Amazon is clearly thinking beyond a simple smart speaker for its Alexa virtual assistant, and a new report from Bloomberg details the concepts Amazon is currently considering

The most interesting of these is what can best be described as a super-sized Echo Show: codenamed "Hoya," according to Bloomberg, the device will feature a 15-inch display that can be wall-mounted or fixed on a stand However, given that the Echo Show, currently the largest, is 10 inches, this would be a considerably larger device, and even the imposing 129-inch iPad Pro would look small in comparison

While the report does not call this device a member of the Echo Show family, it seems like the most apt comparison, and in terms of functionality it seems similar, albeit a bit more customized as a home "hub"

As such, it will reportedly have a "user interface that can display widgets for weather, timers, calendar appointments, photos, and more," but will also continue to include regular Echo Show features such as streaming videos and displaying recipes" It could also serve as an Amazon package receipt status window," the report adds

Perhaps we can expect to see more display-based Echos in the future, as Bloomberg claims that the company "has found that customers are more interested in devices with screens than voice-only devices"

Speaking of screens, the sound bar, codenamed "Harmony," is supposedly intended to take advantage of the biggest thing in the house: the TV At its core, as all the best soundbars do, it is simply a way to increase the sound reliability of your TV, but it reportedly has a secret weapon: a built-in microphone and webcam that allows you to make video calls through your TV, much like Facebook's Portal TV

If Bloomberg's report proves true and this soundbar hits the market, it could well be a huge hit

Also, a second generation Echo Auto is apparently in development As our Echo Auto review reveals, the first version was somewhat underwhelming, but the second generation will likely include a new design and be able to charge devices with inductive technology

A Bloomberg report questioned whether we will see a "major update" to the Echo and Echo Dot this year, with a 2022 push looking more likely However, outside of Alexa-based devices, the company appears to be trying to develop a fitness tracker based on the Halo, one for children and one for the elderly (the latter with a fall detection feature similar to the Apple Watch 7)

The report also sheds light on Amazon products that have been or may be discontinued There was an Alexa-powered karaoke microphone with the codename "Jackson," which has apparently been shelved, and an Alexa robot with the codename "Vesta" is also considered suspect, even though it has been in development for years Reports indicate that staff members, including founder and chairman Jeff Bezos, have expressed doubts about its viability, and it is not hard to see why

The current prototype is said to be simply a 7-inch screen on wheels that follows its owner around and reminds him of calendar appointments Computer vision technology is said to be "effective," but it "has no arms and cannot use stairs Combined with the view that an early version could cost as much as $1,000, one can see why the company considers this far from a sure thing

Amazon will hold an event this week where some of these devices may actually be aired The event will not be streamed to the public, but we will feature all of the products as soon as they are announced, so be sure to check back on Tuesday for some of the new products to add to your wish list in time for Black Friday