Google Rumored to be Working on Product to Rival Amazon Echo
American multinational technology company Google is rumored to be building a new product that will rival the Amazon Echo, a hands-free speaker that can be controlled with the voice. The device is a smart speaker powered by artificial intelligence and can answer questions, read audiobooks and news, play music and more using the Alexa Voice Service. With such impressive features, it's no wonder why Google might want to come up with their own version.
According to a report by The Information, Google is planning on the "secret" project but the reference did not give away any details yet regarding the product's features, the potential pricing and the release timeframe. But it did cover a report on how Nest, the company that Google purchased in 2014 for $3.2 billion, asked to be part of the said project. However, the source claimed that tensions with Nest has made Google decide to build the product with its own team, turning away Nest to take the lead of developing the purported Echo-like gadget.
As for the reason of the rejection, Fortune reported that it's not clear but it may have something to do with Nest's mired product development and Google's growing derailment with the company. It is noted that Google develop the OnHub Wi-Fi router on their own because of Nest's delay, although they made use some of Nest's technologies.
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Silicon Angle also reported that Nest Chief Executive Officer Tony Fadell is accounted for the poor rapport of the two companies. It said that Fadell is described as putting constant pressure on employees and treating them unprofessionally. Sources also say that Nest is going through a high rate of attrition and this was verbalized by founder Matt Rogers who revealed that he was "losing sleep" because of the departure of staffers.
Google has not made any direct comment on the issue yet. As for the alleged product, fans will have to keep update if Google will in fact produce an Echo-like device.
