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If you own an Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo Dot, at some point your device has overheard something you’ve said, mistaken it for the word “Alexa” and given you a wacky response to a question you never asked. It’s a weird, but somewhat ubiquitous experience for most Echo owners. If this only happen to you once in a blue moon, however, consider yourself lucky. For anyone who owns a third-party Echo device – like say this is much more frequent occurrence ... or at least it was. Starting today, Amazon is making the same Cloud-Based Wake Word Verification algorithm the Echo and Echo Dot use available to third-party hardware makers that will make it so these devices will only respond to the word “Alexa”. Here’s how it works: Alexa will start listening any time it thinks it hears its name, but it won’t formally process and respond to the request until the device checks in with cloud voice recognition software that it actually heard “Alexa” and not something that sounds like it. According to Amazon, the process is almost instantaneous and it shouldn’t slow down or delay Alexa’s response time in any way. Say what now?In more or less words, devices like the Triby Bluetooth speaker (a device that comes with Amazon’s Alexa built-in) will no longer mistake words for “Alexa”. That will mean less frustration for everyone and fewer times you get a weird, unsettling response from Alexa for a question you didn’t ask. If this story sounds like it has the perfect makings for a comedy segment, you’re right. Too bad Saturday Night Live beat us all to the punch: Via The Verge The best cheap Amazon Echo deals for May 2017http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/i49h6KQMqK8

For those that love their Macs but just can’t away from Windows 10 for either work or play reasons, the macOS Sierra 10.12.5 update is for you. With the fifth major update to macOS Sierra since its release, Apple has at last enabled the Boot Camp version of Windows 10 to more easily receive the Creators Update that started rolling out to Windows 10 PCs in early April. This means that Boot Camp users can install the Windows 10 Creators Update without the need for physical media (i.e. a USB disk image), as was the case before. If you wanted to get the Creators Update onto your Boot Camp machine before macOS 10.12.5, you’d have to download the update to a disk and install it manually through the Boot Camp Assistant. Take a gander at the best laptops you can buy this yearThe best of the restAdmittedly, macOS 10.12.5 is a minor update, with the other highlights being more than welcome but honestly small potatoes. For instance, the update fixes reported audio issues for those with USB headphones, and vaguely increases Mac App Store compatibility with “future software updates.” The latter sounds like Apple is laying the groundwork for the next version of macOS, likely to be unveiled next month at its WWDC event in San Jose, California. That said, the update brings a litany of security fixes to bear, all of which are detailed on Apple’s support website right here. You can see the rest of the general macOS 10.12.5 update changes right here, too. Keep your eyes peeled for hints of the next macOS version to be found within this update in the weeks leading up to WWDC 2017. These are the best Macs that (lots of) money can buyhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/P-xH5YKjbQQ

At Build 2017 Microsoft gave us plenty to be excited about, including the next big update for Windows 10 and a pair of Mixed Reality controllers, but one conspicuous omission was any talk of Windows 10 Mobile. Despite the complete absence of Microsoft’s smartphone platform, it may well have released the best smartphone app yet. Windows Story Remix might be the linchpin of the Fall Creators Update for Windows 10, but in many ways it reminds us of numerous other mobile apps. The basic functionality of the app pulls together all of your images and video – stored both on a Windows 10 device or OneDrive – and automatically stitches them together into short videos. It’s a feature we’ve seen in other apps like Apple Clips, Facebook Moments, and even as far back as the HTC One M7’s Zoe feature. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RUYDvsgB2VE3xxEcdXxuyK.jpg Microsoft Story Remix leverages Microsoft strenght in AI-driven face recognitionOther element seems familiar too. We’ve seen collaboration done well in the Cluster app, while Strum transforms video clips into short music videos. That’s not to say Microsoft isn’t doing anything new or better with Story Remix, and the fact that it has squeezed all of this functionality into a single app is an impressive feat. The Redmond company’s long history with cognitive vision could mean you’ll never have to tag your friends and family another image. On stage, the software maker also demonstrated how users could easily change the focus of the video by clicking on another person to be its star. The ability to take virtual objects created in Remix 3D and place them into your video clips enables anyone to create with mixed reality media. Adding digital avatars and special effects to regular video are far more interesting than the text and image overlays we’ve seen in video editing apps thus far. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/enAjueyQ9rdUetvXjyGWPM.jpg It’s just a shame that the only way Windows users will be able to experience the app is on a Windows 10 device when the Fall Creators Update arrives. Yes, users can upload their images to OneDrive, but the vast majority of phone owners keep their own media stored on the same device they’ve used to capture it. While Microsoft tells us it expects the app to come iOS and Android, it has made no mention availability on Windows 10 Mobile – though it should be fully compatible as it is Universal Windows Platform compliant. Microsoft has never officially stated its done with Windows 10 Mobile, but the company has made it clear that it has made a fundamental shift in making the experiences of its apps great across all devices. A Microsoft spokesperson explained "Now, we're focusing on prioritizing our customers that also have an iOS or Android phone by opening up the benefits of Windows across platforms and delivering a continuity of experiences that meet our customers where they are." With other AI-driven apps like Pix and Selfie, plus a few other standouts like the Flow Keyboard and Translator, Microsoft is quickly building a unique suite of apps for other platforms. While it's great Microsoft is building mind share, we feel like its missing a great opportunity to launch a new version of Windows 10 Mobile. Of course, Microsoft would have to tackle other obstacles, like producing a standout smartphone and getting other apps onto the Windows Store, to make its mobile ambitions a reality. Catch up with the latest developments from Microsoft Build 2017http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ZnEoZdwNois

