Amazon’s next Echo will reportedly compete more closely with HomePod sound quality and style

The sound quality of the HomePod has been a key focus for Apple in its marketing for the smart speaker device, openly comparing it to the inferior audio of the Amazon Echo at WWDC. However, the HomePod isn’t launching until the end of the year and Amazon isn’t standing still.

Engadget sources report that the next Echo will include multiple tweeters inside, which should result in a dramatic improvement in sound. It also seems like the device will look more like a HomePod than the current Echo, substituting hard plastic cylinder for ‘cloth-like’ rounded shell.

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Report: iPhone 8 could pack ‘rear-facing 3D laser’ for AR features & camera improvements

As has been said many times in the past, ARKit is perhaps the clearest sign yet that Apple is going all-in when it comes to augmented reality. With the iPhone 8 set to come later this year, it makes sense that it too would feature advanced AR features. Now, Fast Company reports that the device will feature a rear-facing 3D sensor to aid with AR and other camera technology…

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