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Samsung Confirms Work on Speaker to Compete With Apple HomePod and Amazon Echo
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What does it matter if you perceive Samsung to be copying Apple? Apple tech has long been using Samsung electronics and parts, and if you've got an iDevice you shouldn't be worried about Samsung giving their customers something similar. If there's a market (Phone, Tablet, computer, speaker, etc etc) then anyone can play in it, surely? What were Samsung supposed to do? "Well, it looks like Apple are in the home entertainment/personal assistant market [just like everyone else] so we're out"?
Amazon, Google, Sonos, Countless Wireless devices - all playing music in your living room before Apple. Whether you think that Apple 'do it better' or not doesn't matter - it just means that you can buy Apple's thing if it suits you and you don't have to even think about Samsung's. What's the problem?
Apple are rarely first to the market with anything. MP3 players? Tablets? Phones? Sure, you might prefer an iPod to a whatever else, but did Apple copy that idea? Or is it OK?
Right now, AMAZON have the home assistant thing pretty well under control anyway. They'll no doubt release a better sounding Echo soon too. Anybody going for multi room probably already has a Sonos 9or two), which is cheaper than the Homepod. They're not going to dump it.
It's likely that the Homepod will be amazing in sound and smart features, but it won't be the revolution Apple's telling you it will be. Also see Apple Watch - like that took the world by storm....
People will buy it, they'll release an update, people will buy that, too, but Apple's Homepod won't be the only choice, and if you're playing Spotify [vs Apple Music], then half of the Homepod is redundant anyway.
Amazon, Google, Sonos, Countless Wireless devices - all playing music in your living room before Apple. Whether you think that Apple 'do it better' or not doesn't matter - it just means that you can buy Apple's thing if it suits you and you don't have to even think about Samsung's. What's the problem?
Apple are rarely first to the market with anything. MP3 players? Tablets? Phones? Sure, you might prefer an iPod to a whatever else, but did Apple copy that idea? Or is it OK?
Right now, AMAZON have the home assistant thing pretty well under control anyway. They'll no doubt release a better sounding Echo soon too. Anybody going for multi room probably already has a Sonos 9or two), which is cheaper than the Homepod. They're not going to dump it.
It's likely that the Homepod will be amazing in sound and smart features, but it won't be the revolution Apple's telling you it will be. Also see Apple Watch - like that took the world by storm....
People will buy it, they'll release an update, people will buy that, too, but Apple's Homepod won't be the only choice, and if you're playing Spotify [vs Apple Music], then half of the Homepod is redundant anyway.
It's difficult for individuals that don't understand the concept of separate divisions under one identity. So, it's not an uncommon comment. While you point is accurate, let's not forget that Samsung does report its fiscal margines (end of year) as a singularity.
Did they build 'The Torch Tower?'
lol ... Cute, very cute
(Just goes to show, you should be careful what you name your buildings!)
No. If you read my posts carefully I keep writing that I don't see the HomePod as a competitor to the Echo because there is just one expensive HomePod model vs an entire lineup of Echo speakers in a range of price points . Consumers can afford to equip an entire home with $49 Echo Dots in rooms where good audio isn't required and the more expensive, better sounding Tap or Echo in rooms where good audio is desired.
OTOH the HomePod is $349. I don't see too many people outfitting a multi-room home with HomePods. That's a lot of money to spend on speakers, esp. for rooms where you only really want voice control. As I keep saying, and you keep ignoring, my point is HomePod, at it's size and price, is a one-room speaker, not a system.
And Samsung can try to attract Apple users, but it doesn't have a good track record when it comes to interoperability with iOS. That is not totally Samsungs fault, as Apple controls access. It's just a fact of the situation. And unlike Amazon, it really has nothing to sell Apple users. Again, as I said a few posts back, it doesn't have the services Amazon has. And that is Samsung's big missing component here trying to compete with Echo.
Heh. As a Gen Xer who's priority at 13 was a real stereo system and upgraded ever since to a current-day dedicated HT and 7.1 system I agree. But seems Gen Y doesn't really appreciate audio in that way. They don't see audio as 50% of the experience and are content with simulated surround.
HTs were all the rage in the early 00's when Gen Xers were buying homes. I think homebuyers today see them as an albatross or wasted space. I'm relieved I build mine in a way it could be converted into a bedroom with just a bit of drywall.
Yes Apple created this thing to compete with the echo... That amazon has a range of devices from 50 all the way to 270 dollars is irrelevant.
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This isn't apple making a wireless speaker. It is them making a smart device in the same field as the echo.
If that were the case all of this is mute because Samsung has been making wireless speaker solutions for decades.
Nice try Mr. Apple Apologist. Apple is years behind in the market. The innovation at Apple left the building years ago.
Perhaps. But nothing like you posted.
That's like saying iTunes, Apple Stores and the Apple App Store only exist for Apple to collect personal data to sell iAds with
Look, Amazon already knows what we buy from Amazon. It doesn't matter how we order something.
