Google preparing to launch display-equipped smart speakers
San Francisco, Aug 17 : Google is reportedly preparing to launch a display-equipped smart speaker in a direct competition with Amazon and Alibaba Group Holding in the voice-activated gadgets category.
"Google targets to ship some three million units for the first batch of the new model of smart speaker that comes with a screen. It's an aggressive plan," Nikkei Asian Review quoted an industry source as saying on Thursday.
The new product would be part of the Google Home range of smart speakers, running on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Google Assistant, similar to Amazon's "Echo Show", which is a pair of two-inch speakers with a 7-inch touchscreen that display visual output for Alexa's responses.
Google's upcoming model with the display is still likely to rely on voice commands, but users should be able to play YouTube videos, check their calendars and view maps, the report added.
The Android developer's AI speaker lineup currently features the standard Google Home, the cost-effective Home Mini and the high-end Home Max.
The first two options are positioned against Amazon's regular Echo and Echo Dot, while the top-of-the-line model competes with Apple's HomePod, which comes with the Siri voice assistant.
The search engine giant accounted for 36 per cent of over 9 million smart speakers units shipped in the January-March period of 2018 with Amazon acquiring a 28 per cent market share.
Other technology players, including JBL, Lenovo, LG and Sony have also signed up to make screen-equipped smart speakers.
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NEET-UG mock drills underway across centres ahead of May 4 entrance
New Delhi (PTI): Mock drills were conducted at all NEET-UG centres on Saturday to ensure smooth conduct of the nationwide medical entrance, according to an official source.
The crucial exam is scheduled for May 4 at 5,453 centres in over 500 cities across the country. This year, over 22.7 lakh candidates have registered for the exam.
"There will be three layers of monitoring on the exam day – at the District, State, and Centre levels," a Ministry of Education (MoE) source said.
Most of the centres this year are located in government and government-aided schools, colleges, universities, and institutions.
"To ensure smooth and secure conduct of the exam, mock drills are being conducted at all centres. These drills will help test readiness in terms of functionality of mobile signal jammers; availability of adequate manpower for frisking; and biometric authentication procedures," the source said.
The ministry has said that candidates found indulging in unfair means – before, during, or after the examination – will be booked under Unfair Means (UFM) and penalised accordingly.
"The penalties include debarment of up to three years from appearing in NTA exams (based on severity) and criminal and/or legal action under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024," said the person.
The strict measures come a year after alleged irregularities including paper-leak were flagged in NEET which put the integrity of the exam under scanner.