Well, the Amazon Echo had a good run as an ad-free platform – and all good things, as they say, must come to an end. The harbinger of the advertising apocalypse is a company called VoiceLabs and its plan is to tack on 6 to 15-second advertisements at the beginning and end of some Alexa skills. The platform helps advertisers setup “Sponsored Messages” and, according to VoiceLabs, users have generally not minded the interruption. It’s VoiceLabs’ goal to make the advertisements brief and unobtrusive for most users, but also "lead a consumer into an experience or converse with the consumer as they exit." Yep, conversational advertisements are now a thing apparently. So far, however, only two noteworthy companies have signed on to participate in VoiceLabs’ tests: Wendy’s (an American fast-food chain) and ESPN. So which apps can you expect to hear these ads on? So far Federated Media, XAPPmedia, TWiT.tv, Appbly and a few other developers have signed on board. How’s this going to work? Well, say you’re using one of the 327 sports skills on Amazon Echo or the Amazon Echo Dot. At the beginning of the skill, you might hear an ad that says “Welcome, thanks for listening and thanks to ESPN for sponsoring us.” So far, not so bad, right? Use the app a few more times and ESPN might inform you of a big sports event coming up before asking if you’d like to be reminded to watch it. (Though, from the sounds of it you’re welcome to politely turn down the invitation to tune in.) Here’s the good news: there are some very strict limitations on which apps can use Sponsored Messages – they can only appear in streaming music, radio or flash briefing skills and they can't use Alexa's voice to say them. What that means is the vast majority of the Echo's 13,000 available skills won’t be a target for new ads … well, for now, at least. While you wait for that to happen, there's always the Echo's rival, Google Home, to consider. Source: VoiceLabs Google Home vs Amazon Echo: the battle of the smart speakershttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ISbdmcmIu7Y

Sometimes a single emoji or sticker says it all when chatting online, but what if you could make your own custom ones with just a snap of your face? Google is introducing a new feature for its Allo chat app that uses neural network-generated illustrations to make emoji-style stickers out of any ol' selfie. Seems like a good use of the tech, right? By looking at your face, Google's algorithms can perceive details like your eye color, skin tone, and hairstyle to combine features supplied by creatives like Steven Universe storyboard artist Lamar Abrams into a coherent series of quirky stickers. According to Google, its neural network has enough features to make over 563 quadrillion combinations, ensuring that your emojis will be truly unique. Your stickers, your wayShould you want to tweak the cartoon "you" Allo creates, you can also customize your aesthetics in the app using a step-by-step process similar to the popular personal avatar creator, Bitmoji. You can also delete and make new sticker sets anytime, should you get a haircut, start wearing contacts, or make another change to your look. To use Allo's new selfie sticker-maker, hit the "+" symbol in the message composition bar, go to the sticker screen, then add a sticker set and select the "turn a selfie into stickers" option. You can also learn more how to use stickers and other add-ons to pep up your missives on Google's support page for Allo. The feature is rolling out now for Android users, with the iOS version to follow up later. Though a novel feature, Allo's latest is impressive and gives it something to match up against Snapchat and Facebook Messenger. With Allo struggling to gain traction, emojis generated by selfies (which we're all taking anyway, right?) could give Google's creation a much-needed fun factor. We expect to hear more updates on Allo at Google IO 2017http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/wwZ942nG25s

In a move that surprised many, Microsoft announced during its Build 2017 keynote today that it's bringing Apple's iTunes to the Windows Store. While PC owners running Windows have had the ability to download iTunes directly from Apple, this is the first time users get the media player directly from Microsoft's own digital marketplace. The announcement is also a head-turner because the Windows Store has a reputation for its underwhelming selection of apps, especially ones from platform competitors like Apple. iTunes is planned to hit the Windows Store by the end of this year and is expected to be fully functional, to include support for Apple Music. This also means that the Windows Store version of iTunes will support Apple devices on both Windows 10 and Windows 10 S PCs, which is handy for those who use the program to keep their iPhones up to date. Here's what's next for Windows 10http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/6FHAroMt8Jk

Taxi-calling firm Uber is rolling out a welcome update to its mobile apps: the ability to add custom saved places to the map, so you can quickly get a cab to your grandmother's house or to your favorite pizza joint. "Saved Places makes it easy to bookmark (and forget!) addresses so riders can get to the people and places they need to see faster," explains Uber in a blog post. You can even name addresses with emojis, if proper words are insufficient. You'll be able to save a new place once you're en route to it in an Uber, and saved places are then accessible from the Where to? box that pops up whenever you're hailing a ride. You might even see a saved place as a suggestion if you go there often. Uber, take me to the bar"Riders repeatedly use Uber to get to just a handful of places - both for work and for fun," says Uber. "As you'd expect, in our early testing riders said that airports, hotels, and colleges are among the top use cases for this feature." You can already save your home and work addresses inside the app but you'll soon have much more flexibility - add your best friend's house, the bar you frequent most regularly, your kid's school or anywhere else you like. Uber says the feature is rolling out now on iOS and Android, but only in the US for the time being - the rest of us are going to have to wait until "later this year" to save places. Hopefully it shows up before the self-driving cars do. Here's how to check your Uber ratinghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/1pfr73c8HYU

A new Samsung patent appears to indicate that the company is working on a Bixby-equipped smart speaker in the vein of the Amazon Echo. The filing, which was reported by Patently Apple, shows a screen mounted above a slimline tripod suggesting the device is equipped with a display much like the recently announced Amazon Echo Show and Apple’s rumored Siri speaker. The move would certainly make sense. All the major voice assistant players have either announced, or are rumored, to be working on making a fixed speaker to house their smart AI. Amazon’s Alexa has the Amazon Echo, Microsoft’s Cortana has Harmon Karden’s upcoming speaker, and rumors are increasingly circulating about Apple building a Siri speaker. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uUQfwp8kgbigdHUedoNKNT.jpg (credit: Patently Mobile)A voice assistant without the voiceSamsung is already building out the ecosystem that a smart speaker needs, and its SmartThings ecosystem would allow such a speaker to act as a control point for your smart home. But Bixby as a voice assistant still lags behind the competition, and currently doesn’t even support voice commands outside of Samsung's native Korean. Samsung still has a lot of work to do on its voice assistant if it hopes to one-day make it the center of your smart home, but with the amount of interest voice assistants are currently getting it will be easy for the company to justify the continued investment. Check out the competition, the Amazon Echo, Invoke Smart Speaker and Apple Siri Speaker.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/Q1npIxElnr4

