ENTER SAMSUNG: THE SCOOP 
Samsung just submitted documents to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on behalf of a device called the Scoop, which include photos of and a users manual for the device. The Scoop appears to be a new entry into the virtual assistant market, i.e. a Bluetooth-connected system with a speaker and microphone, that could compete with Amazon Alexa and the upcoming Google Home.
Interestingly, the Scoop is small like the Amazon Tap but also comes with a strap, implying the unit is meant to be mobile.
Samsung is of course a major smartphone vendor, shipping an estimated 78 million units or a 22.8% share of the worldwide smartphone market. What is unclear is whether Samsung has the voice-recognition capabilities to compete with Amazon, Google, Apple, etc. It also isn’t clear how exactly the Scoop would interact with its mobile phones as the FCC paperwork did not include information about a companion app or other connectivity solutions.
Then again Samsung replaced its head of mobile business in late 2015 which could suggest the company is set on doubling-down in this market. Dongjin Koh, the new leader, previously oversaw the creation of the Knox security software and Samsung Pay. Having someone at the top with strategic experience in security and financial transactions might be a great way to start to overcome key issues regarding the profitability of Virtual Assistants.
