Google is Prepping a Tabletop Smart Screen Device to Rival Amazon's Echo Show

Google is working on a tabletop smart screen for video calling and more that will go up against Amazon's Echo Show, according to sources who spoke to TechCrunch.

The Google device is internally codenamed "Manhattan" and will have a screen size similar to the 7-inch Echo Show, said two sources, one of whom reportedly received information directly from a Google employee. The device is said to run a version of Android, meaning it could be capable of running third-party apps, with Netflix being mooted as a possibility.

amazonechoshow

Amazon's Echo Show device.

Both sources claim the device will offer access to Google Assistant, Google Photos, and YouTube – which goes some ways to explaining why the latter video service was unceremoniously pulled from Amazon's Echo Show on Tuesday.

Google's device will also reportedly work as a smart hub for controlling other connected smart home gadgets and appliances, similar to Amazon's new Echo Plus speaker unveiled earlier this week.

According to TechCrunch's sources, the original target launch date for the Manhattan device was mid-2018, but Google is apparently under intense pressure to get the product out the door before the end of this year, given that the Echo Show is already on the market. Google has a hardware event scheduled for October 4, but it's unclear if the device will make an appearance.

Other rumors floating about suggest the tech giant is readying an upmarket version of its Google Home smart speaker to rival Apple's upcoming $350 HomePod. Known internally as "Google Home Max", the "premium" device is said to feature stereo speakers housed in a high-quality design.

Thanks to leaks, we already know that Google will announce a mini version of its Google Home speaker at its hardware event, alongside new Pixel smartphones and a rebranded Google Pixelbook. But there's also talk of $159 Google-branded Bluetooth earbuds on the way with Google Assistant built-in.

Whatever the exact line-up of products the company drops on October 4, stay tuned to MacRumors for a full summary immediately following the event next week.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Includes Only a Few Changes So Far

Monday April 21, 2025 11:00 am PDT by
Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 18.5 to developers today, and so far the software update includes only a few minor changes. The changes are in the Mail and Settings apps. In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner. In the Settings app, AppleCare+ coverage information is more...

Top Rated Comments

Applebot1 Avatar
99 months ago
And guess what it will play Youtube;)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NexusUser Avatar
99 months ago

For example, I wish to set a 34 minute timer.

The Echo replies something like "Ok, I have set a timer for 39 minutes from now"
So you know it's understood 39 minutes correctly.

The Google replies something like "Ok, I have set a timer for five twenty eight"
Which may well be correct, but I prefer the echo as it repeats the time back to me, and not the end time.
You have to be careful with your phrasing on the Google Home/Assistant. If you say "set an alarm for 39 minutes" it will set it for a specific time, 39 minutes in the future. If you say "set a timer for 39 minutes" it will do a 39 minutes timer and give you updates on how many minutes remain if asked.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Karma*Police Avatar
99 months ago
Reminds me of the netbook craze.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bazooka-joe Avatar
99 months ago
Apple home pod is starting to look dated before its even released
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheRealTVGuy Avatar
99 months ago
And guess what it will play Youtube;)
Beat me to it....!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JRobinsonJr Avatar
99 months ago
Let me get this straight, and please think about this before you reply.

You are saying, electronic devices that operate by listening and understanding your speech are just a fad ?
Ha! Not at all. I love this new technology and am already taking advantage of it. Instead I was suggesting that APPLE is treating this like they do the TV... a hobby. Several Apple interviews have suggested that they see things like the Amazon Echo as a solution-looking-for-a-problem because we already have the iPhone in our pockets.
[doublepost=1507122721][/doublepost]
I think Apple missed the opportunity here. They didn't see what it could turn into, they though oh, we have time, we'll do something better and then TA-DAH! But while they were uninspiringly moving to where the puck was, Amazon took it further. If Google is scared so much that it shifts the release of its device half year ahead of time, that says something.
I see a huge potential here. A device that sits on your table always ready to answer/show/tell you whatever you need, answer your calls or call someone and all you need is just raise your eyes and look at it or ask! There's no need to take it in your hand or mess with unlocking like it happens with a phone. It's just a much more easier and intuitive process. You can continue to work on your desktop or do something else while talking. You don't even need to get up off your couch, you can do it even across the room, hands free. Personal video assistant, it seems so obvious now.
Spot on!

Apple SHOULD have lead this market. They’ve got the resources and the R&D dollars. Instead, they’re out goofing off around with electric cars and emoji. Yeah... I know it’s not quite that simple, but surely with all of their billion$ they could have invested a few people to push the envelope. This type of technology should be built into the TV where we can interface with it as a voice-only, or it can show responses on-screen. Heck... even the calling / video calling capabilities should be built into the TV.

Apple will get there. Hopefully it won’t be too late.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)