Never mind Microsoft Edge being locked as the default browser in Windows 10 S, as we heard last week – it's now emerged that Edge's biggest rival, and the most popular desktop web browser in the world, Chrome, won’t even be available to install on the lightweight version of Microsoft’s desktop OS. As we discussed last week, the central point of Windows 10 S is to restrict the operating system to apps from the Windows Store so Microsoft can better police security – but as spotted by ZDNet, the store’s policies will actually forbid Chrome (or other third-party browsers, such as Firefox) from gaining entry. Several sections in the list of Windows Store policies call for apps to “not jeopardize or compromise user security” (unsurprisingly), but more to the point, specify that: “Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate HTML and JavaScript engines provided by the Windows Platform.” So if Google did want to turn Chrome into a universal app for use with Windows 10 S, the browser wouldn’t be able to use its own engines. In other words, it wouldn’t be Chrome anymore, but just a shell of Google’s browser using Microsoft’s HTML and JavaScript engines. ZDNet also cited a developer who had sent their Chromium-based desktop browser to be approved by Microsoft, and had it refused, being told that browsers represent a particular security risk, and that: “They are secure only if, like Edge, they're true UWP apps, so they run in a sandbox environment and they don't have access to the overall system.” The upshot of all this is that while these store policies remain in place, Chrome – and indeed other third-party browsers – won’t be coming to Windows 10 S. Or at least, if they do, the apps in question will only be superficial lookalikes. Fair turnabout?As we touched on last week, you could argue this is fair turnabout: Google did, after all, build Chrome OS around its own browser, and it’s also a locked-down ecosystem (although these days, if you have one of the Chromebooks that support Android apps it’s theoretically possible to use a third-party browser, although there’s no guarantee it'll function smoothly). And Microsoft is certainly arguing that this is an important move in terms of the security of Windows 10 S, which is also a fair point. But it’s clearly also a major advantage for the company to keep its browser rivals away from its desktop OS. Microsoft further notes that folks can simply shift over to the full-fat version of Windows if they want more choice. The company stated: “If people would like to access apps from other stores and services, they can switch to Windows 10 Pro at any time.” It’s also worth bearing in mind that as well as Edge being locked as the default browser on Windows 10 S, Bing is locked as the default search engine, so you can’t switch to Google for your searches either. We’ve ranked the best Chromebooks of 2017 right herehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/jK37sf8alFA

Moved temporarily a few months back and physically a few hundred miles north compared to last year, Microsoft’s Build 2017 developer conference is nearly underway. With the first keynote set to start on May 10 at 8am PT (11am ET / 4pm BST / 1am May 11 AEST) from Seattle, Washington, Microsoft has plenty to chat about this year despite holding a major media event just last week to tout Windows 10 S and the Surface Laptop. The most notable topics we expect to see detailed are Redstone 3, the codename for Microsoft’s next major Windows 10 update, Project Neon, Microsoft’s visual makeover-in-progress for the operating system (OS), Cortana and even more mixed reality advancements. With that, here is everything we can bank on seeing during the Build 2017 keynotes starting May 10. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b72a42dbe379b88151e746cf5536d1e6.jpg Redstone 3 gets unearthedMicrosoft’s Windows Insider Program members are, technically, already testing out Redstone 3 as you read this. We know this because features that were originally slated for Redstone 2, i.e. the Creators Update, but missed the deadline are now in testing through the latest Insider Preview build of Windows 10 (as of this writing): Build 16188. Chief among those features left on the Creators Update cutting room floor is My People, a feature that brings your favorite contacts directly into the Windows 10 taskbar for easier file sharing and messaging. Expect to see more of this discussed on stage this week. Other major expected features to be detailed are PDF editing features in Microsoft Edge (already in the latest Insider Preview build), Power Throttling to reduce apps’ power draw on laptops and tablet PCs and further improvements to more transparent automated OS updates. We also wouldn’t be surprised to see Redstone 3 get its official name and, at the very least, a release window (if not a hard date) since Microsoft has promised two major updates annually. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8p62mEd5GLtCc4nTeRoN5j.jpg Cortana branches outThat Harman Kardon unveiled its Invoke speaker powered by Microsoft’s Cortana just days before Build 2017 is no coincidence. With the long-rumored rival to Amazon Echo and Google Home now out in the open, expect Microsoft to spend some considerable time on this initiative. In fact, controls for Cortana-powered speakers were already found within the earliest Insider Preview builds for Redstone 3. On that note, expect to hear a lot more about how far the Amazon Alexa-like Cortana Skills and device software developer kits have come since their announcement last year. However, we find it hard to believe that Microsoft will sit on these tools until Redstone 3 becomes a fancy-named update that hits every Windows 10 device. After all, don’t expect Amazon and Google – or even the rumored Apple Siri Speaker – to slow down over the next five months. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aLtkpMjXzRRzZPfyGga6zQ.jpg Project Neon ... or Aero Glass 2.0Microsoft’s fateful fall update should see the oft-teased visual overhaul to the Windows 10 interface known currently as Project Neon. In short, the new visuals bring back a lot of the translucent design elements found in the Aero Glass design ID that started in Windows Vista and were found throughout Windows 7 before being dropped for Windows 8. Furthermore, Project Neon markedly changes how Windows 10 animations in transitioning between apps look and feel. That said, early previews have stated that Neon is aiming for a simple aesthetic, so we’ll see how Microsoft achieves that balance with new animations in the mix. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d8zSyGnzM9X74YHMVebe2X.jpg Mixed reality gets a huge pushUnless Microsoft plans to give them a spotlight during its May 23 Surface event, Build 2017 would be the place to show even more of its partners’ head-mounted displays (HMDs). Having already shown off Acer’s HMD at length during the Taiwanese firm’s annual New York hardware showcase, it’d be surprising not to see already-teased partners like Lenovo, Dell and HP not take the chance to get the word out regarding their Windows 10 Holographic devices. Bonus round: maybe we’ll finally hear about price regarding any of Microsoft’s partners’ HMD devices. It’s a crucial point going into the holiday season, especially when it’s highly unlikely that either HTC or Facebook have 2017 hardware that can match that $299 starting price. These are the best 2-in-1 laptops aroundhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/6O6SZMDdgfQ

