Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Why hasn't Apple developed an "Echo" type device??

marc55

marc55

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 14, 2011
872
283
What the heck is up with Apple lately?

Amazon beat them with Echo, Microsoft,is teaming up with Harman Kardon, and then there's Google Home.

I don't know what Apple is doing, but they sure missed the boat on this one. Apple is a technology innovator, but yet, Amazon beat them on this one.

Come on Apple!!
m
 
It's kind of hard to "beat" someone to something when you don't know why that something is a requirement to compete with in the first place.

Apple was beaten to the punch on toasters by Sunbeam as well, a shame really.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chabig
NT1440 said:
It's kind of hard to "beat" someone to something when you don't know why that something is a requirement to compete with in the first place.

Apple was beaten to the punch on toasters by Sunbeam as well, a shame really.
Click to expand...

It's called innovation, something Apple was great at, but it seems they have lost some focus.
 
marc55 said:
It's called innovation, something Apple was great at, but it seems they have lost some focus.
Click to expand...
Focus now means running a "me too" product every time a competitor makes one that has nothing to do with your product categories?

Frankly, I find the echo-type products to be a smart move from Amazon, essentially tying your house into the Amazon purchasing ecosystem. As someone who rarely buys things however I see it as nothing other than an extension of runaway consumerism.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marc55
marc55 said:
What the heck is up with Apple lately?

Amazon beat them with Echo, Microsoft,is teaming up with Harman Kardon, and then there's Google Home.

I don't know what Apple is doing, but they sure missed the boat on this one. Apple is a technology innovator, but yet, Amazon beat them on this one.

Come on Apple!!
m
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be surprised if we see something from them in the very near future.

I don't know how you can beat someone at something that was nothing prior to them developing it. I mean the same could be said about Amazon beating google and microsoft with the Echo. No? Just because they are "going" to release something in the future (Microsoft) or have released something recently (Google), does that still mean they are beating them?

I would am curious at what has Apple released that hasn't already been released? There were phones, there were ipods prior to them releasing them.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: OriginalAppleGuy and aristobrat
marc55 said:
What the heck is up with Apple lately?

Amazon beat them with Echo, Microsoft,is teaming up with Harman Kardon, and then there's Google Home.

I don't know what Apple is doing, but they sure missed the boat on this one. Apple is a technology innovator, but yet, Amazon beat them on this one.

Come on Apple!!
m
Click to expand...

Just a comment on the home automation aspect of voice assistance. I bought an Echo Dot to use with some smart home devices that work with HomeKit and Alexa both. I also have "Hey Siri" active on my phone and since I have the phone with me most of the time, I find I use Siri to control these devices more than the Echo.
I bought a 2nd dot for the bedroom which is still in the box because that's where the phone charges and Siri is always listening. Could be Apple reasons your phone and Siri is a voice assistant.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arran
I feel Apple already pretty much had that covered with near-field devices... Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad with 'Hey Siri'. Plus, Siri is trying to be the privacy queen by only being able to recognize the individuals voice vs other voices. You wouldn't want your wife saying, hey Alexa, read me my appoints for today only to find out your schedule included meeting an old acquainted she didn't approve of right? ;) just a thought. But if anything, maybe if they DID do something, it would be lined up with the AppleTV maybe or a future speaker like the beats pill. Who knows.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arran
marc55 said:
What the heck is up with Apple lately?

Why hasn't Apple developed an "Echo" type device??
Click to expand...

No kidding.

Or how about a mesh wifi system release contemporaneous with the others, which they certainly couldn't have been caught off guard by?

The Apple name alone would've still dominated market share.
 
robwithtoast said:
The compatibility just isn't there.
Click to expand...

Compatibility with what?

I see the silly commercials and I'm thinking "Siri can't tell me what a whale sounds like or pause my music?"

EDIT: I'm conflating two silly commercials. One is for some Google device, the other is Alexa.
 
jmomls said:
If I have an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac--ALLLLLLL with Siri, why the blue blazes would I need an Echo?
Click to expand...

