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The Chatterbox, a Raspberry Pi smart speaker that you can build and teach yourself

The Chatterbox has already reached nearly four times its funding goal. (Image source: Chatterbox)
The Chatterbox has already reached nearly four times its funding goal. (Image source: Chatterbox)
The Chatterbox is a DIY smart speaker that even children can build. The device has a chipboard case and is built around a Raspberry Pi 3B. The speaker can be taught new commands using the Chatterbox app too. The Chatterbox is currently available for US$119 on Kickstarter and ships worldwide in December.

The Chatterbox is a smart speaker with a difference. Unlike devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home, the Chatterbox only listens when you want it to do so. Better still, you can teach it new commands and repair it if something breaks.

The speaker is built around a Raspberry Pi 3B, for which Chatterbox has designed a ChatterVoice HAT. The company has incorporated a microphone board, a small speaker and an arcade-style yellow button that all sit in a laser-cut chipboard case. Chatterbox has also developed Chatter OS, which it pre-loads on a microSD card. The OS does not collect data like other smart speakers do and is advert free. Chatterbox ensures that it complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) too.

The Chatterbox is designed with children in mind, but not exclusively so. The smart speaker can be programmed by the Chatterbox app, or from within a web browser with the Chatterbox Skill Builder. The speaker can control lights, play music and even make calls, although its abilities are practically endless. Theoretically, the Chatterbox should be able to control anything if you program it to do so.

The Chatterbox is currently available to order from US$119 on Kickstarter but will retail for US$139. The campaign has already reached nearly four times its funding goal with 40 days to go and reached its funding goal in 1 hour and 7 minutes of going live. The speaker comes with a Raspberry Pi 3B, a ChatterVoice HAT, a USB power cable, a power supply, a speaker, a microphone board, a microSD card pre-loaded with Chatter OS and a chipboard enclosure. The Chatterbox will ship worldwide in December and can be ordered here.

(Image source: Chatterbox)
(Image source: Chatterbox)
(Image source: Chatterbox)
(Image source: Chatterbox)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 05 > The Chatterbox, a Raspberry Pi smart speaker that you can build and teach yourself
Alex Alderson, 2019-05-26 (Update: 2021-09-28)