At this time BUILD 2017 is taking place, an official Microsoft event for developers and the Microsoft Product Community. An event where many novelties are being presented in the field of Software, but not only in it but also in the world of Hardware.
Despite the fact that the center of the event is the software, hours before its start a new Microsoft device has been leaked on the Internet: HomeHub.
HomeHub will be the tough rival that Amazon Echo and Google Home have. A smart speaker that will differentiate itself from the rest by having and using Cortana and not another virtual assistant.
Thus, Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant, will be present in our homes along with other devices such as mobile phones, computers or smart devices. HomeHub will be compatible with smart home elements such as Nest devices, Phillips, etc. And also Microsoft would be working on its own home automation devices, with which HomeHub will be compatible.
So far, Microsoft has announced the "release" of Cortana. That is, like Alexa and Google Assistant, users will be able to create apps and connect their apps and devices with Cortana. This will be achieved with the Skill Kit app.
The launch of HomeHub will happen shortly, since as has been confirmed, the new functions of Cortana and Microsoft devices will be compatible with Microsoft Redstone 3, an update that will be released in the month of September. So HomeHub will expects it to hit the market before or during the month of September.
The official launch has not taken place, but Possibly it will be presented next May 23. A date where a new Microsoft device will be unveiled and HomeHub meets all the requirements.
I really don't know if HomeHub will be a great rival for Amazon Echo, but of course the hardware will not be the same, since there is talk that HomeHub will be a covert Windows 10, while the Amazon Echo does not have as much power. But What platform do you choose?