I don't disagree with you about Siri at times being unresponsive. However, I find Alexa's voice to be incredibly slow and somewhat annoying, which is enough reason for me To not being interested after testing it. I know Amazon will improve the OS with Alexa, but truthfully, I still have good experiences with Siri being thorough enough for my needs and welcome changes coming, hopefully in iOS 11.
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Amazon to Unveil New Echo Speaker With Touchscreen as Soon as Tomorrow
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I don't disagree with you about Siri at times being unresponsive. However, I find Alexa's voice to be incredibly slow and somewhat annoying, which is enough reason for me To not being interested after testing it. I know Amazon will improve the OS with Alexa, but truthfully, I still have good experiences with Siri being thorough enough for my needs and welcome changes coming, hopefully in iOS 11.
I wonder why people think that a product like the Echo Dot would benefit from a screen? That fact that it doesn't have a screen and does NOT resemble a regular computer at all is exactly what makes the Echo Dot so innovative. Releasing a product like this actually took courage -- and Amazon had to be sure that their voice assistant works well, because when voice is the only way to interact with the product, all weaknesses will be revealed immediately and you have to deliver real quality to ensure that people keep using it. And Amazon delivered.
Giving the Echo a screen does not necessarily add real value -- it might be nice to see a weather forecast or an upcoming appointment on the screen, for example, but this is not what this device is about. Its invisibility is its greatest appeal.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned is how Echo and the Dot are helpful to those who are disabled. Turning on the lights, setting alarms, having books read to them from Audible etc.. many things we do and take for granted are infinitely harder for those with disabilities. The Echo along with home automation make these simple task simple if you are handicapped. There is a long list of things the echo can do for you. It also learns as you use it. When my husband ask for music she automatically knows that he's only interested in classic rock so that's what she plays unless he says otherwise.
Heck, soon they will build a new Mac Pro before we see one from apple
the Echo pro that outperforms the 2013 unit
I am so glad it isn't just me that feels this way.
Siri is hapless. I wish Apple would have an MS type panel for programs and features where I could turn 90% of their gimicks off and remove them from my devices.
Hmm.
My 92 year old mother used to be able to use a Skype machine, but has slowly lost the ability / memory. Multiple attempts to teach her to use Facetime have also failed.
But if she could simply ask the room to call so-and-so and see them, then all her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, cousins, nieces et al, would get something compatible.
My 92 year old mother used to be able to use a Skype machine, but has slowly lost the ability / memory. Multiple attempts to teach her to use Facetime have also failed.
But if she could simply ask the room to call so-and-so and see them, then all her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, cousins, nieces et al, would get something compatible.
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They still have a whole business day. And they might announce it in the US first, so evening time EU
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Agreed.
Also if existing echos could make video calls and even use cameras built into TVs...that would be a very nice experience.
I'd get that for my grandmother. She could not use a computer, but voice requests would suit her
To record, and analyze everything you say and do- so they can market you.
You're wrong!
I have 5 echos in my household and a screen would be a real benefit.
Current Echo: Alexa what movies are playing at the moment. She replies and after the 6th movie you've forgotten the first. Same if you ask train times etc.
New Echo: Alexa what movies are playing at the moment. She replies and now also displays the results on the screen.
Boom!
Phil Schiller yesterday: A voice assistant without a screen doesn't "suit many situations."
Phil Schiller today: *crickets*
"Can't innovate any more, my ass" Oh, wait, wrong company...
None of the home assistants do that. They only transmit the query that follows the wakeup keyword (Hey Siri, Alexa, Okay Google, Computer, etc).
Vaguely and mostly indirectly. If I asked for a certain type of music a lot, I suppose Apple / Google / Amazon could use that knowledge to sell ad slots targeting me on my more general computing devices. They could also conceivably sell top response slots if you asked for a product recommendation, or where to travel or what airline to take.
So what. We've been getting audience targeted ads for decades, while listening to "free" radio or watching specific "free" TV shows. It's a fair trade for services as long as I don't have to listen to any actual commercials on my voice assistant.
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I am in the market for a new iPad: the mini is now almost two years old and the recently refreshed iPad is the same as the old one, with the exception of the SoC, which is not even the current one. I am not impressed, Tim.
Leaked images
Ugly tech from the eighties, but it gets the job done i guess. It's modeled after the video-phones in classic movies.
I think the main feature amazon are going to push here is the video and text capability. Video will only be available if your relative or friend has one of these devices.
Voice only will work on existing Echos, Dots.
These devices may replace the home phone one day.
Voice only will work on existing Echos, Dots.
These devices may replace the home phone one day.
I don't get it. Apple has this product already, iPad or even iPhone, and airplay speakers. It just needs the required software. But Apple needs to get off their arse and invest in software development much more. This doesn't need a separate product.
I am an Apple fanboy with an iPhone 7+, iPad pro, iPad mini, MacBook Pro and two apple watches. I though never use Siri and use my Echo and 3 Dots around the house. They plug into my HA system perfectly. I can turn on the TV, change channel on my Tivo, control the lights, the kettle and the Nest thermostat. Admittedly, I need a couple of Raspberry Pis to get Alexa to talk to all these devices (via software called habridge), but it 'just works'. I also have something called Homebridge installed on a Pi that brings more devices to Siri and homekit, but the fact is Siri just doesn't work as well as Alexa does...at the moment. Be interesting to see what Apple bring out - however, I think I am too far into the Amazon Echo ecosystem and I normally buy anything Apple!
Agreed. Cameras, screens, speakers - all of the old news. I wanted the Echo with the 'extendo-arm' that could reach out and pick on my glasses on the nightstand and put them on my face for me.
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That's what a tablet is for.
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Says the guy who hasn't used either product, has no inside information, and just assumes anything with an apple logo on it must be good.
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yea, you know, just like ... a smart phone!
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We have Echos and Google Assistants because Siri is garbage and needs a lot of work before it comes even close to Amazon or Google.
IF (and it's a big if) are getting into this area it could be why IOS 11 is rumoured to be Siri heavy in terms of upgrades and so on. It was rumoured in November that Siri is going to sound more natural and be able to do a lot more things, maybe this is their Eco competitor is the reason why http://www.techradar.com/news/apple-may-be-working-on-a-more-natural-sounding-siri
I think Apple could do some great things in this area but they need to give us a reason to buy the device.
I think Apple could do some great things in this area but they need to give us a reason to buy the device.