Apple's Echo-Like Smart Speaker With Siri and AirPlay Could Debut as Early as WWDC

[avanpelt]

Unless Siri has gotten a whole lot more intelligent by the time this speaker is released, there's absolutely zero chance of me even considering buying one.

To be remotely useful on a device like this in a home with more than one person living in it, Siri would have to be able to recognize different voices talking to her on the fly and be able to interact seamlessly with the calendar, reminders, etc. that are tied to the iCloud account of the person speaking to her. I'm not sure Apple can pull that off...not with the first iteration of this device, anyway. I hope they prove me wrong. Also, more robust third-party integration (which Siri is sorely lacking at the moment) is definitely needed.

Edit: Now that I think about it, my family would have zero use for this device unless it's something different than what is rumored in this article. We have Sonos speakers in our home and we can access Siri either via iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. We don't need another avenue to access Siri.

 

[T5BRICK]

I don't regularly use Siri on any of my Apple devices. When I do use it, I'm almost always disappointed.

I prefer Googles voice assistant and I've heard Alexa is great. Apple is facing some pretty tough competition here, and they're very late to the race. I seriously doubt they'll do well.

 

[motulist]

Skating to where the puck already was.

 

[Apple Corps]

Wondered what took them so long

Two words: Tim Cook

 

[Abazigal]

I have Siri on my wrist everywhere, what do I need an Echo clone for?

(self-answer: I can see the utility of a W1 equipped speaker).

Am I the only one who doesn't wear his Apple Watch at home?

 

[mazz0]

I'm not clear on what devices like these are for - can someone give me some examples? I assume there's not much point in one if you wear an Apple Watch?

By the way, what's W1?

 

[Abazigal]

Wondered what took them so long

Getting the minor details right, I guess. Like, you know, not having your home assistant accidentally triggered by a television advertisement.

 

[ackmondual]

Wonder how she will suggest to search the web without a screen

This one hooks up to your iPhone or iPad? If you don't have one, it'll order one for you

 

[The Game 161]

Getting the minor details right, I guess. Like, you know, not having your home assistant accidentally triggered by a television advertisement.

Well hey Siri gets triggered by YouTube videos

 

[doelcm82]

If Apple true to form, it will only play Apple Music, only manage HomeKit devices. No thank you.

Yes, thank you. When it comes to home automation, I'd prefer my garden to be walled.

 

[agentx]

Siri great for setting timers and um...saying "I'm sorry i cant help your with that"

 

[Abazigal]

I'm not clear on what devices like these are for - can someone give me some examples? I assume there's not much point in one if you wear an Apple Watch?

By the way, what's W1?

Mainly for home automation, is my guess. Controlling your lights and such. I have little experience with such products, but I have read about people using them to set timers, play music and quickly look up stuff on the web.

If Apple can build an airport router into one, I might still see myself getting one, else I will likely give this product a pass.

 

[macsrcool1234]

Siri is far too stupid to even come close to being as useful as Alexa

 

[jayducharme]

There will be one other unannounced feature Apple will bring to this: it will be more expensive than other similar products on the market.

 

[macsrcool1234]

Apple is really knocking it out of the park lately. Visionary.

Cringe
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That's fine, Apple. However it would have to be really amazing to displace the Echos in my house. First, Siri will have to be far better at handling commands and second Siri will need to easily be extendable by third parties. That doesn't mean a walled garden can't be done (most of Alexa's add-on skills are crap) but it has to really reduce the barrier to entry.

I bet Apple charges $99 to be able to integrate skills

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

Siri is the biggest piece of crap ever. It never understands anything that I say, and whenever I try to pull up someone from my address book with an ethnic, non-American, non-Anglo name it goes batsh*t crazy. Tim Cook needs to be fired, the state of Apple today is unbelievably bad. Now they think throwing something on the market just because the other guy is doing it is a good thing? Since when?