Echo is a music speaker that is tightly integrated into the popular Amazon ecosystem, which none of those other things are.
 
jmomls said:
Compatibility with what?

I see the silly commercials and I'm thinking "Siri can't tell me what a whale sounds like or pause my music?"

EDIT: I'm conflating two silly commercials. One is for some Google device, the other is Alexa.
Click to expand...
You have a wide library of products that work with Alexa voice commands. Siri just doesn't have much to work with. Yes you can use the apps the come with the products but it's not the same. I think once apple releases the "echo" type product HomeKit will develop and catch up pretty quick. Basically with Alexa you can control everything from one item. HomeKit will eventually be this way.
 
Apple clearly dropped the ball on this. We need to accept the fact that Alexa is the iPhone of assistants.

To make things worse for Apple, Amazon appears to be making Alexa more than just an Amazon Echo, but an AI solution that can be installed across multiple devices and services. When Alexa support comes to Sonos, I'll be hard pressed not to buy an echo.
 
AustinIllini said:
Apple clearly dropped the ball on this. We need to accept the fact that Alexa is the iPhone of assistants.

To make things worse for Apple, Amazon appears to be making Alexa more than just an Amazon Echo, but an AI solution that can be installed across multiple devices and services. When Alexa support comes to Sonos, I'll be hard pressed not to buy an echo.
Click to expand...
I personally want one. I can't decide if I want to wait for apple to come out with the competition or buy the echo.
 
robwithtoast said:
I personally want one. I can't decide if I want to wait for apple to come out with the competition or buy the echo.
Click to expand...
The concern if you're Apple is that Amazon has beaten Apple to the punch when it comes to a closed eco system with a working SDK. They are parked right in the middle of Apple's typical wheelhouse.
 
AustinIllini said:
The concern if you're Apple is that Amazon has beaten Apple to the punch when it comes to a closed eco system with a working SDK. They are parked right in the middle of Apple's typical wheelhouse.
Click to expand...
Are you planning on an echo? Or are you waiting to see if they'll come out with a bang?
 
AustinIllini said:
I'm actually holding out on the whole field. When everyone has a device, we'll see what happens. Echo is going to start supporting Sonos, which is certainly tantalizing.
Click to expand...
Yeah I definitely want to get some smart switches, thermostat, etc. I'm still waiting on the whole voice system. I really want to see what Apple will offer. That's if they are still working on the device.
 
I like the idea of an Echo-like device in my kitchen but wouldn't want a non-Apple device because it wouldn't be compatible with my current calendars, reminders, music etc etc - everything I currently use Siri for.

So, I had an idea. I have a spare iPhone 6 which I could keep in a dock in my kitchen. All that I would need is a more sensitive microphone so it would hear 'Hey Siri' requests from across the room - I've checked, it won't do this with the built-in mike.

Does anyone know if such a microphone is available to do this, and has anyone else tried using a iPhone or iPad in this way?

Cheers

Phil
 
Philsy said:
I like the idea of an Echo-like device in my kitchen but wouldn't want a non-Apple device because it wouldn't be compatible with my current calendars, reminders, music etc etc - everything I currently use Siri for.

So, I had an idea. I have a spare iPhone 6 which I could keep in a dock in my kitchen. All that I would need is a more sensitive microphone so it would hear 'Hey Siri' requests from across the room - I've checked, it won't do this with the built-in mike.

Does anyone know if such a microphone is available to do this, and has anyone else tried using a iPhone or iPad in this way?

Cheers

Phil
Click to expand...
In my opinion siri Just isn't ready. You have very few options as far as saying Siri do this and that. Not many devices work with Siri.
 
Philsy said:
Siri does all I want of it when I'm in the kitchen - control music, convert weights, add to shopping list, check appointments. I just need a hands-free option.
Click to expand...
I know of nothing at the moment. Although if you had an Apple Watch or Bluetooth headset you could walk around with that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back