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Apple's Siri-Based Smart Speaker Has 'Over 50% Chance' of Debuting at WWDC in June
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So where are all the "software event only" people who act as if expecting hardware at WWDC is the stupidest thing a person could possibly do?
Granted this is not the most interesting hardware from my point of view, but I'll be glad if they at least release something tangible. I'd rather see a new iPad Pro or a 12" MB though.
Granted this is not the most interesting hardware from my point of view, but I'll be glad if they at least release something tangible. I'd rather see a new iPad Pro or a 12" MB though.
maybe it has airport / wifi router stuff built in - hence why apple stopped selling routers?
Incorporate Airport Time Capsule Storage as well, and it might be a worthwhile purchase.
I had to laugh... a pretty good idea, but it would also allow the voice recordings to be cached local (by any entity who hacks it). I love Apple, but I don't think I will ever own one of these devices from Apple or anyone anyone.
I don't see the need. My phone has Siri and its always nearby. On the other hand, that assumes that its nothing more than what amazon and google have. Apple always seems to improve upon the user experience and I assume they will make the product more compelling than a me too.
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The other day, I was watching the 2nd round of the NFL draft with my nephew. He asked me who the NY Giants took in the first round. I didn't know, so I said "Hey Siri, who did the New York Giants pick in the 1st round of the 2017 draft". Every time I asked, no matter how specific I got (New York Football Giants, etc), all I would get was what time the San Francisco Giants were playing that day. It was infuriating. I finally gave up, jumped onto Safari and asked on the Google website - instant answer. Reminded me of this scene from the Lego Movie:
Kinda like with HomeKit they are late to the party. With some devices that people replace every couple of years it might be fine, but I don't plan on switching my smart light switches, thermostats, garage door openers every couple of years. I have a couple of Echo Dots that control these devices. HomeKit doesn't and probably never will meaning a Siri enabled device probably won't either.
Here's Apple's thinking "Why combine products when we can sell people two separate devices?"
This is what my Apple TV should be.... it has a microphone, it has siri, it has all of my paid Apple content....
I see a few possible advantages, and some other features they could bundle in, although we may not see all of these in version 1.0.
- No yelling across the room at your phone. You could have one in multiple areas of your house and anyone could access them, not just you with your unique voice print.
- They're always connected to your home and could act as HomeKit relays to areas of your house where accessories are out of bluetooth range. You don't have to buy an Apple TV to act as a HomeKit hub when you're away.
- They could contain WiFi hotspot functionality and multiple units could function as a mesh network, which is much more efficient in covering homes.
- They could potentially act as wireless charging bases—either through direct contact setting your device on top, or by having a device nearby one if they go the true wireless route. I could see them implementing the former in this version, and true wireless in subsequent versions as it seems Apple is ditching those plans this year due to whatever issues they're having.
- They could act as a high quality, whole home speaker system.
- They could potentially house an array of sensors from motion, to temperature, humidity, air quality, etc that could be used as HomeKit triggers for other devices.
How is HomeKit late to the party? It's going on its 4th generation and it's designed to be an abstraction and unlike yoru Echo doesn't a cloud server to work.
I don't have Alexa nor Siri but with google assistant you have a trusted voice neither my wife nor kid can wake up my phone with OK Google. I imagine Alexa and Siri in this application will have the same kind of tech especially if it allows purchases.
As far as form factor goes, I would be surprised if it looked anything like the...outgoing mac pros. I don't think the left over parts logic makes sense because I don't know that they ever would have manufactured enough of them for that to make a dent in units sold of this item.
Integration. I have an Echo Dot and find it almost useless because it doesn't integrate with iCloud. And that's not even Apple's fault - plenty of 3rd party apps integrate with Calendar, Reminders, etc.
It's a real shame too... it's a great little device that works exceptionally well. It just doesn't *do* anything for me.
Siri not very useful.
Overpriced wifi/bluetooth speaker not needed.
Late to party ? very much so.
Overpriced wifi/bluetooth speaker not needed.
Late to party ? very much so.
This will be a winner.
I don't use Google services for email, calendar and reminders. I use the native Apple Tools and share with the family. Having these directly accessible via a smart speaker is nice.
Next is that with Airplay I have something that is going to work on my local network and most likely stream Apple Music directly to the speaker (hence the Ax processor in this)
HomeKit hub...perfect for people that need this without requiring an iPad or Apple TV.
With 18 supported languages Apple will sell plenty.
The Nextgen Siri will be announced at WWDC and Apple will have more partners for its SiriKit.
I don't use Google services for email, calendar and reminders. I use the native Apple Tools and share with the family. Having these directly accessible via a smart speaker is nice.
Next is that with Airplay I have something that is going to work on my local network and most likely stream Apple Music directly to the speaker (hence the Ax processor in this)
HomeKit hub...perfect for people that need this without requiring an iPad or Apple TV.
With 18 supported languages Apple will sell plenty.
The Nextgen Siri will be announced at WWDC and Apple will have more partners for its SiriKit.
What's the point?
People are distracted by criticising Siri. But even if Siri was the best assistant ever - you have an iPhone on you all the time, and for those moments when you can't reach into your pocket for your phone, use the Watch?
People are distracted by criticising Siri. But even if Siri was the best assistant ever - you have an iPhone on you all the time, and for those moments when you can't reach into your pocket for your phone, use the Watch?
Everyone thinks the Siri software is the problem, but the reason the Echo works so well is the the hardware, not the software. It has 7 always-on beamforming microphones that pick up what you say very clearly from any point in the room. A single smartphone mic is never going to compete with that.
it was reported by Wall Street Journal this morning that apple has 250 billion dollars parked on banks overseas. With that amount of money they can give away those speakers to each and every American. Or do something novel like pay their taxes.
"Here's a render of the Siri Speaker @MacRumors was talking about."
Render as in 1 minute of poorly Photoshopping? I'm curious what Apple has to offer though. I was kinda disappointed to hear that there would be no future updates of their AirPort devices.
Render as in 1 minute of poorly Photoshopping? I'm curious what Apple has to offer though. I was kinda disappointed to hear that there would be no future updates of their AirPort devices.
To each his own. I'd rather not buy the technology at all as opposed to buying a neutered version of the technology AND paying a premium for it.