It looks like Apple is finally going to create a competitor to the Amazon Echo (Image Source).
The Siri Speaker?
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is set to release a Siri controlled smart speaker device which it could debut at its 2017 developer conference (June).
According to the report:
"The device will differ from Amazon.com Inc.’s Echo and Alphabet Inc.’s Google Home speakers by offering virtual surround sound technology and deep integration with Apple’s product lineup."
This isn't really a big surprise given how successful Amazon's Echo speaker in particular has been for them.
I think what is surprising is the length of time it has taken Apple to actually bring something like this to market.
My Thoughts
A while back @andrarchy did an excellent review of the Apple Airpods (find it here).
One of the points he made which really struck me was that these earphones were a new, more accessible way of interacting with Apple's virtual assistant.
Most people are probably not going to wear something like Airpods all the time and it struck me at the time that it was strange that Apple had not created a smart speaker offering.
It may not be something that I would use (even if you put aside privacy issues some kind of wearable device like a Fitbit might be more appropriate for me) but I think these kinds of devices are ideal for people like my parents.
They are people who are not complete technophobes but could really benefit with having a device that answers all those basic (tech and other) questions that I end up having to answer.
From what I have read the Amazon Echo has been one of their most successful devices to date and I wonder how much of these have been purchased by people in their thirties and older for their parents?
In fact, were it not for the fact that I have switched my parents, grandmother and various other older family members to the Apple ecosystem (to make my life easier) - I would already have bought them all Amazon Echos.
A device that would hook up with all their existing Apple devices in that typically "Apple" way would be perfect and an obvious buy for someone like me.
Better Late Than Never Or More Evidence That Apple Has Lost Its Edge?
I am really surprised that Apple have taken so long to come up with this - it is perhaps further evidence that they have lost their "edge" since Steve Jobs passed away.
The Air Pods were a bold move but it seems that since then they have gotten left behind a little bit (- especially so when it comes to their computer offerings).
I hope that the Siri speaker has some innovations beyond just surround sound - frankly I don't see why that would be of benefit on this kind of device.
That said, I am more of an audiophile and I would not consider listening to music on anything that did not have high quality speakers and amplification.
-So perhaps I am not the right person to make that kind of judgement.
What do you think? Is surround sound a big innovation for something like this?
Conclusion
Assuming there are no major problems with this new speaker system I will most likely be buying a few to give to my older relatives.
My hope is that it will help to empower them to solve some of their technology issues in a more easily accessible way, without me having to intercede as much.
Perhaps I'm being unrealistic but I think it is worth trying out - assuming it is not outrageously expensive!
Hopefully they won't take too long to release it and they will make it in sufficient quantity so that it doesn't instantly sell out.
What do you think - would you be interested in this sort of device? Would it be for you or for someone else? As always let me know in the comments.
Thank you for reading
I realize this is a major breakthrough... for a civilization that still uses paper and has no flying cars.
Congratulations.
Lol:)
@thecryptofiend, I really wish some clever developer would invent a decentralized blockchain version of this so our data could be free from the walled gardens of Amazon and Apple :)
That's a really good idea. I'd be surprised if someone isn't working on something like this. I think speed would be a problem though at the moment. The current forms of AI assistants require a lot of centralised computing power to function quickly and efficiently.
Take a look a Golem - decentralized supercomputing on the blockchain: https://golem.network/
I'm sure an open-source hardware company could partner with Golem or some Golem-like company to do the job at a fraction of the price. A Steem-speak home node would be good ... we could narrate our posts into it ready for posting :)
Yes I know about Golem - they don't actually have anything functional right now and I think it is not appropriate for these kind of tasks at least not until networking and computing technology improves sufficiently.
That is the greatness of this blockchain. Everyday is a new direction, a new clean slate. There are so many websites that could be blockchained. Even SSL web-security could be replaced by a more secure blockchain version. I've been using SSL since 1998! It needs an overhaul too ... so, so many ideas @thecryptofiend! Did you know there are 14,000 variations of birth certificates in the US alone? Imagine what blockchain could do there?! Ideas overload!!
Maybe Apple just needed to curry some favor with the CIA?
Lol yes.
The potential of Siri App:
lost it at "Britney, Britney"
i hope Siri Speaker does not work like this...
i actually hope it does.
Hello my friend
Creative competition between companies did not stand and we are currently the era of technology
Resteem This Post
Thank you!
Maybe it was pattened. Apple got sued for voice activated technology (Siri) it was pattened by someone else. I remember reading article about it also Apple sued Samsung for phone design, samething like home button and Siri business. So i think perhaps they had it pattened and it might end soon
Interesting hadn't thought of that.
nice....your post deserve upvote and resteem....
Thank you:)
u r welcome...u deserve it...
This item will save a lot of steps!
Siri Sucks, I hope Google comes out with one, with an app store. Alexa, also sucks, I have one and hate it. Luckily it was free.