Hot from Amazon announcing a new addition to its Echo line of smart speakers, it appears Apple may not be far behind with a competitor of its own. Apple employees have reportedly been testing a Siri-powered smart speaker in their homes over the course of several months, sources familiar with the matter tell Bloomberg. This news comes just days after Apple chief of marketing Phil Schiller talked up the benefits of screens on digital assistant-operated hardware, which coincidentally occurred right before Amazon unveiled its touchscreen-enabled Amazon Echo Show. This fuels speculation that whatever Apple is cooking up in terms of smart speakers, it may come with a screen. However, Bloomberg's sources were unable to confirm if this is the direction Apple is heading with its so-called Siri Speaker. It's too soon to say for sure what Apple has planned to compete with the likes of Amazon Echo and Google Home, but we may get some more details soon. Apple's annual WWDC 2017 event is less than a month away, with the company's keynote planned for June 5 at 10am PST/1pm EST/6pm GMT. Google Home vs Amazon Echo: Which smart speaker is for you?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/jxcyje2SjDs

Microsoft apparently will confront the rise of smart speakers with a new kind of all-in-one PC, judging from leaked images and details of a Windows 10 HomeHub experience provided to The Verge. HomeHub, which first leaked late last year, is essentially an enhanced version of the Windows 10 lock screen that allows for deeper voice controls through Cortana and more pertinent information than any Windows lock screen has provided. Of course, the idea is for this new HomeHub overlay to be released in tandem with slightly specialized all-in-one computers through its device manufacturing partners, computers deliberately designed to be placed in kitchens and living rooms. Citing internal sources, The Verge reports that HomeHub will act as an always-on experience for touchscreen all-in-one PCs, with a digital drawing board being one of its primary features. The suspicion is that Microsoft is working with partners on devices comparable to that of the newly-minted Amazon Echo Show. However, those sources also allegedly say that any device running Windows 10 HomeHub must be a full PC, as that’s to be one of Microsoft’s key advantages over existing and future smart speakers. Finally, a place for the PC againMicrosoft’s goal here seems to provide a compelling reason to bring all-in-one PCs that were so popular decades ago back into consumers’ houses where laptops, tablets and phones have ruled for years. Further to that point will be features like calendar management, sticky notes and to-do lists as well as voice calls (likely through Skype). To really cement in whole “HomeHub” idea, the feature is expected to support Hue, Nest, Insteon, Wink and SmartThings devices, with Cortana able to issue commands to said devices. According to The Verge’s sources, Microsoft plans for these features to arrive in Windows 10 with the forthcoming autumn update due in September. As a follow-up, Microsoft reportedly expects HP and Lenovo to have such devices ready for the holiday rush. As for when we’ll officially see Windows 10 HomeHub and the various devices in which it will live, either Microsoft Build 2017 or its May 23 Surface event are fine guesses. The latest on the gorgeous Surface LaptopImage Credit: The Verge http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Wnt-QlpElRU

Amazon's Alexa may have over 10,000 skills, but that doesn't mean the digital assistant found in the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and other devices is done learning new tricks. Soon, Alexa will also be able to take calls and send out messages for you, whisking off your digital communiqué to other Alexa users with simple voice commands. Using this new skill is as straightforward as saying "Alexa, call Mom," or "Alexa, play back my messages," and is offered at no additional charge. Additionally, calling friends and family via Alexa is still an option for those without one of Amazon's smart speakers. According to Amazon, the digital assistant is able to reach just about any Alexa-enabled device, meaning that iOS and Android phones can also take advantage of the feature by downloading the Alexa app. The feature doesn't have a specific date for release just yet, but is expected to come out sooner rather than later. We expect it won't be too far behind, as Amazon's other recent reveal — the Amazon Echo Show — takes Alexa's newest feature to the next level with integrated video calling. Get a good deal on Echos and Kindles in time for Mother's Dayhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/GoocJKLYWe0

Amazon has finally announced the Amazon Echo Show, the first Echo device equipped with a screen. The Show follows in the footsteps of the recently announced Amazon Echo Look, which combined Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant with a camera that can take pictures and offer style recommendations. The Show is a radical departure from previous Echo devices as it can provide you with information visually (via its screen) as well as through sound; previous speakers were limited to using voice to communicate. Cut to the chaseWhat is it? The newest entry in Amazon's voice-activated line of Echo productsHow much will it cost? $230 (rumored to be £220 in the UK, and AU price tba)When is it out? June 28 and up for pre-order now on Amazon US with no official UK or AU release date yet announcedAmazon Echo Show release dateConfirming what was rumored earlier today due to a leak, Amazon has announced that the Amazon Echo Show will be released on June 28 in both the US and UK, with pre-orders open now in the US. That means you'll have to wait a month and a half to get your hands on the new speaker if you order it today in the US. Although the device is rumored to be coming to the UK simultaneously with the US, no official announcement about UK availability has yet been made. Since Australia is still yet to receive the Amazon Echo, we're not holding our collective breath for the Echo Show to make its way there anytime soon. Amazon Echo Show features As well as the Alexa voice assistant, which we've become familiar with thanks to its inclusion in existing Amazon Echo speakers and Amazon Fire TV devices, the Amazon Echo Show is equipped with both a screen and a webcam, which will allow it to both show you, as well as tell you, information. The screen is seven inches in size, and is touchscreen-enabled. It's capable of showing notifications, playing internet video, and showing lyrics on Amazon Music, among other things, and it can also facilitate conversations between different devices in the same house. It'll be interesting to see whether this functionality is expanded in the future to enable the Show to make voice calls outside of the home, as a pre-announcement leak from the WSJ suggested. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BLApDtPiBoodpsuVM9FheB.jpg The screen can also be configured to show a live video feed from elsewhere in the house through compatible third-party security cameras. In addition to the screen, the Amazon Echo Show is also equipped with a camera, as is the recently announced Amazon Echo Look. Amazon is pitching the Look as a style accessory, which will, for example, analyse your clothes in order to offer outfit suggestions. This functionality will presumably also be making its way to the new Amazon Echo Show, although this is yet to be confirmed. The Show is available in black or white color options. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Uxq5CyZXdKcAHeMkH7JeeB.jpg As well as this new screen and camera functionality, the Show is compatible with Amazon's existing library of skills, which range from ordering cabs with Uber to controlling smart lightbulbs and thermostats, although existing skills will be audio-only until they're made Show-compatible. The Show is equipped with eight microphones, which is one more than the existing Amazon Echo speaker. Given that the existing Echo is already pretty good at picking up our voice we're unsure why an extra microphone is needed, but it's a nice inclusion all the same. Finally, the new device is equipped with Bluetooth, so even if your music app of choice isn't supported natively (such as Apple Music), you can still stream it to the Echo Show. Pre-announcement leaksWe first heard rumors of the Amazon Echo Show a couple of months ago when Cnet reported that Amazon was planning on announcing a screen-equipped Echo device. That report claimed the device, which we now know to be the Amazon Echo Show, was planned for later in the year, but its release was pushed forward after fears that Google Home was progressing more quickly than expected. Then, just a few days ago, AFTVnews discovered a low-resolution image of the new device, codenamed the Echo 'Knight', on Amazon's servers. When it posted the discovery on Twitter, journalist Evan Blass responded with a much higher-resolution version of the same image. This week saw the leak of an announcement date of May 9, followed by a further leak of the price, release date, and name. Between all of these leaks we've built up a pretty good idea of what the new device should be capable of, and most of the leaks have now been confirmed by the official announcement. Check out our existing reviews of the Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/g949jntwAQM

