Google to take on Amazon Echo with voice command device called Chirp, may release preview next week

Google is reportedly developing an Amazon Echo-like portable speaker with voice assistant technology, which is slated to debut very soon. Although the retail name of the device is not known, it is internally being referred to as "Chirp".

Re Code reports the look of the device will be somewhat based on the Google Hub, which is a circular designed wireless internet router. The launch of the device is not expected at next week's Google I/O 2016 event but developers may get to see a prototype of the device in a possible preview.

While Google already has a voice assistant service in the form of Google Now, the upcoming device will try to mirror what the Amazo Echo has to offer. The Echo is currently capable of voice interaction, music playback commands, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audio books, providing weather, traffic and other real time information etc. The Chirp is expected to have all these capabilities and may be even more.

As far as competition goes, Amazon has apparently already sold three million units of the Echo, according to a recent report. For Google to catch up with the Echo, it will have to either provide something more than what Amazon already offers and be competitively priced as well.

Apart from this, Google's heavy focus at the I/O will be on virtual and augmented reality and if reports are to be believed, the company will be launching a standalone VR headset at the event. The Google I/O 2016 will be held from 18- 20 May. To check the full schedule of the event click here.