Google does have an alternative - don't know how good it is.
Soon in small text with Warning labels.....
EVERYTHING YOU SAY WILL BE RECORDED AND USED AGAINST YOU!
I don't know what happened in that murder case but yes it could.
I personally own an Amazon Echo and love it to bits. Overall, I must say I'm pretty pleased with it's functionality and it would take something damn special to warrant it's replacement.
Thanks very much for the heads up on Apple's venture into this specialised technological arena. It will be an interesting comparison to make between the two upon release and I'll be keeping my ear close to the ground on this one.
Great stuff as always, mate. All the best, @thecryptofiend. :)
Thanks mate! BTW are you on twitter? Can't remember if I'm following you there.
Sorry, bro. I have a twitter account set up but must admit I haven't been too active on it. To be honest, I logged in for the first time in ages a few days back to vote for BTCC, lol!
But I'm looking to change this. I know I should be on twitter more, especially since I'm so involved with Steemit.
Definitely dust it off and start using it!
meep
You bet, @thecryptofiend! :)
Apple has gone nuts. Sorry to say.
Amazon Echo is far better. And offers shopping experience, while being cheaper.
Siri Speaker, will once again, just support Apple's ecosystem. A value add-on, at a premium price.
That's what Amazon does too as far as I know they only let you buy things from Amazon.
Hehe! Exactly my point. Amazon does the same yet it is far more useful as it offers shopping.
It's doing the same thing as Apple though. I think the problem is Amazon is so easy to use that eventually we won't have any other shops left! They are even moving into physical shops now.
You mean the other way around, isn't it?
Hehe! YES! India has started using Amazon and boy, we are already the second biggest market for Amazon.
I totally rely on Amazon and I love it.
Rarely do I spend offline. Dig those discounts. Always do.
Apple, however, offers everything at an extra-premium price.
Amazon is not cheaper and monopolies are never a good thing.
Forgot to ask does India have it's own Amazon now?
Yep! Been four years now! :)
@thecryptofiend I'll be watching WWDC. I'm also going through some MacBook Pro woes and there's a credible rumor they'll finally be releasing Kaby Lake processor MBP's. What are your thoughts on the new Echo with touch screen?
Yes Kaby Lake Macs are pretty likely. I would also like to hear more about the new Mac Pro that they are working on. I would like a real expandable computer rather than a fancy paperweight this time.
Its interesting for sure but I would have to see it in the flesh to really get a proper impression. Have you tried one?
It is striking that they have not acted in sequence, I find it hard to believe, maybe they are working on something more important and they are going to revolutionize the market, a few days ago I read a report about the company where they show that it is one of the most profitable and pioneering companies in the market .
Excellent information, thank you very much dear friend @thecryptofiend have a beautiful day
Thanks you too!
Is anybody actually using these virtual assistants for any real benefit?
The whole gambit of "privacy vs. comfort!" seemed scary, but there's not even a point to these "active listening" audio devices. My $20 bluetooth speaker from Walmart works just fine, only thing I'd ask for in a better device is improved audio quality.
They are not really much use to someone like me. I suspect they may be better for older people?
Siri is two fries short of a happy meal. She needs improvement to compete with Alexa.
Right - I haven't used them so don't really know. It certainly seems like Amazon are ahead.
We use Alexa and I must say she is very smart :)
I have actually built several voice assistants on my raspberry pi 3. I made one with AWS and utilized alexa voice commands, and I also made one with the open source source software jasper.
I lost interest and began other projects shortly after I got them working, but it really wasn't too hard and it was definelty very practical. I also had the ability to only tun on wake word detection when I wanted to, so there was a major improvement in privacy as well.
I didn't even realise it was possible to do that. Perhaps it is a topic you could do a post on?
Yeah that's a good idea. Ill try to get something up in the next few days and ill be sure to link you to it.
Cool send me it in the chat.
I like it! I already use Siri all the time on my phone but then you have to be quite close to your phone and it has to be charging. This will be much better!
I think so, but we will have to see. The weird thing is I have never used Siri even once on all my Apple devices.
I'd suggest trying it sometime. Works amazing with whatsapp and the calendar
I think I just feel funny talking to my devices!
Haha you will, and that doesn't go away, at least it didn't for me. Still 10/10 will keep doing it and being wierd
Lol.
Other than providing aid for the elderly, I don't see how this can be of any actual use. (other than showing off to friends of course)
That's what I think too. I think for older people they are great - for me there is no real need or compelling feature (at least not yet). Plus the privacy thing concerns me too.
yeap. the cloud started to get way too needy...
Lol:)
I buy this just to say Hi NSA...or Hi CIA :)))
Lol - that is another reason why I am not keen on these myself!
:))) when I saw the video a little while ago, I laughed, Ans these people think that really all are fools...