The Amazon Echo Show could be with us very soon, if the latest leaks are to be believed. After images of a new Amazon device leaked online last week, it looks like the retail giant's screen-equipped Echo assistant might be set for a reveal later today, when pre-orders are tipped to open. And it looks like we now know the name of the new device, with a screenshot sent to AFTVnews revealing the Amazon Echo Show moniker. The leak also reveals an Echo Show price of $229.99 (around £219.99, AU$310), which is much more expensive than the $180 (£149.99, around AU$245) Amazon Echo. This makes a certain amount of sense, as the new device should contain all of the functionality of the previous Echo devices, while adding a screen for good measure. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VpiLaEQxqFvyf9hbYx22m7.jpg Amazon could be set to Show us something new today (credit: AFTVnews)Show, don't tellAs well as a screen, the new device is rumored to include a webcam, which perhaps points towards it having similar functionality as the recently annouced Amazon Echo Look, in addition to some form of video-calling functionality. Pre-orders will apparently start on the May 9, presumably in just a few hours time. Although the device originally had a later release date, a source recently told Cnet that its release was pushed forward, due to the rapid development of competitor Google Home. We have contacted Amazon for comment and will update this piece when they respond. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZfpnsRQjhoGakpZHec4P66.jpg A leaked image of the device. Credit: Evan BlassCheck out our reviews of the Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dothttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/vxZv9WNcrNI

The rumors about the new Amazon Echo, the one with a touchscreen and a camera, have reached a fever pitch. It’s a very good thing, then, that Amazon might be ready to lift the curtain on the product as soon as tomorrow morning. Amazon’s proposed plans to announce the device come by way of The Wall Street Journal who say that it could launch at $200 (about £150, AU$270) and can corroborate earlier reports that the device will be capable of video calling. Amazon’s new touchscreen device would come hot on the heels of the Echo Style, another Echo product that specializes in fashion analysis that Amazon announced last week and, potentially, share some of the same functionality. Two new Amazon devices in two weeks? It’s certainly a possibility. Twas the night before the KnightDespite weeks of rumors, we don’t know all that much about Amazon’s follow-up to the original Echo. So, what do we know? We know that it’s very likely to include a camera and a touch screen – two components that would radically change the way the Echo works. From the sounds of the WSJ’s report, though, it doesn’t seem like video calling would be available as soon as the new Echo comes out – instead, features would be rolled out 'in stages'. This would start with the ability to use two Echo devices in your home into an intercom system before eventually becoming a full-on Skype replacement, for example. While the report didn’t have a name for the product, we know from previous reports that Amazon has codenamed the product 'the Echo Knight'. Does that codename have a hidden meaning? We’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out. The next Amazon Echo might have a screen, but does it really need one?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/A9deNbvzupw

Fuchsia, the mysterious new operating system from Google, has taken another step forward, lifting the veil on its user interface. Screenshots have surfaced showing Fuchsia's UI so far, giving users and programmers alike their first real glance at Google's new OS, as reported by Ars Technica. Unlike Chrome OS and Android, which are built on Linux kernel, Fuchsia is based on a Google-made microkernel called Magenta. According to Google programmers, Magenta's focus is on "modern phones and modern personal computers with fast processors." Though it's currently just speculation, it's possible that Fuchsia could be the beginning of a new software standard for Google-made products. The search giant is rumored to be trimming the edges on its operating systems, as seen by it bridging some apps between Android and Chrome OS last year. As for Fuchsia, the new OS uses a current default system UI called Armadillo to build its layout and manage widgets. You can see how it compares visually to its Google-made kin in the images below: From first glance, Fuchsia maintains similar notes to Chrome OS and Android, such as clear-cut widgets and a colorful palette for windows on apps and notifications. Also noticeable are entire sections of the interface dedicated to Google's search functions and suggested content. However, you can get a better idea what sets Fuchsia apart when it's in motion, a such as in the video below, courtesy of Kyle Bradshaw of Hotfix.net: To be clear, Google hasn't stated any plans to actively replace Android or Chrome OS at this time, nor has it given a timeframe for when we might see its experimental new OS make its way to consumer products (if at all.) That said, as we near ever closer to the Google IO 2017 conference next week, we might be lucky enough to learn more about what the tech giant has planned for its latest creation. In the meantime, the open-source files are available via GitHub for any crafty coders looking to dive into Fuchsia for themselves. Top image credit: Ars Technica Could Fuchsia replace the recently announced Android O?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/zggHzF51x7g

