Given the current controversy surrounding Facebook, it’s unsurprising new reports have emerged that indicate the social media giant is pushing back the release of its often-rumoured smart speaker until this October.
Facebook originally planned to launch its own smart speaker at F8 in May. Reports indicate that the company recently concluded that releasing a product that’s always listening and gathering data from inside a customer’s home likely isn’t the best public relations move at the moment.
That said, it looks like Facebook isn’t cancelling the project altogether and is only delaying it for an October release. When news of a possible delay was first reported, a Facebook spokesperson told Bloomberg that the speaker was being held back “to ensure that they [Facebook] makes the right trade-offs regarding user data.”
Earlier reports indicated that Facebook planned to launch two smart speakers at some point in 2018. Both will reportedly feature 15-inch touchscreens and adopt a form factor that’s similar to Amazon’s Echo Show, which still hasn’t made its way to Canada. Apple’s HomePod has also not been released in Canada.
The smart speaker market is becoming increasingly crowded. If Facebook’s still unannounced smart speaker is released, the device will join the HomePod, Amazon’s Echo and Google’s line of Home devices.
Last week Amazon revealed plans to launch the Echo Spot in Canada for $169 CAD.
Source: Digitimes
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