Instant Alert: Facebook is building a video chat device and smart speaker to debut next year

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   Facebook is building a video chat device and smart speaker to debut next year by Alex Heath on Aug 1, 2017, 2:08 PM Advertisement Facebook is working on a video chat device that will feature "a laptop-sized touchscreen" and be announced next year, according to a report from Bloomberg on Tuesday. The device is being developed inside Facebook's secretive Building 8 hardware lab, which is tasked with creating consumer hardware and shipping it to millions of people. Facebook is also working on an Amazon Echo-like smart speaker, per Bloomberg, echoing a recent report from Digitimes that said the speaker is on track to ship in early 2018. Both devices will reportedly be powered by a Facebook voice assistant that functions similarly to Apple's Siri.  Facebook's Building 8 recently patented a modular device that could function like a smart speaker with a touchscreen, as Business Insider first reported. The division has also poached employees from the likes of Amazon and Walmart to kick off its retail push when the gadgets go on sale. SEE ALSO: Amazon's newest Echo speaker is not for everyone   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011