Apple's Siri speaker heads into production, could debut next month at WWDC
So far Apple’s digital voice assistant can only be heard on the company’s handset products, but soon a new speaker “Designed by Apple in California” will be voiced by Siri.
The speaker has already headed into production by the Cupertino-based technology giant and could be revealed on the firm’s annual developer’s conference WWDC (Worldwide Developer’s Conference) scheduled to kick off on June 5. However, the device is not expected to be release anytime sooner after its launch. According to people familiar with the matter, even if it is unveiled at WWDC this month, it will not be ready to ship until later this year.
KGI Securities analysts Ming-Chi Kuo, one of the most reliable Apple seer around, had hinted about a smarter version of Siri—a smart speaker which will operate on Apple digital voice assistant Siri to take on Amazon Echo and Google Home.
He said, “We believe there is an over 50 per cent chance that Apple will announce its first home AI product at WWDC in June and start selling in the second half of 2017 in order to compete with the new Amazon Echo models to be launched.”
The device is said to differ from Amazon Echo and Google Home speakers by offering virtual sound technology and deep integration with Apple’s product lineup.
According to Kuo, the smart speaker will have “excellent acoustics performance” from one woofer and seven tweeters and computing powers similar to iPhone 6/6s AP. The device would be positioned for the “high-end market,” “better entertainment experience” and could cost “higher” than Amazon Echo, that is, more than $179.
If Apple brings in the smart speaker, it is speculated to serve a tough competition to the already established products like Amazon Echo in home assistants market.
Introduction of the Siri-speaker is believed to beneficial for Apple itself for two reasons: One, it will provide a hub to automate home appliances via Apple HomeKit system. Second, it will help Apple locking customers into its own network services inside home.
Other than this, Apple is also expected to unveil its latest product software during the keynote, including iOS 11, the latest version of macOS, and updates to watchOS and tvOS.
Apple sometimes does use the platform to unveil some of its hardware products too. Rumours suggest Apple might launch a new 10.5-inch iPad, a refreshed version of iPad Pro and updated MacBook Pro computers.
