Amazon’s surprising success with the Echo speaker and its Alexa assistant has prompted other tech companies to follow suit. For example Google launched their own alternative called Google Home, and there have also been rumors that Apple could be planning their own version but featuring Siri instead.
However it looks like if Apple does have such plans, SoundHound and Boombotix might have beaten them to the punch. Boombotix has recently launched a speaker called the Hurricane on Kickstarter that will feature SoundHound’s own voice assistant, Hound. Essentially it is SoundHound’s take on the Amazon Echo.
Instead of marketing it like the Echo, Boombotix seems to be positioning the Hurricane as more of a smart DJ that relies on AI (Hound, in this case) to figure out your musical tastes. Given that SoundHound did start off as a music app, we guess it makes sense. The Hurricane will feature two full-range drivers, 5-watt 2-inch mid-range speakers, 3-watt 33-mm tweeters, and a 10-watt 4-inch subwoofer.
It also comes with a echo-cancelling microphone to help Hound hear your requests more clearly. According to Sean Sullivan, CEO of Boombotix, “The high quality hardware and intelligence provided in our speaker delivers a valuable music experience, and with the power of Hound inside, it can do so much more — it will revolutionize the way our customers listen to music and help them save time and effort in their busy lives.” If you’d like to learn more or pledge your support, you’ll be able to find the details on its Kickstarter page.
Filed in . Read more about AI (Artificial Intelligence), Crowdfunding, Kickstarter, Soundhound and Speakers.