Google plans to rival the likes of Amazon and Alibaba further with a smart speaker equipped with display, Nikkei Asian Review reports-- a product "likely to be similar" to the Amazon Echo Show with a planned holiday release.

"Google targets to ship some 3 million units for the first batch of the new model of smart speaker that comes with a screen," an industry source tells Nikkei. "It's an aggressive plan."

The search giant turned CE maker launched the Smart Display platorm earlier this year. A number of companies already have Echo Show-style products based on the system, including Lenovo, JBL, LG and Sony, but so far Google is still sticking with the Home line of regular smart speakers. Like these speakers, the model with the display should accept voice commands via Google Assistant, but would also be able to show YouTube videos, calendars and maps.

According to Bloomberg, Amazon is working on a "new type of digital recorder for the streaming era"-- essentially a TiVo rival able to work around cable providers.

Reportedly dubbed "Frank," the device includes physical storage and paires with Fire TV boxes through the same wireless technology used by Echo devices. The story adds users will be able to record live TV and stream the video to smartphones for later viewing, functionality already offered by TiVo and Dish Network's Slingbox.

Indy Audio Labs brand Acurus joins the Cinema Designer (TCD) manufacturer database of home theatre design software, allowing installers and delaers using TCD to add Acurus home theatre processors and amplifiers in their designs.

TCD allows one to design everything from small media rooms right up to high render channel count immersive audio home theatres. It brings the entire cinema design process, from creating 3D CAD drawings and 3D renders to working out the mathematics associated with technically correct cinema and media room design, in a single place, automatically updating calculations and ideal equipment placement in real-time.

AV driver developer Intrinsic Group launches Intrinsic Connected-- a quality standard the company says will allow both vendors and installers to identify quickly and easily if a certified Intrinsic solution is available.

“Anyone can write code,” the company says. “But, writing effective drivers for smart home integration products and applications demands real installation knowledge, controls know-how and practical experience. All Intrinsic engineers have spent a minimum of 5 years in the field as product installers and system integrators. This experience is critical in how we create and build Intrinsic Connected driver solutions. It’s why we’re acknowledged as the company behind the most reliable, best functioning and optimised drivers for AV integration on the market.”

The Audio/Video industry plays a $2.2 million role in the first trial resulting from the investigations of Robert Mueller, US special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Prosecutors allege Paul Manafort, once President Trump’s campaign chairman, failed to pay taxes on $60 million he made to get Russia-friendly Viktor Yanukovych elected as President of the Ukraine.

Four years later, as Yanukovych turned away from the EU to Russia, in February 2014, Ukrainians took to the street in a revolution. Yanukovych had to flee (to Russia, of course) and the Ukraine still wants him for high treason. After Yanukovych bolted, with Russian influence in Ukraine waning, Putin gave the order for Russian troops to invade and occupy key Crimean locations, including airports and military bases. Russia formally annexed this seaside part of the Ukraine.

Paul Manafort was at the center of this, being paid handsomely to help install a pro-Russian government. And the fall-out created an international incident where Western countries including US slapped penalties on Russia, angering Putin and leading to the famous Russian intervention in the US election.

The European Commission fines Asus, Denon & Marantz, Philips and Pioneer for breaking EU antitrust rules, leading to higher prices for "kitchen appliances, hair dryers, notebook computers, headphones and many other products."

The announcement follows the recent €4.3 billion antitrust fine put on Google, the result of "illegal practices regarding Android mobile devices to strengthen dominance of Google's search engine." As for the 4 above mentioned vendors, the EC points out all engaged in "fixed or minimum resale price maintenance (RPM)," or not allowing retailers to set own product prices.