Google is working on a standalone hardware device that will integrate the company's search and voice assistant technology, reports Recode.
According to sources, the product is said to be similar to Google's smart home enabled OnHub wireless router and is set to compete against the likes of Amazon's Echo.
OnHub wireless router (Image: Google)
Google declined to comment on the rumor, but the project, said to be known internally as 'Chirp', is expected to be officially announced at next week's Google I/O developer conference, where voice search and intelligent personal assistance are to take center stage alongside the company's latest forays into virtual reality.
In 2014, Google acquired connected device company Nest, which reportedly had its own designs for an Echo competitor running Google's search technology, but scrapped the plans because of concerns over consumer privacy.
After launching the Echo over a year ago, Amazon announced in March two new additions to its lineup of voice-controlled smart hubs that house the company's personal assistant, Alexa.
Tags: Amazon Echo, Google I/O
Top Rated Comments
It's 100% untrue. The chart you provided? Yeah, it doesn't support what you said either. That chart shows Google's revenue is primarily ad generated. We all knew that. It does not show, nor is it an indicator of Google selling user information to advertisers. That's not me being pedantic. It just isn't true. Google does datamine. So does everyone else, including Apple. Google sells ad space to advertisers based on anonymized user data. Advertisers have no idea who you are or why their ad is placed on your screen.
If Google sold user information, they would be out of business. Why would Google sell their most valuable commodity? If advertisers have your information, they don't need Google.
Chirp: I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that.
You: I said plea-
Chirp: Just kidding. Spam imminent.
I don't think anyone is arguing that Google's main business model is advertising.
It's data mining to put relevant ads in front of you. No one sees your information except for you.
Some people should really research what retargeting, remarketing, and other advertising techniques before putting on a tin foil hat of ignorance.
It's not just on here. Many of my friends who don't know any better think that Facebook (for example) is following them around and that's how/why they are seeing an Ad for a product they just viewed on Amazon. No. Facebook isn't following you in this instance. Amazon likely placed a cookie on your computer and then is buying advertising on Facebook and serving up a contextual ad based on whatever item you were just looking at.