Amazon working on slimmer, better Echo to counter Apple's HomePod

San Francisco: Aiming to regain the top spot in smart speaker space, Amazon is reportedly working on a new flagship Echo speaker that will be slimmer and better than its predecessor.

According to a report in Engadget, the updated model will be "shorter and slimmer", akin to three or four stacked Echo Dots. 

The move is seen as Amazon`s attempt to better Apple`s HomePod that was launched in its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

The new Echo would offer better sound using several tweeters instead of just one -- similar to the HomePod that will sport seven tweeters when it ships this December.

Amazon is also planning to improve Echo`s microphone technology as well as the design.

If Amazon can stick to a $180 price tag, it will retain at least one advantage over the HomePod, which will sell for $349, the report said.