Microsoft Set to Unveil Amazon Echo and Google Home Rival

Microsoft has set the tech world abuzz with plans to launch its own rival to the Amazon Echo and Google Home smart speakers. The tech giant is aiming to break into the smart speaker market next year through a promising partnership with Harman Kardon, an audio company soon to come under Samsung’s umbrella. The goal is to introduce a speaker that mirrors the functionality of Amazon Echo and Google Home, but with Microsoft’s intelligent assistant, Cortana, at the helm.

In terms of aesthetics, a sneak preview of the voice-activated speaker has been provided courtesy of an enticing video released by Microsoft. The cylindrical shape is reminiscent of the designs we’re familiar with from Amazon Echo and Google Home, but with a distinct edge. What sets it apart is a visually captivating display on top, adorned with an electric blue circle that lights up as Cortana processes your request and delivers answers.

As Google steps up its commitment to the Internet of Things (IoT), Microsoft, too, is carving its niche by collaborating with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) hardware to harness the potency of its Cortana Devices SDK. The idea is to enable Cortana’s integration into a new generation of smart, personal devices – designed to function on no screen or on the big screen, perfect for home or mobile use. This parallels Google’s Android Things initiative where IoT devices can capitalize on some of Google’s heavy-duty services like its Cloud and AI (Google Assistant) platform.

There is currently no specific launch date for this new Cortana enabled smart speaker other than sometime in 2017. Any further updates on the subject are promised by Harman Kardon, Microsoft’s official partner for this endeavor.

What stands out about Microsoft’s approach is their strategy to not brand devices for this new venture, quite unlike their competitors. For now, the company is set to compete in the smart device arena through partnered devices, thus providing a unique twist to their market entry strategy. While it doesn’t mean they won’t brand their own hardware in the future, for now, they have settled on this partner-focused plan, potentially signalling a new trend in technology competition.

This planned rollout marks a significant move by Microsoft, not only launching a competitive alternative to the popular Amazon Echo and Google Home devices, but also expanding the reach of Cortana into the home automation and IoT sectors. We will surely witness a fierce battle in these spaces as Microsoft embarks on this exciting venture. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.