Apple absolutely can no longer innovate. That's clear. Look at the iPhone that has barely evolved. Look at iMac that has not been updated in how long? Look at Macbook Pro and all the controversy surrounding the last release. Then look at Mac Pro that will not have been updated to current, basic technology until sometime next year or beyond. Apple's Board of Directors should be raving mad and should replace Cook immediately with someone who actually has passion for what he does.

At this point Microsoft has a more creative, more passionate CEO than Apple and their products show it.

 

[Dwalls90]

Mainly for home automation, is my guess. Controlling your lights and such. I have little experience with such products, but I have read about people using them to set timers, play music and quickly look up stuff on the web.

If Apple can build an airport router into one, I might still see myself getting one, else I will likely give this product a pass.

I really think this new product will be just that - a router and echo-type product combined into one, or a new ecosystem around this (similar to Echo and Echo Dots). I don't believe they've abandoned the router arena altogether

The issue I see is that, at least for me, I'm used to hiding routers in obscure locations like closets where one would never interact with it.

 

[liven2]

So they dump routers, and start making echoes? Absurd. Who wants this? Why not just use the phone/watch you always have on you? What am I missing? I'm a pretty big fan boy but this won't be on the Christmas list.

Who wants this?? Just look at the rapid increase in sales numbers of the Echoes... Apple needs to get on board. I have been converting my house to more automation devices and having a hub where I can control this would be excellent! Not only that, being able to control music and other services would also be fantastic!

I think you are not seeing the future... This IS the future and Apple needs to do something.

 

[hagemahal]

No thanks. I don't want the NSA listening in on me.

 

[redscull]

So they dump routers, and start making echoes? Absurd. Who wants this? Why not just use the phone/watch you always have on you? What am I missing? I'm a pretty big fan boy but this won't be on the Christmas list.

Exactly. My watch means I have Siri in my immediate vicinity at all times already. And you know what? She's still only marginally useful. I don't see how a product like this makes any sense. Apple first needs to wow me with significantly improved Sirir usefulness. Only then would I consider increasing her presence in my home.

 

[Abazigal]

I really think this new product will be just that - a router and echo-type product combined into one, or a new ecosystem around this (similar to Echo and Echo Dots). I don't believe they've abandoned the router arena altogether

The issue I see is that, at least for me, I'm used to hiding routers in obscure locations like closets where one would never interact with it.

Well, Apple products are practically conversation pieces unto themselves. Make a router nice enough to display in the open and you will have no reason to want to hide it.

 

[agentx]

No thanks. I don't want the NSA listening in on me.

They already are...

 

[orbital~debris]

So they dump routers, and start making echoes? Absurd. Who wants this? Why not just use the phone/watch you always have on you? What am I missing? I'm a pretty big fan boy but this won't be on the Christmas list.

It's still speculation that Apple has "dump[ed] routers", though.

 

[liven2]

Siri is the biggest piece of crap ever. It never understands anything that I say, and whenever I try to pull up someone from my address book with an ethnic, non-American, non-Anglo name it goes batsh*t crazy. Tim Cook needs to be fired, the state of Apple today is unbelievably bad. Now they think throwing something on the market just because the other guy is doing it is a good thing? Since when?

Apple absolutely can no longer innovate. That's clear. Look at the iPhone that has barely evolved. Look at iMac that has not been updated in how long? Look at Macbook Pro and all the controversy surrounding the last release. Then look at Mac Pro that will not have been updated to current, basic technology until sometime next year or beyond. Apple's Board of Directors should be raving mad and should replace Cook immediately with someone who actually has passion for what he does.

At this point Microsoft has a more creative, more passionate CEO than Apple and their products show it.

Oh Brother!! Yes Siri has short comings mainly due to the fact it is not capturing everything you do and storing it on some server some where. It is harder for Siri to learn because of that and also because Apple's MO is to give you absolute privacy. It is a tough balancing act but it is something they are working on. Give it time, it will get better! In fact it has gotten better in recent years. I do think Apple is resting on it Laurels a bit but they are not as bad as you are making them out to be. *deep breath*

 

[CmdrLaForge]

For me Siri works so bad. Therefore I cannot imagine being interested in such a device. Way to go Apple to make Siri more stable.