Virtual Assistants Aren’t Just Speakers Anymore: Your Next One Could Include A Screen

Google, Amazon and Facebook all want you to look at their smart devices.

By Shelly Brisbin & Laura RiceOctober 25, 2018 11:34 am

Nearly one quarter of U.S. households now own a voice-activated smart speaker. Yours may be an Amazon Echo or a Google Home, but chances are if you have one, you’re thinking about getting another. Amazon, Google and even Facebook have released new smart assistants in recent weeks – a lot of them. Tech expert Omar Gallaga says many of the new smart assistants have one more new feature: a screen.

“You’re seeing this technology find its way into automobiles and other places, but I think the new killer thing to look for this year is that all of these companies are now releasing versions of this with displays,” Gallaga says.

What you’ll hear in this segment:

– What you can do with a smart-speaker display

– Why some speakers use screens, but not cameras

– Which smart speaker is worth buying