Looks like phone’s aren’t the only thing that’s got Facebook’s attention these days. According to Bloomberg, the social-networking giant will launch a slew of hardware products in the coming years to support its existing social acumen.
They’ve got eyes on Amazon Echo, and are reportedly working on a touchscreen-based device for video chatting and a voice-enabled speaker, that is expected to be showcased at the next F8 developer Conference.
Also Read: What’s the Big Deal About Amazon Echo and Is It Coming to India?
Facebook has set up Building 8 lab within its HQ that’s been trusted with dishing out products, which can help the company go beyond its existing repertoire of VR headset from Oculus (which they also bought).
This team is said to be working on a phone-like device that’ll offer modular capabilities, and even act as a 360-degree camera when needed.
Also Read: Is Facebook Working on a Modular Smartphone?
Shedding more light on the other device, Bloomberg quotes people saying Facebook wants to offer a rich video chatting experience within households, and this rumoured device could make it happen for them.
No prizes for guessing that Facebook will integrate its Messaging platform and upcoming services to the device.
It’ll be interesting to see if they let third-party developers offer other apps as well.
The intuitiveness of the speaker will be powered by a voice-assistant, that is also in the works, being put in place by industry veterans who’ve been hired from all corners to come up with a Siri-like feature.
Also Read: Voice-Assisted Speakers Are the Future, but Are We Ready for Them?
Gradually, we’re seeing Facebook integrating all its products into a cohesive entity, that can cater to its billions of users across the globe.
The use of virtual reality into chats (that was shown at the last F8) means everything being designed, with Zuckerberg at the helm, has a futuristic but a definite purpose.
This new-look Facebook is pushing itself against established tech giants like Amazon, Google and even Apple for that matter.
Whether the products do make it to the market is one thing, but for Facebook to go beyond its initial identity as a social platform serves as a case study for its competitors, who’re someway playing the safe game, without taking an element of risk, every now and then.
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