Part of what made the original Amazon Echo such a surprising and original product was how it completely removed the touch-screen, which has become our default way of interacting with digital devices. But recent leaks point towards the next generation of Amazon Echo speakers coming equipped with a touch screen of their own, a dramatic change of direction for Amazon’s home-based voice assistants. Amazon isn’t the only company reportedly considering combining a screen with a non-portable voice assistant since Apple’s rumored Siri Speaker will also reportedly feature a screen. But wouldn't the move negate entirely what Amazon has attempted to accomplish with Alexa? Releasing a piece of consumer electronics without a screen was a bold move, and it came with some significant challenges, but until now we’d expected Amazon to persevere with improving its audio-based interface. Since the very first computers we’ve relied upon screens to provide the majority of their output, so it’s going to require some significant work to provide the same functionality through voice. In spite of the challenge, I was always hoping that Amazon would struggle through and do the hard work required to make it work. Releasing a device with a screen seems to imply that the company has, at least partially, thrown in the towel. Except Amazon has already conceded that certain actions will require a screen. Attempt to manage a to-do list using your Echo, for example, and you still currently need to use the Alexa companion app on your smartphone to tick off tasks as ‘done’. Want to change the default music player? You’ll need to dig into Alexa’s settings, on your smartphone. So where's this heading?It can be hard to think about the end-goal of an initiative like the Amazon Echo because nothing like it has ever existed. But it might be helpful to think of it as being having the equivalent of personal butler sitting in your living room, waiting to help you out with your day. Ask a butler what letters you’ve received and you’d never expect them to read out each of your letters for you, you’d hope that they’d show you the most important ones directly. In a similar way, it would get frustrating quickly to have an Echo read out your entire inbox, but an Echo with a screen could pick the most important emails to show to you. Similarly if you were asking a butler for traffic advice, rather than them trying to describe exactly where the congestion is, it would be much for convenient for them to show you a map, and point to the difficult roads so you can avoid them. An Echo with a screen would be much better in this regard. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3SgdTwzKEV7qsyD2AFTmc.jpg At a certain point, is this what the Echo is going to turn into?Although entirely voice-based assistants seem like a cool future, the truth is that there’s certain information that will always be easier to display visually, and having to rely on pulling a smartphone out of your pocket simply isn’t as convenient as simply showing you directly on the device. Although Amazon has yet to officially confirm the existence of the product, the quality of the leaks, combined with the existence of the recently announced Amazon Echo Look, makes this a convincing direction for Amazon to take. And, frankly, I’m ok with it. I love my Echo, but only part of that is because it’s a smart device I can control with my voice. Mostly I just like having a mini computer set up in my kitchen to deal with occasional queries that it’s not worth fetching my phone to do. So ultimately an Echo with a screen isn’t quite the change of direction that it had originally seemed. If handled well it could be just a better way of presenting you with the information you need without overwhelming you with minutes of lengthy audio explanation. All that we need now is for Amazon to actually officially confirm the existence of the device, but given how finished the leaked shots look, I can’t imagine it’s far off. Check out our reviews of the Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/VDQOiwdJLWY

There's mounting speculation that Apple is working on its own version of the Amazon Echo or Google Home with Siri inside, and this weekend we got another hint about what that device could look like - and it may well come with an integrated screen. In an interview with Gadgets360, Apple executive Phil Schiller espouses the benefits of having a voice-controlled smart assistant and a screen in the same device - and of course a display is noticeably absent from the speakers put together by Amazon and Google. "There's many moments where a voice assistant is really beneficial, but that doesn't mean you'd never want a screen," says Schiller, citing the example of getting directions that are both spoken out and displayed on a map. "So the idea of not having a screen, I don't think suits many situations." Screen there, done that"So I think voice assistants are incredibly powerful, their intelligence is going to grow, they're going to do more for us, but the role of the screen is going to remain very important to all of this," says Schiller. Perhaps the rumored Siri speaker is just going to be a glorified iPad? We're doing quite a lot of reading between the lines here - Schiller doesn't even get close to confirming a Siri speaker is indeed on the way, let alone whether or not it'll have a screen. Nevertheless, it's an interesting look at some of the thinking going on inside Apple about how Siri could extend to other devices, and potentially a home hub. Another reason why Schiller's comments are notable is that Amazon is also said to be working on a new version of the Echo with an integrated screen. Will Jeff Bezos or Tim Cook be the first to show off a smart speaker and home hub with a built-in display? We'll have to wait and see. Here are all the Siri speaker rumors in one placeVia MacRumors http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/OuKuOcrRESs

Update: Ignore the image at the bottom of the page, pro product-sleuth Evan Blass found a high-res image that he shared via Twitter. Original story continues below... Amazon is far from finished with its line of artificial intelligence-equipped smart devices. Earlier this week we learned about the Echo Look, and now we’ve seen our first image of the Amazon Echo with touchscreen, known internally as the Echo ‘Knight’. The new smart device is rumored to have an improved forward-facing speaker (goodbye 360-degree sound) and a camera that will enable video calling, in addition to the touchscreen. How exactly the new Echo device would achieve calling – whether it would tether to your phone or require its own SIM card – is still to be determined. Regardless, the device will present numerous challenges to Amazon. All of the voice commands that we’ve grown accustom to over the last few years using the device will now require visuals to go alongside them. It will no longer be enough for Alexa to tell us the weather, but we’ll need an accompanying visual to go alongside it now, too. The leak comes by way of AFTVnews, who says a potential sticker price is likely to be more than $200 (the current price of the Amazon Echo) but below $300 – in between £150 and £250, or AU$270 and AU$400. The news outlet also says to expect the official unveiling of the product sometime in the near future – likely within the next month or so. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pPFHaV2aCscqXcVXCBGMP5.png Here's the image AFTVnews found onlineSource codeSo how, exactly, did AFTVnews find out about the new Echo device? Apparently AFTVnews did some digging on Amazon’s servers and located a low-res image for the device. While we wouldn’t always bite on these kinds of leaks, this is the same site that discovered the Amazon Echo Look one month before its announcement, so there’s some credibility built up here. Does that mean it’s time to toss out the old Echo devices to make room for a camera-ready iteration? Well, we might not go that far just yet. It's never too early to start preparing for Black Friday 2017http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/8alqeUoTDII

Amazon's Echo speaker range is startlingly good at picking up and understanding natural voice commands – and, with the Echo Dot at least, to do it in an affordable package too. But it's hard to get too excited about the simple black speaker enclosures used to house those smarts. Understated, sure, but exciting? Not so much. Those looking to match the futuristic voice assistant with some fittingly sci-fi design may want to check out the C by GE Sol. A table lamp that doubles up as a Bluetooth Alexa speaker, it's like a Tron disc for your living room. Smart lightingThe lamp features all the Alexa Skills you'd expect, from commanding your Spotify account to getting travel updates. But it works in a responsive LED ring to highlight when it's listening, along with a secondary outer light ring to give a glow to its surroundings. Originally announced back in December, GE Sol is only now taking pre-orders for the C. An early bird discount sees you able to pick up the C for $160 (about £125 / AU$215), but you'll pay $200 (£155 / AU$270) once it hits shops. The promo video above shows a prototype model. There were some kinks to iron out here – being able to see the individual LEDs in the ring cheapens the look somewhat, for starters. But if that's been ironed out, it's definitely an Echo alternative to look out for, while you wait for this year's inevitable Black Friday deals blowout. The best Amazon Echo Alexa skills and how to install themhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/x1al7TPrXZ0

