Competition between Amazon and Google is set to intensify after the latter announced that it will release a Google Home with display characteristics before Christmas.
The Google Home smart speaker is expected to go toe-to-toe with Amazon's Echo Show and its alarm clock-sized device Echo Spot. Both Echo Show and Echo Spot are armed with responsive touchscreen displays. The Verge stated that Google Home is particularly essential in following recipes, watching videos, and looking up information.
Sources close to the situation say that Google is targeting to ship out 3 million units for the first batch. Amazon shipped 315,000 units in 2017 after introducing the Echo Show last summer.
"Google targets to ship some 3 million units for the first batch of the new model of smart speaker that comes with a screen. It's an aggressive plan," the source revealed.
Earlier this year, Google announced its new Smart Display program to its partners such as JBL, LG, Sony, and Lenovo to allow them to create Echo-show like accessories. At present, the company's AI speaker lineup boasts the Google Home, Home Max, and the Home Mini.
Google Home is not only expected to bank on voice commands but will also allow users to check calendars, view maps, and watch YouTube videos. Although there's no timetable yet as to when Google Home will hit the market, industry sources say that is likely to be unveiled this October. Google's Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are set to be launched on Oct. 4.
Start Of Something Big For Smart Speakers
Industry experts believe that more smart speakers with image and video recognition components are likely hitting the market soon. In 2017 alone, at least 35 million smart speakers were distributed worldwide according to a data gathered by Canalys.
Amazon grabbed the top market share at 63 percent with Google trailing far behind with a 32 percent control of the market. However, Google managed to bounce back this year as it accounted for 36 percent of around 9 million units sold in the January-March period. Amazon's share dropped drastically as it fell to 28 percent.
Meanwhile, Apple which primarily planned to distribute 6 million HomePods this year later decided to reduce the number to 5 million due to complaints that Siri is not as dynamic compared to the AI-assistants of Google and Amazon. Canalys added that the number of installed smart speakers is set to go over 100 million this year, which is way more than the figures at the end of last year.
