Google said to be working on challenger to Amazon's Echo

OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2016. Google is working on standalone hardware for the home that will integrate the web giant's search and voice technology, according to a report by Recode.

The device, which is going by the internal name "Chirp," is said to resemble Google's OnHub wireless router. Such a device would likely make Google's familiar search command "OK Google" available throughout your home, a growing market for the web giant and its rivals.

The device is seen as a competitor to Echo, Amazon's internet-connected wireless speaker wrapped around a digital personal assistant named Alexa.

Chirp is unlikely to launch at Google's I/O developers conference next week but is expected to debut sometime this year, Recode reported.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.