General Electric is producing a new series of smart lights that are brighter than most, at least in terms of intelligence: The Sol by GE is one half smart lamp, one half personal assistant. The Sol by GE is part of its new C Series of lights it debuted back in December of last year and inside its base it hides a secret – Amazon’s Alexa. The Alexa inside the Sol works identically to the one you’d find inside an Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo Dot but, as its embedded inside a lamp, can also control the lighting of your room. Although most would consider a smart artificial intelligence enough of a party trick for one product, GE’s Sol – given that name because its matching shape and function of the sun – can also act as a visual clock and sleep enhancing light. GE is getting in on the smart home fad on the floor level using a product that the company has produced since … well, the beginning of light bulbs. Smart. I love … lamp? To be honest, the Sol is a pretty unique-looking smart lamp. We’ve seen dozens of smart bulbs in the past from companies like LIFX, Element and Philips, but the difference here is the design aesthetic and the direct access to Alexa. The Sol will be available in September for $199 (around £150, AU$270), which makes it competitively priced with the Amazon Echo which currently goes for $179 (£149, around AU$230). Pre-orders for the lamp start today and GE is offering a hefty 20% discount to the first few orders. Just keep an eye on it. We’d hate to have a repeat of the airlock sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey... Amazon Echo vs Google Homehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/IiZz-aiZcY4

Update 4:48pm PT: WhatsApp tells us the messaging service is back after a global outage rendered the service inaccessible for more than two hours on Wednesday. Here's the company's official statement: "Earlier today, WhatsApp users in all parts of the world were unable to access WhatsApp for a few hours," a spokesperson said. "We have now fixed the issue and apologize for the inconvenience." There's still no word on what caused WhatsApp to go down. Most users appear to have no problem connecting to WhatsApp now, though DownDetector.com indicates there are still some affected areas. These should come back online shortly, so sit tight if you're still unable to send or receive WhatsApp messages and calls. Original story below... WhatsApp went down around the world today, rendering the hugely popular messaging service unusable for more than two hours. The first reports something was amiss came in at 1:10pm PT, according to DownDetector.com. Though WhatsApp is still recovering, it should be back to normal soon, the company tells us, and users are reporting WhatsApp's return on Twitter. However, some are still experiencing issues as WhatsApp makes its way back online. We here at TechRadar's San Francisco office couldn't connect to WhatsApp when we attempted to around 3:15pm PT; our outgoing messages were stuck in limbo and we hadn't received a message in quite some time. We are now able to send and receive messages. When asked about the outage, a WhatsApp spokesperson sent us the company's official statement: "WhatsApp is aware of the issue and working to fix it as soon as possible." No further details, such as what caused the problem or just how widespread it is, were forthcoming. Don't look to the service's dormant Twitter account for answers, either. WhatsApp is an immensely popular messaging platform around the globe, counting more than one billion monthly users. Earlier today Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed WhatsApp's new feature Status, akin to Snapchat Stories, has accumulated more than 175 million users in less than three months. WhatsApp's woes follow another big internet story on Wednesday: a massive Google Docs phishing attack spread around the web, attempting to trick users into granting access to their Gmail accounts. Google quickly shut down the attack, though we recommend staying vigilant against suspicious emails. Hey, at least now you can send a WhatsApp message to warn your friends about it, right? http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/AwPJeQI2Uys

