Apple’s readying a home ‘Siri speaker’ to rival Amazon’s Echo and will ship it this year, according to reports.
Bloomberg cited sources who said the speaker would feature Apple’s artificial intelligence bot Siri, as well as virtual surround sound technology, sensors that detect room acoustics and adjust levels automatically, and deep integration with Apple’s product line-up.
The speaker, which would take on similar products from Amazon as well as Google, would also reportedly offer a hub to automate appliances and lights via Apple’s HomeKit system, which is yet to fully take off.
It’s reportedly already in the manufacturing stage.
Bloomberg’s sources said Taiwanese firm Inventec — which makes Apple’s wireless AirPods — would likely assemble the product, which could be launched at next week’s WWDC conference on June 5.
Other rumoured announcements for announcements for WWDC include new iPads and refreshed MacBooks, including faster Pro and Air models, as well as new iterations of iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS.
Amazon’s Echo speaker is set to launch in Australia some time this year.
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