Fresh details have emerged about Samsung’s aims to release a smart speaker in the near future.
The South Korean tech company plans to go head-to-head with Amazon, Google, Sonos, and Apple in the voice-controlled speaker market.
Samsung’s version will use its Bixby voice assistant, and according to Bloomberg is set for release in the first half of 2018.
The rumoured price point of $200 (£150) considerably undercuts the price of Apple’s forthcoming HomePod, which will cost $349.
Smart speakers - in pictures
The HomePod, which will feature Siri integration, was originally intended for a December launch, but was recently delayed by Apple.
Like Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, the Bixby speaker will act as a hub for Samsung’s connected home products.
It is thought to have an emphasis on sound quality, with a current prototype being physically larger than the more assistant-focused Amazon Echo, but smaller than HomePod.
Amazon currently own the largest share in the smart speaker market, and recently launched a second-generation Echo, as well as the Echo Show which features a video screen.