Facebook will launch two new smart speakers in July, claims report
Facebook's foray into hardware may actually be happening. Its new smart speakers will be available starting in July, according to a Digitimes report published Wednesday.
Portal, the Facebook-connected video chat device will reportedly have two models announced at the social media company's developer conference in May. The devices, under the code names Fiona and Aloha, will then be available to order in July, according to a report from Digitimes based on leaks from supply chain sources outfitting the devices.
The speakers will have 15-inch touchscreens, but one of the models will be higher quality -- something like a Google Home and Google Home Max. The main device, Portal, will include facial recognition and voice-controlled technology.
The devices won't just be for video chatting and social media -- Facebook has music licensing contracts with Sony and Universal, according to the Digitimes story.
Portal was first leaked last year and more details in January revealed the product as an Amazon Echo Show competitor.
The first Facebook-backed hardware comes out of the company's Building 8 R&D center. Facebook is taking on the big players like Google, Amazon, and Apple with its smart speaker. Better hope first time's the charm.
Topics Facebook
Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.
