Samsung Reportedly Developing Cheaper Galaxy Home Bixby Smart Speaker

The Galaxy Home is a smart speaker similar to the Amazon Echo or Google Home. However, instead of being powered by Alexa or the Google Assistant, this device uses Samsung's homegrown Bixby AI assistant. The speaker has a rather chic look to it with three chrome legs sprouting out from its base. It features six built-in AKG-tuned speakers, eight far-field microphones, and a subwoofer. You'll find a number of controls on the top of the device including volume and skip controls, but most of your interactions with the device will be made by voice, a la "Hey, Bixby".

As for this cheaper device, SamMobile says that it has the model designation SM-V310, whereas the original Galaxy Home carries the model number SM-V510. The only confirmed spec that the publication was able to verify is that it will be available in black. 

As for pricing, that's anyone's guess considering that the original Galaxy Home has yet to be released on the retail market and Samsung hasn't even announced its price. However, we can only assume that given its design and features, it will be priced more in line with the Apple HomePod, which retails for $349. That could put the new SM-V310 model at a lower price point of $249 or much lower to better competed with the Google Home Max and Amazon Echo Plus. Getting to that price point, however, may result in the use of cheaper materials, a reduction in the number of microphones, or both.

Whatever the case, there's no doubt that the smart speaker will come packing version 2.0 of the Bixby AI assistant. Hopefully, we'll hear more about this latest entry into a growing field at CES 2019 early next month.