After first appearing on phones, voice assistants entered the home in a big way with the Amazon Echo, a speaker that was equipped with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. While Apple has had a voice assistant, Siri, on its phones for some time now, it has so far been left behind when it comes to smart speakers. Competitor Google brought its own voice assistant to dedicated hardware with the Google Home speaker last year. Rumors have been circulating for a while now that both Microsoft and Apple are planning on bringing their voice assistants, Cortana and Siri respectively, to the home in the form of smart speakers. Read on for all the information we have so far about Apple’s rumored smart speaker. Cut to the chaseWhat is it? A rumored smart speaker equipped with Apple’s Siri voice assistantWhen is it out? TBA – Apple is yet to confirm that it actually existsWhat will it cost? Competitors range in price from $50 to $180 – Apple’s will likely be priced towards the high end of this rangeApple Siri Speaker release dateThe most recent rumor points towards a launch in the second half of this year, in time for the Christmas shopping season, after an announcement at Apple’s annual developer showcase, WWDC, which this year takes place in June. However we’re slightly skeptical of this rumor for a couple of reasons. First is the fact that WWDC is traditionally a conference where Apple talks about software rather than hardware, so talking about a new piece of smart speaker hardware would be highly unusual. Secondly we’re skeptical that the speaker would be announced as early as WWDC, only to be released much later in the second half of the year, as Apple likes to release hardware as soon as possible after it’s announced; each year the iPhone is released just 10 days after its initial announcement, for example. There have been exceptions to this rule such as the AirPods, which released around three months after they were originally announced, but for the most part Apple maintains a fast turnaround between announcement and release. Unfortunately this doesn’t leave us with much of an idea about when the smart speaker might be coming, but after hearing that Apple employees are already testing prototypes in their own homes, we’re guessing it’s not far away. Apple Siri Speaker featuresIf you want to get an idea of what a Siri speaker would be capable of, then Siri on your iPhone is a good place to start. Currently Siri is able to sync up with a number of the iPhone’s core features. It can add reminders to the reminders app, create events in the calendar app, set alarms and timers, call and video "Facetime" call contacts, and find and read emails. Siri is also heavily integrated into Apple HomeKit, which is the company’s home automation ecosystem, that allows you to control all of your connected devices from a single app. Using HomeKit you can have Siri turn on your lights, increase your home’s thermostat, or even activate a ceiling fan. Check out our full list of the devices that work, or will work, with Apple HomeKit.However, Siri has some significant problems compared to competing voice services. For example, it heavily prioritises Apple’s own apps rather than allowing you to use alternatives. Ask Siri to play some music, and it will only be able to play songs that are currently stored in your Apple Music app. This is in contrast to both Alexa and Google Assistant, which both allow you to use a music app of your choice, rather than restricting you to Amazon Prime Music and Google Play music respectively. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9u96Sn2nnZDgKC5mTuFoqk.jpg Amazon has been especially open with allowing developers to integrate their services into its smart speakers. It allows the creation of ‘Skills’ which essentially act as apps for the smart speaker, and so far there have been over 10,000 of them created for the speaker. On a basic intelligence level, Siri also has a number of problems. Ask it when the Mona Lisa was painted (the year 1503, art buffs), and the voice assistant will happily tell you that ‘the answer is one thousand, five hundred and three,’ rather than being intelligent enough to realise that the year should be read aloud as ‘fifteen oh-three’. Of course there’s always the chance that Apple will put significant effort into improving Siri before the technology finds its way into a smart speaker. Google did a similar thing when it overhauled Google Now, creating Google Assistant, in the months before the Google Home was released. Facial recognitionPreviously, smart speakers focussed entirely on the voice, and recognising the commands that are spoken by the user. However, there are some rumors that Apple’s rumored smart speaker might feature facial recognition via a built-in camera. The technology could be used to recognise which users are interacting with the device, allowing it to cater to their individual preferences in music or lighting. Over the past two years Apple has acquired the facial recognition startups Faceshift and Emotient, which suggests that such technology is something that the company is exploring. Apple’s speaker would not be the first to feature a built-in camera. The recently announced Amazon Echo Look has a built in camera, which is used to recognise and recommend clothing choices. Google Home recently added the ability to recognise users based on the sound of their voice, and we’d imagine that Apple would want to feature similar functionality if it wants to compete with the existing major players in the market. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jevmzHKeEV3T3AFo8sphMG.jpg Emotion sensing Related to the facial recognition capability is a recent rumor that the smart speaker will be able to recognise user’s emotions. We’re not entirely sure what this could end up adding to the overall user experience, but it’s funny to think that the speaker could theoretically play different music depending on how it reads your mood. Beats technologyAnother recent rumor points towards the device making use of ‘some form of Beats technology’, although it’s unclear exactly what this could be. Apple needs to improve Siri’s ability to recognise our voice, since we’ve found that its current implementation on phones can be a little flaky. Could a Beats-built microphone fit the bill? The big development with Beats headphones over the last year has been the introduction of Apple's new W1 bluetooth chip, which makes it a lot easier to pair the headphones to an iPhone, and also improves battery life. Obviously that latter point isn't as important for a speaker that's likely to be mains, rather than battery, powered, but it would be a great feature if the speaker could be easily paired to your phone by simply holding it close by. Could this perhaps be another way of identifying the user – by proximity to the W1 chip? Apple Siri Speaker AirPlayThe Amazon Echo Dot has a 3.5mm audio jack output that allows it to plug into a stereo, and Google Home integrates with the Chromecast. Allegedly Apple’s Siri speaker will offer similar functionality thanks to an integration with Apple’s AirPlay technology, which allows users to stream video and audio from their phone to a television or stereo respectively. A new challenger has entered the arenaSmart speakers are one of the most unexpected and cool technologies to have come out over the past couple of years, and interesting to see each of the technology giants repurposing their existing voice assistants to work in a home context. Apple isn't the only one with such a device on the horizon. Microsoft appears to be readying a home speaker equipped with its Cortana voice assistant, and between that and Google's existing smart speaker efforts, the market is set to get crowded very quickly. Apple has a real chance of standing out when it comes to its home automation efforts thanks to HomeKit, but it's not as strong when it comes to integrating with non-Apple services such as Spotify. Apple's next major conference is set to be WWDC in June, but as previously mentioned, we would be surprised to see a hardware reveal come out of the software-focussed show. Then again when it comes to Apple anything is possible, so keep your eyes trained on the McEnery Convention Centre in San Jose from 5-9 June for any new information about Apple's voice controlled ambitions. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/HlmxLqWcmho

Noise about an Apple smart speaker is growing louder, and today a new report suggests the tech giant’s first Siri-powered smart home/audio device could be announced at WWDC 2017. WWDC, by the way, is Apple’s annual developer conference, where it details the next iteration of its mobile operating system, iOS (in 2017's case, it'll be iOS 11), macOS, watchOS, tvOS and other innovations. Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who regularly makes predictions on Apple's next moves, some of them accurate, said in an industry report (via 9to5Mac) that Apple will probably unveil its "first home AI product" at the June event. The device, which 9to5Mac has dubbed the Siri Speaker, will compete with Amazon Echo, the Alexa-backed speaker from the online retail powerhouse. Apple's product, however, will occupy the higher end of the smart speaker spectrum, Kuo notes, and therefore cost more than the $179/£150 (about AU$230) Echo. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VpgybeFaYiinSbipegUwNM.jpg Watch out, Amazon Echo?We suggest taking Kuo's prediction with a hearty grain of salt, but it would make sense for Apple to announce its Siri-backed smart home device at a developer conference. Smart speakers like Echo and Google Home utilize third-party extensions to bring more capabilities to their arsenals. And if Apple hopes to create an open ecosystem for the speaker, allowing it to connect to the App Store like the Apple TV does, the iPhone maker will need developer support. Sound offThough Kuo didn't offer an exact release date for Apple's speaker, he predicts it will launch in the second half of the year, which would put it right on time for the holiday shopping season. We'll venture to guess the speaker's retail launch will fall on or near the iPhone 8 release date as there will probably be an accompanying app to go along with the speaker. According to leaker Sonny Dickson, Apple's "Alexa competitor" is in the final stages of design. Apple's speaker won't skimp on sound, Kuo suggests, offering "excellent" audio, seven tweeters and a subwoofer. A knock against Amazon Echo is that its audio prowess leaves much to be desired. Google Home's sound isn't strong, either. But despite some glaring weaknesses, Echo has spawned other speakers, namely the Amazon Echo Dot and Amazon Echo Look, a newly announced device that houses a camera and will judge your outfits before you step out the door. Depending on how well Apple's smart speaker, also said to have computing powers in its pocket, is received, we could see a whole family of iSpeaker devices, offered in different sizes, styles and price ranges, come to market in the next few years. Of course, Apple has to get started, and we may only have to wait until next month to see what its first smart speaker step looks like. The best cheap Amazon Echo deals this monthhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/aN2c_XC-l2w