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Apple Working on Amazon Echo Competitor, Opening Siri Up to Developers
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Cares about is also very concrete. It is not really a point of debate that iPhone became and is the benchmark by which all other phones are measured. The design of their touchscreen phone was copied and swept the industry quickly and completely knocking out the incumbents. One would say it changed the industry overnight.
All of which are valid... except one thing.. They weren't first! And to think they were first to market is totally wrong.
Apple Maps wasn't very good on launch, fast-forward to today and it is quite good, but good is subjective. The fact is Apple maps is what most iOS users use on a daily basis.
They are copying Amazon and Google! 
But seriously - it makes sense if you're invested in the Apple ecosystem. It will tie into apple music, etc. However, if it's not tied into google (or another major search engine) - the knowledge aspect will be limited. As an early adopter of the Echo - which has come very far - it is still limited by the content in can access to respond to queries. That's why Google Home is going to be powerful.
But seriously - it makes sense if you're invested in the Apple ecosystem. It will tie into apple music, etc. However, if it's not tied into google (or another major search engine) - the knowledge aspect will be limited. As an early adopter of the Echo - which has come very far - it is still limited by the content in can access to respond to queries. That's why Google Home is going to be powerful.
Again if you define touchscreen as anything that could be touched. They essentially redefined that term with their capacitive touchscreen with multitouch. All other touchscreens became 'touchscreens'.
And as Jonny would say, unapologetically snoopy.
When an app is a defacto of an operating system, it should be used more on a daily basis than a downloaded app. Yes, I know, 3x more than Google Maps on iOS.
"Apple has reportedly been working on an Echo competitor since before the Echo debuted last year, and it will perhaps include features like a speaker, Internet access, and the ability to control HomeKit products. "
Oh. Of course they have. They are secretly working on every product imaginable. They aren't responding to the market at all least of all their competitors. Not like Amazon, Google and Samsung who clearly develop their products overnight according to some on this forum (not necc in this thread)
To be fair - I believe they have been. But who really cares? I don't see why the the article's author even needed to add that in as phrased to emphasize. It contributed to the whole "who did it first" rhetoric.
Oh. Of course they have. They are secretly working on every product imaginable. They aren't responding to the market at all least of all their competitors. Not like Amazon, Google and Samsung who clearly develop their products overnight according to some on this forum (not necc in this thread)
To be fair - I believe they have been. But who really cares? I don't see why the the article's author even needed to add that in as phrased to emphasize. It contributed to the whole "who did it first" rhetoric.
I deleted google maps some time ago since I stopped using it. Safe to say that the maps issue is largely behind Apple. Still room to get better, but googles advantage in that space has been blunted.
When I heard that Apple would be opening up Siri to developers, my ears perked up.—But it's too late for that now! They should've BEEN did that!
In the iOS space, I think you mean. Perhaps you're right. But I still no plenty that were and are completely soured over Apple Maps and won't switch back.
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Well - if you've ever used an echo - you would know that you don't have to remotely scream. I can be in the other room and talk at my normal voice to ask "alexa" something and she can hear and respond.
There's definite utility in a "smart" speaker -which is what these devices are. Being able to broadcast any music in your library, provide information, etc - all without touching a thing. All without affecting the battery life of my other devices. Something that responds even if I am not wearing it or have to go pick it up from wherever it is.
Oh - and my 4 year old thinks it's magical. Which I am sure Tim Cook will use when it's revealed.
I disagree about the dumbing down of the interface. What you use to be able to do intuitively you must now search the internet to find out if you can still do it and how. And you have to be specific about what OS you are using when you search, because if you use instructions from just 2 or 3 years ago things may have changed so drastically that those instructions are worthless.
Not talking about redefinition again. I'm talking first to market. You're stuck on Apple's evolution vs. what really came out first. Hell, Newton was really the first pattern recognition device, but it sucked. Did Palm redefine it? Yes.
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Google is still #1 world wide when it comes to maps. Top that off with their acquisition of Waze, and their routing system just got infinitely better. Now they baked in taxi services into the app itself. They're still way ahead of Apple in that category.
A couple of things. Siri does only about 20 percent of what Alexa does. Not kidding. Sound quality very good for the size. Really fills a room with sound. Amazon released a device called a Dot that adds Alexa to amps that control whole house speakers or higher quality sound systems. Mine 1 1/2 years use, central part of our life. Just some input.
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My grandson begs to come over, arrives and immediately starts his home work by asking Alexa a bunch of questions. We control his access, but interesting. A really nice addition to our house.
Really? I thought Alexa crushed Siri and they are only 2 yrs in. The interpretation and responses were orders of magnitude more accurate and faster. I only used Alexa for a few hours at a friend's house but it was pretty clear how far behind Siri is.
The thing I've always wondered about Amazon Echo is the portability of the device.
In Amazon's promo for it, they show the world's most awkward family using Echo in the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom, etc. Am I to assume Amazon wants you to buy one of these for each room or are you expected to pack it around to the room you want to use it in (thus, defeating the apparent convenience of it?)
I actually think the concept is great but the execution as a standalone device is odd. Apple could kill Amazon in this by expanding Siri in this way allowing you to get the same from your iPhone or iPad, both presumably more portable than the Echo.
In Amazon's promo for it, they show the world's most awkward family using Echo in the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom, etc. Am I to assume Amazon wants you to buy one of these for each room or are you expected to pack it around to the room you want to use it in (thus, defeating the apparent convenience of it?)
I actually think the concept is great but the execution as a standalone device is odd. Apple could kill Amazon in this by expanding Siri in this way allowing you to get the same from your iPhone or iPad, both presumably more portable than the Echo.
I want to see what they launch before I jump to conclusions but if that's all they launch I agree. They should make the Apple Watch the premiere interaction device for Siri, not a home speaker. The watch follows you everywhere and never gets muffled shoved in a pocket. Much better than a phone and always with you so more relevant than a home speaker.
Apple make the second non-crown button on the Apple Watch the Siri button!