Personally, I've only bought one thing via Echo in the past year. Instead I normally buy everything via the Amazon app on an iPad, where I have more control over delivery dates, etc. I'd actually be surprised if many people buy much via an Echo.
There is no "while". The Echo is used by everyone I know specifically for its audio assistant abilities, from home control, to general questions, to playing unlimited Amazon Music.
(And now for the visual aid as well, with the Amazon Show, which is also great for older parents.)
Plenty of Apple device owners have an Echo and/or multiple Dots. If they want better sound, they simply connect to better speakers, but frankly the Echo sound is fine for most people.
The HomePod is different. Apple clearly knew that people would need more reason than just Siri. So they came up with emphasizing a speaker instead.
At its price, the HomePod seems targeted mostly towards people living in a single room, who only need a single device.
The echo is in the same field of what Apple has been doing with AirPlay and Siri.
Where is a Samsung speaker with TCP/IP audio?
No offense but wasn’t the echo out first? Who copied who this time? The HomePod is most likely going to be light years better than echo or the others now.
I’m still unsure if I want one. You can’t get great sound from a 4” speaker. Not dying it will sound bad but it’s not going to replace a true stereo setup
Can ANY company just develop something unique for ONCE! My god, just once stop following the freakin leader! So much duplicating!
Lol to all the samesung, copying comments, you do know all Apple is doing is creating a clone competitor to Sonos, and Amazon and Google Home, and.. well, you get the point. Apple doesn't lead on innovation today and just waits for others to trailblazer for them. And Samsung already has had Bluetooth speaker products on the market for years so it isn't a stretch for them to want to add their own personal assistant into them, opposed to whipping up a completely new product out of thin air like Apple did.
For those who have claimed Samsung audio products are poor relations you need to think again.
Recently they have taken on big names from the hifi world to work specifically on audio products.
Take a look at the review below and the opening paragraph is pretty on point in their view (yes its a soundbar but the form is not the point)
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-hw-ms650-soundbar
quoted from above:
"Samsung's HW-MS650 soundbar might be one of the best soundbars of 2017. It is tremendous, achieving not just a wall-shaking volume but also a quality of sound that you’ve no right to hear from a one-body audio product."
or here where they put it ahead of Bose
http://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/samsung-hw-ms650
So one thing we know from Samsung when they want to do it right they will and if this is the start of their new audio products you can guarantee they will throw everything at it. If they can sort out the mess of Bixby then they could have a winner, but untill its released its all just pie in the sky.
They are obviously taking the hifi and streaming market more seriously now as there previous offerings where ***** (i owned one once quickly sold) And i think they would copy Apple in pricing and pitching point as they couldnt compete at the echo price point with bixby
Recently they have taken on big names from the hifi world to work specifically on audio products.
Take a look at the review below and the opening paragraph is pretty on point in their view (yes its a soundbar but the form is not the point)
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-hw-ms650-soundbar
quoted from above:
"Samsung's HW-MS650 soundbar might be one of the best soundbars of 2017. It is tremendous, achieving not just a wall-shaking volume but also a quality of sound that you’ve no right to hear from a one-body audio product."
or here where they put it ahead of Bose
http://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/samsung-hw-ms650
So one thing we know from Samsung when they want to do it right they will and if this is the start of their new audio products you can guarantee they will throw everything at it. If they can sort out the mess of Bixby then they could have a winner, but untill its released its all just pie in the sky.
They are obviously taking the hifi and streaming market more seriously now as there previous offerings where ***** (i owned one once quickly sold) And i think they would copy Apple in pricing and pitching point as they couldnt compete at the echo price point with bixby
Does anyone have the EchoShow here? That thing sounds pretty darn good and fills the room easily with high quality sound. Apple is really going to need to setup up to the plate with this one.
There are and have been plenty of lawsuits of companies in other markets against Samsung. So, yes, I'd say that it is characteristic behavior of Samsung. Take ideas and technologies from others, then mass produce with lower prices and often in lower quality to destroy competition and take over market share.
I thought Alexa was released long ago.They are waiting to get one on release day so they can copy it
You make some good points, but, at least for myself, I find, after playing with voice commands a bit, that typing or tapping instructions is more efficient than speaking them, but to each, his or her own choice. Parenthetically, I have to admit that my post to some extent revealed my age (69). I have a friend, in his 70's, who is well read, takes courses at a local college, but has never had any kind of cell phone OR internet at his house, and I doubt that he ever will. I give him credit for the fact that I have never heard him say "I don't understand why people...."
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Because of course Samsung will copy any product Apple comes out with. I bet it will be white and black and look quite similar.
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Alexa is not a speaker like Apple's. That is a device to order from Amazon and only has a crappy speaker because it's necessary. Apple's is a highend smart speaker that can do a few other things. Completely different purpose.