Facebook could be working on a smart speaker equipped with a 15-inch touch display, reported DigiTimes. According to the people familiar with its development, the device will be manufactured by Pegatron Technolgy and is likely set for release in the first quarter of 2018.
The touted Touch panel to be featured by smart speaker will be supplied by LG Display, using in-cell technology. It will also sport a magnesium-aluminum-alloy chassis. According to the report, Pegatron has already kicked-off a pilot production of the device in its factories in China.
A week ago, the social media was revealed to file a patent application in January for a mysterious "modular electromechanical device" that could have speakers, cameras, microphones, touchscreens, and displays. "A user can change the functionality of the modular electromechanical device based upon the different functional modules that are connected," read the summary portion of the somewhat cryptic paperwork filed with US patent officials.
If rumours are to be believed this would be Facebook first attempt to foray into smartphone and smart speaker production, against well established players such as Samsung, Apple and Google.
(With inputs from Reuters)
