Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) is reportedly working on its next Amazon Echo device.
A report from Bloomberg claims that the new Amazon Echo will feature a 7-inch touchscreen. The report cites two people that are familiar with the device’s development. They chose to remain anonymous due to the device not being announced yet.
According to the two people close to the matter, AMZN is looking to introduce a touchscreen on what could be a premium version of its Amazon Echo speaker. The addition of a touchscreen would make it easier to perform certain functions, such as checking the weather.
The unnamed sources told Bloomberg that the new Amazon Echo will also have high-grade speakers in it. It will also tilt upwards, which will make it easier to see the touchscreen when the device is sitting on a table or counter.
The price of the new Amazon Echo speaker is currently unknown. However, one of the people close to its development claims it will be more expensive than the current $180 Echo. They also claim that it will run on a custom version of Fire OS. It will also still use the virtual assistant Alexa to answer questions and complete tasks.
The two sources also claim that the company will introduce the new Amazon Echo speaker during the first quarter of 2017. Previous reports have also claimed that AMZN is working on an Alexa-powered device with a touchscreen.
Amazon.com, Inc. recently released and update for its Fire tablets that added support for Alexa. It may be possible that the virtual assistant will play a similar role in the new Amazon Echo speaker as it does on the tablets.
