Leak shows how you'll be setting up your Harman Karmon Invoke smart speaker

Just yesterday, we told you that the name of Microsoft's challenger to the Amazon Echo will be called the Harman Karmon Invoke. Today, leaked screenshots of the setup process for the smart speaker reveal that the Invoke will need permission to get your personal information, make calls using Skype using your username, communicate with your other devices, receive Windows Notifications, access Cortana and grab your personal information at any time.

Invoke will have Skype integration allowing you to make phone calls using the Harman Kardon speaker. The device also works with i Heart Radio and other third party streaming music apps, providing musical entertainment. Based on the leaked screen shots, it looks like users will be able to specify a certain style of music to listen to.

The smart speaker category currently has a super star in Amazon's Echo. That device uses cloud based AI assistant Alexa, which will be found on an upcoming Moto Mod accessory and as a native assistant on some future Moto devices to be released later this year. Because of the Amazon connection, Alexa has the advantage when it comes to shopping using a smart speaker. If Cortana can catch up on the shopping front, the premium Harman Kardon speaker could prove to be an attraction in this burgeoning market that is already three-years old, but is just beginning to get competitive.

Besides Amazon and Microsoft, Google has its own competitor in the Google Home. This smart speaker uses Google Assistant and has found a niche as a tool to control connected devices (like a thermostat or lamps) inside a smart house. In addition, many of Android users are more familiar with Google than they are with Alexa or Cortana. Still, Amazon has had a head start and currently is the leading provider of smart speakers.

By 2020, smart speakers will bring in $2 billion a year in revenue according to analytical firm Gartner.


source: WindowsCentral