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That Apple readying its own artificial intelligent speaker powered by Siri has already been doing the rounds for quite some time. However, the latest on this has it that the speaker could likely be launched during the WWDC event scheduled in June.
Needless to say, the said device would be eyeing straight at the segment currently dominated by the Amazon Echo line of speakers.
However, the Apple device will be a more premium offering and would be priced higher. Apple is also making sure the sound quality too offers that premium touch, and would likewise feature as many as seven tweeters and a subwoofer.
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Worth mentioning noted Apple expert, Sonny Dickson too had claimed the Cupertino giant would be launching its Siri-powered intelligent speakers during the WWDC event. A launch during the June event also seems like if Apple wants its developers to tap into the speaker’s capability to open up new vistas of user conveniences.
Amazon had first launched its Echo speaker range in 2014 and has since been a unique success story. In fact, so huge is its appeal that the Alexa powered speakers is even predicted to outsell the iPad by 2018 itself.
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- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Not surprisingly, the segment has got others preparing suitable contenders to take on Echo, with Google Home being the other big player here. Microsoft too is believed to be up to something on this front though details are scarce so far.
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Kuo meanwhile has estimated Apple could end up shipping 10-12 million units of the speaker during the first year of its launch.
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- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Apple also seems to have a few inherent advantages with its speakers vis-à-vis Echo given that Siri has a wider reach with its support for 18 languages. In contrast, Alexa is able to converse in only English.
The vast user base of Apple products comprised of iPad, iPhones, iPods, Macs and such will also ensure the speaker will have an instant market to operate in. The speaker will no doubt be closely tied in with these devices to offer a seamless user experience.
In contrast, Echo is more of a lone player that counts on its compatibility with Android and iOS. That said, Echo can help you with your shopping with the entire Amazon retail backbone behind it, something that Apple again lacks.
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