Facebook reportedly working on movie talk device, wise speaker, ZDNet
Facebook reportedly working on movie talk device, wise speaker
Past Oculus Rift, Facebook looks to get deeper in the hardware business with a low cost movie talk device and brainy speaker to better connect its users, Bloomberg reports.
By Jake Smith for iGeneration | August Two, two thousand seventeen — 04:34 GMT (21:34 PDT) | Topic: Hardware
I’m begrudgingly willing to admit that Facebook Messenger is becoming the "one app for all communications" that calls people, not numbers, which I always desired regardless of device choice.
Facebook is working on an Android-based movie talk device to bring users closer, according to Bloomberg. Sources also said the company is working on a wise speaker to take on Amazon Echo and Google Home.
The movie talk device is from Facebook’s Building eight hardware division, and will include a thirteen to 15-inch touchscreen with a wide-angle lens, microphones, and speakers.
Bloomberg reported Facebook also wants to include artificial intelligence software for better user interaction with the movie talk device. Facebook confirmed earlier this week it acquired artificial intelligence startup Ozlo to build up AI capabilities within Messenger.
The movie talk device may cost "a few hundred dollars’, according to Bloomberg. Facebook is considering a three hundred sixty degree camera for the hardware, but it may not be ready in time for launch in Spring 2018.
Facebook is also working on a standalone wise speaker with a Siri-style voice assistant developed in-house, the report said.
Facebook FCC filing via Business Insider
Further, Business Insider on Tuesday reported Facebook filed for a low-energy Bluetooth module for unspecified hardware.
A Facebook representative wasn’t instantly available for comment.
Facebook’s hardware group Building eight is lead by Regina Dugan, the former head of Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects. The hardware shove would budge Facebook past just suggesting its Oculus VR headsets and bring low cost hardware to its two billion monthly active users.