Amazon is working on a " premium " version of its Echo speaker that includes a seven - inch touchscreen , in response to competition from Google phones and Apple 's rumoured smart home speaker . The touchscreen will make it easier to access news content and upcoming calendar events and the design is expected to be larger than the current voice - activated speaker , angled upwards so the screen can be read . It will also feature greatly improved sound quality . Amazon is expected to release the new speaker as early as Q1 2017 and it will likely be the most expensive product in the Echo range .
Amazon is working on a "premium" version of its Echo speaker that includes a seven-inch touchscreen, in response to competition from Google Home and Apple's rumoured smart home speaker. The touchscreen will make it easier to access weather content and upcoming calendar events and the design is said to be larger than the current voice-activated model, tilting upwards so the screen can be read. It will also feature greatly improved sound quality. Amazon is expected to release the new speaker as early as Q1 2017 and it will likely be the most expensive product in the Echo range.