KT unveils LTE-based AI assistant speaker

[Yonhap News Photo]

KT, one of South Korea's leading telecom companies, unveiled a new AI assistant speaker called "GiGA Genie LTE" for use both at home and in the open air, using an LTE network for the first time in the world.

KT said the new device used a Harman Kardon speaker and featured an LTE router function that can be used to transfer wireless Internet from notebooks and smartphones.

GiGA Genie LTE is similar in size to a tumbler (7x7x17cm) and has a black cylindrical shape. It is easy to carry and its battery capacity for non-stop use for up to eight hours is the largest among domestic AI speakers.

The speaker's price was set at 264,000 won (244 US dollars), but KT said that users would get subsidies. KT also showcased a compact version of GiGA Genie LTE and a smartwatch for children that would hit the market in January or February next year.

There have already been many voice recognition-based AI devices globally. Competition is especially fierce in the AI speaker sector.

This week, LG released its AI assistant speaker, ThinQ Hub, mounted with software developed by South Korean web service giant Naver. It provides news, web search, online music streaming and an ability to chat in English while controlling home appliances connected to a home network.

Lim Chang-won cwlim34@ajunews.com

KT unveils LTE-based AI assistant speaker

Related