Facebook developing a smart SPEAKER? Rumours suggest the social media site will release a device in 2018 to take on Google Home and Amazon Echo

According to the latest rumours, Facebook (CEO Mark Zuckerberg is pictured) looks like it could be the next firm to release its own speaker. The rumours suggest that Facebook plans to unveil a smart speaker with a 15-inch (38-cm) touchscreen as early as next year

From Amazon to Apple, many of the biggest technology firms around the world have recently developed smart speakers.

And according to the latest rumours, Facebook looks like it could be the next firm to release its own device.

The rumours suggest that Facebook plans to unveil a smart speaker with a 15-inch (38-cm)
touchscreen as early as next year.

The rumours come from a new report from Digitimes, which claims its source works in the upstream supply chain.

The source claims that Facebook's mysterious Building 8 division is developing the speaker, before it is manufactured by Pegatron.

It is expected to feature a 15-inch (38-cm) touchscreen, similar to the Echo Show device which Amazon released last year.

The source told Digitimes: 'The 15-inch touch panel that Facebook's smart speaker will use is supplied by LG Display, using in-cell technology.

'The speaker will also be equipped with a magnesium-aluminum-alloy chassis.