. I don't know anyone with Google home, and I certainly wouldn't be interested in a Siri device unless she becomes much more intelligent.
That's an interesting thought. I like Siri, and I like my iPhone. But would I pay for Siri? No. No I would not pay for Siri.

It would be nice to have an Alexa type device made by Apple, but like you said, Siri is going to have to get a whole lot better before it becomes a successful standalone product.

My ideal device would be one with Siri that lives plugged in on the wall. It can listen to a whole room of audio and respond, it's a WiFi and BT range extender for HomeKit relays, and it covers the room with wireless power for charging mobile devices. It would also have a few sensors that could be used as triggers for HomeKit, such as temperature, humidity, light level, and motion. The tricky part is getting the price down. The Apple TV is a good comparison here. They might be able to create such a device in the $99-199 range. The problem is a typical home would probably need at least three of them, if not more. An apartment could get away with one or two.

Perhaps Apple is getting out of the AirPort business because they want to start selling something like this instead and AirPort is just a feature. But looking at the pricetag on an AirPort and you can see the problem. Maybe it's more like a basestation and the smaller sensors with microphones positioned around the house are cheaper and relay Siri commands back to the main hub for processing?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
okboy Avatar
112 months ago
Sounds like a desktop computer?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Romy90210 Avatar
112 months ago
Competition from Apple?? WHAT COMPETITION???????? HANDICAPED SIRI???????
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmgregory1 Avatar
112 months ago
I'm not convinced that there is a need for yet another so-so quality speaker / stand alone internet query device - because isn't that what an iPhone / Android phone is?

Everyone in my family carries their own device, and we have both a Bose speaker and a multi-room home stereo for listening to music, so what's the point of having yet another device sitting out on the counter?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...