“The rumors saying that Apple is working on a Siri-based Amazon Echo rival are back, with a noted insider saying that Apple is currently finalizing the design for the unnamed product,” Chris Smith reports for BGR.
“‘Apple is currently finalizing designs for their Alexa competitor, expected to be marketed as a Siri/AirPlay device,’ Sonny Dickson said on Twitter,” Smith reports. “Dickson, who has a decent track record when leaking details about unreleased Apple products (especially iPhones) also said the upcoming Echo rival is ‘believed to carry some form of Beats technology, and is expected to run [an iOS variant].'”
Apple is currently finalising designs for their Alexa competitor, expected to be marketed as a Siri/AirPlay device.
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) April 27, 2017
It is believed to carry some form of Beats technology, and is expected to run an variant iOS
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) April 27, 2017
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take:
Wi-Fi router capabilities to be built into Apple’s Echo echo? — MacDailyNews, November 21, 2016
Also, as we wrote in March 2016:
Something along the lines of Amazon Echo is what Apple should have done if run by competent, forward-thinking management. When Apple finally does do their version of Amazon Echo (and they will get around to doing such a product eventually) they will rightly be called a follower. The company had all of the ingredients to make their own Echo, before Amazon, except for the vision, it seems.
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And, as we wrote back in June 2016:
There could be a psychological component to this that leads people use Alexa over Siri precisely because they know the Echo is there (it’s a physical object), but forget about Siri being everywhere, even on their wrists (because Siri is embedded inside devices that are “for other things” in the user’s mind (telling time, watching TV, computing, phone calls, etc.) and therefore “hidden” to the user. Hence, Siri gets forgotten and goes unused while people use Alexa…
Again: We believe people use Alexa because Amazon Echo is a physical manifestation of “her,” while forgetting about Siri even though she’s on their wrists at all times and/or in their iPhones and iPads because Siri is hidden inside objects whose primary function is something other than “personal assistant” in people’s minds (watch, TV, phone or tablet, as opposed to “Siri.”) Alexa is present thanks to the Amazon Echo. Siri is absent because she has no such counterpart; no physical manifestation.
Siri is a ghost. Alexa is that cool, fun, glowing tube right there on the counter.
Apple would do well to not discount the psychology behind why people use certain features, even though cold, hard logic tells them it’s a redundant and unnecessary product.
An “Apple Echo” device would sell in the millions of units per quarter and boost Siri usage immensely.
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s Amazon Echo echo: What if AirPort Extreme becomes the Siri speaker? – December 1, 2016
Apple abandons development of wireless routers – November 21, 2016
Apple’s Amazon Echo echo – September 26, 2016
Apple’s Amazon Echo rival said to include includes built-in cameras to read users’ emotions, recognize faces – September 23, 2016
Apple’s Siri-powered Amazon Echo-like device reportedly now in prototype testing – September 23, 2016
Why an ‘Apple Echo’ would be a hit – June 15, 2016
New Apple TV to take on Amazon’s Echo, source says – May 26, 2016
Apple preps Amazon Echo rival, opening up Siri – May 24, 2016
Apple should make a stationary voice command device like Amazon’s Echo – May 19, 2016
Google unveils its Amazon Echo knockoff called ‘Google Home’ – May 18, 2016
Where’s Apple’s answer to Amazon Echo? – March 31, 2016
Amazon Echo leads mindshare in smart home platform war – February 29, 2016
Why did Apple buy a startup whose tech can read emotions via facial recognition?/a> – January 7, 2016
Apple buys Emotient, maker of artificial-intelligence tech that reads emotion by analyzing facial expressions – January 7, 2016
I don’t care if Apple FOLLOWS (though LEADS is not a half-bad idea unless it’s a 2013 Mac Pro) just as long as it’s BETTER. On almost every Apple product historically there has already been precedent. Apple just took it further. This thing should be an order of magnitude or two higher than Amazon’s & others devices. One would hope.
It probably will be. I still don’t want one.
Just like that good old Apple TV. Yeah, that’s been a real show of Apple tech. Just push the Siri button on the useless remote and prepare to be impressed with ineptitude and cluelessness. Doesn’t matter that Apple is such a laggard. Really?
Apple under Cook has been one product disappointment after another. While Cook pushes services services services, Apple has reduced its hardware product lineup to two things: the annually updated iPhone, and Other stale overpriced stuff that Apple just can’t seem to consistently improve. Ancient dumbed down overpriced sealed devices, fashion watch bands and rose golds netbooks, while the state of the Mac stagnates. So-called pro devices that are obsolete on the day Apple releases them, then unimproved for 4 years. Software that is less efficient than it was in 2009. We old Mac owners have had just about enough of Apples mismanagement. I fail to see any reason to even look at an Apple branded Alexa knockoff. Under Cook, what makes you think it will be any improvement over the useless Siri you have now?
No thanks, when I want your help, I will ask for it.
Have a nice day!
Siri responds: huh? I did not understand your question
Me: not surprised
Siri responds: huh? I did not understand your question
endless loop—if you let it
Unfortunately, instances of frustration versus those of aid are greater when I use Siri.
