Microsoft is launching an Echo competitor (MSFT, AMZN)

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May 9, 2017 6:26 PM

Microsoft's long-anticipated smart speaker, known as Invoke, will be released this fall.

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Microsoft's long-anticipated smart speaker, known as Invoke, will be released this fall. The device, which was developed with speaker manufacturer Harmon Kardon, will be able to control users' smart home devices, stream music, and make Skype calls.

Further, ZDNet reports that Microsoft will release a software developer kit (SDK) for third-party developers to create their own Cortana skills, meaning the device could gain a wealth of capabilities very quickly, just like Amazon's Alexa did.

Microsoft is entering a crowded and highly competitive space. Amazon released the original Echo in 2014, and it caught on quickly — CIRP estimates that the line's installed base was 8 million in January, up from 1.6 million last May, based on BI Intelligence estimates. This prompted Google to release the competing Home device last fall. Meanwhile, Apple might unveil a similar, Siri-powered device at its worldwide developer conference in June.

Getting into the smart home market now makes a lot of sense for Microsoft, but it faces an uphill battle if the device is going to be a hit.

Even with these challenges, many of the biggest consumer technology companies are now moving into the smart home market.

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