Amazon working on slimmer, better Echo to counter Apple s HomePod

San Francisco July 14 (IANS) Aiming to regain the top spot in smart speaker space Amazon is reportedly working on a new flagship Echo speaker that will be slimmer and better than its predecessor.

According to a report in Engadget the updated model will be "shorter and slimmer" akin to three or four stacked Echo Dots.

The move is seen as Amazon s attempt to better Apple s HomePod that was launched in its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

The new Echo would offer better sound using several tweeters instead of just one -- similar to the HomePod that will sport seven tweeters when it ships this December.

Amazon is also planning to improve Echo s microphone technology as well as the design.

If Amazon can stick to a $180 price tag it will retain at least one advantage over the HomePod which will sell for $349 the report said.

--IANS
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