Yes, Apple has historically (Siri’s interpretation: his store Akley”) adopted a current technology and made it better. I would rightly distinguish the truth linked to “Steve Job’s Apple”, because I cannot say that “TC’s products” stand apart in that way. The AirPods, which I’ve never experienced, may be an exception?
This is one product I have zero interest in.
I do not want something that is constantly listening to everything in my house.
Let alone the fact I rarely use Siri anyways because she rarely understands what I want.
Given Apple’s current rep for quality control, here is the scenario.
Siri, turn on my ceiling fan
(Unlocks the doors)
Siri, turn on the TV
(Launches the TV but fails to power up the Apple TV)
Siri, set the thermostat for 72 Degrees
(Turns on the sprinkler)
Siri, go to sleep
(Turns on the Jacuzzi)
Siri, call 9-1-1
(Places your standard order from Domino’s)
This is the Cooked Apple. The me-too Apple knockoff will arrive 2 years after the competition launched, and many many months after ideal seasonal sales opportunities. It will cost 20% more than the direct competition, it will be missing functionality, and at the press release Apple will subject everyone to a video of Ive reminding everyone how carefully he neutered the hardware in order to make it thinner.
Then Apple will fragment iOS into yet one more fork, but per usual practice will require anyone with any current Apple device to update iTunes and tell everyone you need to subscribe to iCloud to use any of the features of the new orb. Your existing iPhone will nag you daily that you must have the latest iOS to support a device that you don’t own.
The most dedicated fad Apple item owners might get in line for the latest Apple branded orb, but that crowd is shrinking fast. most iPhone owners know they already have the best digital assistant Apple has to offer in their pockets. (But of course most grade Siri so poorly, there is nothing Apple will be able to do to convince them to permanently install a Siri dumb box in their homes).
The MDN take is uninformed. The Alexa fad already peaked. There are 3 Alexa user groups: dedicated Amazon shoppers, clueless parents who substitute human adult involvement with their children for whatever digital crap keeps their brats entertained, and Amazon employees. You could do anything with an iPad or IPhone that you can with an alexa.
But more importantly: why would anyone want a voice-only device? Knowing how poorly the internet cesspool is polluted with ads and misinformation, why would an intelligent adult want to rely on Amazon (or Google, or Apple) to filter the information you receive???? One can only form accurate opinions when one takes in all available info from all sides of an issue. That is exactly the opposite of what Siri and Alexa and Facebook have offered. And while Google search started off as a great way to net a wide swath of info, now Goole is just an ad engine, pushing only those results that represent Google Adsense using companies. Like MDN, for instance.
Final thoughts: if you think this will be Apple’s proper push into home automation, think carefully. All wireless and all voice systems are severely hampered in their value. Proper home automation or security is much more sophisticated than just plopping an electronic brick onto your kitchen island.
How about something like this:
https://www.intuitionrobotics.com/elliq/
I suppose the blinking light can be useful for the hearing impaired. But the moving head antics are a bit creepy. At least the designers didn’t stick a fake human face on the things.
Totally creepy are the videos of nice old Japanese ladies getting all affectionate with lifelike robots. Disgusting. Find a real living thing for a friend and kick the robot under a bus. Please.
That above gizmo is coming from an underfunded, smallish company. Apple has unlimited resources and years to improve Siri, but the results are beyond mediocre. It’s embarrassing that the competition is so far ahead of Apple in so many disciplines.
Something is very wrong at Apple. My guess is it stems from Ive’s perfectiontist mindset. 1.5 years to develop a stupid door handle? Are you fucking kidding me? The employees of Apple propbably see this and must of decided to work as slow as possible to mimic their hero. Who is going to say anything when the god-king takes forever to make a decision?
And so we have the uninspiring, lost in the glory of yesteryear Apple of today. Siri 2.0, or whatever they call it, better be light years ahead of that above crap because it looks like Amazon, Google, etc. are taking no prisoners.
Does that mean Apple will be as big of a burnout as Blackberry was, or will they cull the deadweight and try to salvage some sort respectability. Btw – shit sandwhich Siri can’t even recognize the word “cull”. Pathetic.
LMPatience: Ive’s perfectionism may result in a look that you don’t like, but perfectionism is exactly what’s desired if you want good design. You know that Steve ordered wires in the iMac to be color-arranged as he desired? Again, this requirement was INSIDE the machine. I’d say that was a heavy dose of perfectionism and, the uninformed could deem it as nutty. I think there’s a problem with editing. Products are deemed qualified “market ready” when they’re not, both technically/aesthetically not ready. I remember Steve talking about his greater pride re: products that got the axe, than those given the green light. Phil, Eddy and Tim are not good product gate-keepers, imo. Tim spouts his goal of making great products and he probably means well, but design knowledge isn’t his forte. I’ll guess Ive’s perfectionism isn’t where it needs to be. Steve was absolutely f’g ruthless in this regard and no one has filled this gap.
Hmmm. Copying Amazon – now that’s innovative.
I am concerned with RF signals constantly steaming through my tissues. Aren’t you? Wires have no such concern.