Google reportedly working on Amazon Echo competitor dubbed 'Chirp'

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

In an effort that would rival Amazon's Echo, Google is reportedly working on a standalone device that would integrate the company's "Okay, Google" voice search tech.

From Recode:

A product team at Google is working on a hardware device that would integrate Google's search and voice assistant technology, akin to the Amazon Echo, Recode has learned.Google's device will resemble its OnHub wireless router, according to several sources. We don't know if it has a name yet, but internally the project goes by "Chirp."

The report goes on to mention that Chirp is unlikely to make an appearance at Google I/O 2016, but it will likely debut later this year. If true, the move wouldn't be entirely unexpected. It would give Google a chance to expand the work it's doing with voice search outside of the realm of Android, potentially allowing the search giant another avenue to collect data on consumer search trends.

40 Comments
  • Chirp? CHIRP? Really? How many braincells did google loose smokin that crap in colorado? The name is stupid. No. Idiotic.
  • It's probably just an internal code name
  • dude. calm down.
  • That crap in Colorado is fire!!!! Can't touch Hawaii tho.
  • Yeah. The only worse name would be "Gator".
  • It's better than "Wii U". Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'd say they should call it Majel but I think they already used that. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Oh god, please tell me that that is just an internal code name and not what it'll actually be called on release. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Prediction. Release of chirp 2016. Chirp discontinued by Google 2017. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Lol!
  • Well, they gotta keep their options open for another "me too" revolutionary product. Poor Google, I think they want "the next big thing" worse than Samsung. There's alway project ara!
  • Speaking of project Ara, why hasn't there been an update? Posted via the Android Central App
  • Why is good so late to the game on this? They have had the backbone for this in Google now since 2012. They should already own this space yet here we are with no product yet... Posted via the Android Central App
  • Sitting back and being late allows Google to see how consumers react to said product. If it tanks they saved loads of time and money. If they see people enjoying it and seeing what other features they wish it had. Google can step in with a V1 product that tackles the current V1 of the Echo.
  • That's what's made Apple a success. Let other companies explore the space, then come up with their own version (and pretend they are first in the space). Google could do worse than to emulate Apple in this instance.
  • Because a device like the Echo wouldn't advertise very well and if it did, people wouldn't buy it over the Echo. Basically a device like the Echo provides a much more narrow range of search results. Google wants to deliver a large range of relevant search results because that's how they make money. Furthermore, the Echo doesn't have a good way to advertise like webpages do, which is another way for Google to make money. Sure, it could still make Google money as the article suggests, just not nearly as much as webpage searches do and not nearly as efficiently. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Good answer. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Is this being developedby their XYZ division? Did they scram the giant Potato Cannon?
  • Really, I thought it was called the pixel c... It only has an array of 4 microphones . Posted via the Android Central App
  • And not one of the microphones can always listen from any screen like every other android phone can down to the 50$ kyocera devices. Posted via the Android Central App
  • They need this at i/o. They are extremely late to the game with this and home automation Posted via the Android Central App
  • Maybe they'll license and bake Viv into it.
  • I hope not, Google Now still looks better. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Please make it CHIRPZ Posted via the Android Central App
  • The Z gives it street cred. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Exactly! We need something like that in this technology-laden world Posted via the Android Central App
  • Idiot. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Google's assistant could do with a few more personality cores before they do something like this. It's very useful but incredibly dry. It's best to assume I'm being sarcastic. if I'm ever serious I'll type "/s" to make it clear.
  • User: "Chirp, add toilet paper to my shopping list." Chirp: "I'll tell Alexa."
  • Shut up and take my money (but change the name). Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'm with you, I've been waiting for this. My wife was going to buy me an Echo for my birthday back in April, but I told her that if like to wait and see what Google does. Hopefully it's worth the wait. I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup
  • Google has a long way ahead of them to catch up to Alexa in this case. She's getting smarter every week. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Are we ignoring Google Now? They are years ahead of Amazon in this space.
  • I thought the on hub was supposed to be this Posted via the Android Central App
  • Can I order it on Amazon? Posted via the Android Central App
  • Finallllllyy
  • Chirp?
    Hmm, a bird would fit well in a ..... Nest.
  • I see what you did there I wonder if illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup
  • Integrate chirp into onehub and I'm sold! Posted via the Android Central App
  • Finally! Posted via the Android Central App