Samsung Aiming to Release Smart Speaker to Compete With HomePod in First Half of 2018

[Norbs12]

Are you never going to buy an iPhone again because they source parts from that "scummy company"?

I actually have a lot of respect for the the semiconductor division of Samsung.
For GPUs Samsung VRAM is very sought after since it overclocks significantly better than competitors.
Their SSD are pretty damn nice.
I just don't respect the people that put this stuff into actual product. It's usually extremely gimmicky... For a while they were basically cloning anything Apple made without an ounce of their own creativity. Apple does marketing but Samsung marketing is almost ingrained with deceit. You don't have to see that, I don't care, it's just observations I've made over time. I think Samsung mobile got better hardware wise, they finally just went off in their own direction but their software skins are still gimmicky. They overall improved but still lost a lot of respect for them.

No I won't stop buying Apple products that contain Samsung semiconductors. I've got no gripes with that division, it actually takes a lot of talent, creativity and thought to produce that type of stuff. Can't say the same about the consumer products that Samsung produces. Exploding washers, exploding phones, cheap plastic gimmicks...

 

[Kaibelf]

If apple could release a google home mini competitor that I can hook up to my existing speakers and apple tv. I can't see the reason to have a separate home pod in my living room when I have an apple tv and 5.1 speaker system the only thing missing from the setup is a mic to allow 'hey siri' functionality.

This is likely aimed squarely at people who don’t have your setup. The target is almost certainly people who use either just TV audio or a basic sound bar and are ready to step up to something like a 5.1 or a Sonus solution.
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I don't understand the need for smart speakers. Can't one just connect their phone to a bluetooth sound system and then use Siri from the phone?

You are assuming everyone has a Bluetooth sound system that they want to tie to a phone for the functionality. The echo dot wouldn’t be a success if it required a phone for input.

 

[npmacuser5]

I don't need to spend $350 for a smart speaker. Siri already stinks enough on my iPhone and Mac and I already have many other speakers in my home. #NoThanks

Echo Dot for you. Your speakers with benefits.

 

[Mildredop]

Well then I think you might be waiting a while… I absolutely love my echo speakers. I imagine in 10 years they’ll be nearly as ubiquitous as smartphones are now

My opinion is no more or less valid than yours, but I want to print what you've said and hang it on my wall.

Smart speakers are (in my opinion) the most pointless tech ever created and I simply don't understand the hype. They won't be around long.

 

[DesterWallaboo]

I would never put any of these in my home.

 

[jasonklee]

I am sure that Apple's HomePoop for all its "innovative" beam-forming technology is pure gimmickry. Positioning it as an audiophile's kind of speaker is outright embarrassing. No audiophile would ever buy a speaker from Apple, omni-directional 7-tweeter array and 4-inch up-facing subwoofer notwithstanding.

 

[FasterQuieter]

It is extremely odd that they haven't released one already. Perhaps they have and no-one noticed.

 

[oosamon]

In other news, Samsung will be releasing a Mac Mini in February.

 

[Eduardo1971]

Of course they would.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Cant wait for this "smart speaker" fad to slowly fade away.

Smarthome isn't a fad. It's net will be cast far and wide in the home. Lights, locks, thermostats, appliances and more. It's fantastic.
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I don't understand the need for smart speakers. Can't one just connect their phone to a bluetooth sound system and then use Siri from the phone?

It's for more than just audio. If you have enough rooms in your house then you understand the need. If you live in a two room apartment, then I see where you are coming from.

 

[George Dawes]

samsung truly are devoid of any originality whatsoever....pathetic

they make microsoft look like creative thinkers

 

[eoblaed]

I want my pair of HomePods D:

 

[62tele]

Apple is so late to the party. Does anybody really care anymore?
It's not just that there is little innovation or new product development, Apple can't even meet their own expectations for release dates. They have had a fair amount of time to think, rethink, design, redesign, engineer and produce a smart speaker, even given the limitations of Siri with Apple's concern for privacy.
Slowly but surely I believe Apple is becoming the new Microsoft. It is said that the senior engineers at MS got fat and happy, resting on their established customer base and stifling new ideas, innovations from gifted, younger engineers. Everything from Apple seems to be small, incremental enhancements.

 

[npmacuser5]

My opinion is no more or less valid than yours, but I want to print what you've said and hang it on my wall.

Smart speakers are (in my opinion) the most pointless tech ever created and I simply don't understand the hype. They won't be around long.

Said the exact same words about the “Horseless Carriage” automobile. At this point no one knows for sure and only time will give us the answer.

 

[satchmo]

One wonders if the HomePod’s delay has anything to do with the recent acquisition of Shazam.

I mean the delay is quite significant. Perhaps a realization that it needs more to compete.
Hopefully new features...and a cheaper price?

 

[69Mustang]

If Samsung can't at least do this, they probably shouldn't even try.

 

[Abazigal]

Can Apple improve Siri to enough to compete with other AI assistants?

You are assuming that voice assistants are the sole reason why people will buy the HomePod in the first place.

 

[Abazigal]

One wonders if the HomePod’s delay has anything to do with the recent acquisition of Shazam.

I mean the delay is quite significant. Perhaps a realization that it needs more to compete.
Hopefully new features...and a cheaper price?

My guess is probably airplay 2. Hardware-wise, the HomePod is likely fine, and I don’t expect any changes in price. Apple just needs some more time to iron out the software (especially since airplay 2 is one of the key selling points).

 

[IbisDoc]

Meanwhile, Apple continues its dithering in the smart speaker space.

 

[moabal]

Now that I think about it, it is pretty smart for Apple to make their Smart Speaker music centric. Otherwise, having a speaker in your home is a bit useless. Even though Siri is not perfect, other AI Assistants can only do so much. The fact is people have Siri on their Apple Watches, iPhones, iPads, Macs, etc. These are items one may have with them all the time. Thus, the only value proposition of having another item is for it to be a kick ass speaker.

 

[Black Magic]

Samsung #MeToo

 

[JMO1]

The main issue that I feel the Homepod will face will be the lack of third party support. While I may use Apple Music many don't. I think this thing will face many of the initial difficulties the original iPod had which was its dependency on the Mac. Once Apple opened it up to the PC it did much better.

I think it will be the lack of understanding song titles correctly (which will be its main job starting out)

 

[tech4all]

More competition is always good.

In other news, Samsung will be releasing a Mac Mini in February.

Better that than treating the Mac mini like an unwanted step child.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Hello, BixBot.

 

[Deliro]

I kind of wish that MacRumors would just pretend Samsung just doesn't exist, it's just free advertising to a scummy company.

So just ignore the fact they exist? Wish them to go away, SMH... I enjoy tech news, regardless of the company. "The more you know..." - So MacRumors, keep posting articles like this. Thanks.