Following a report from earlier this year that claimed that Apple is working on a competitor to Amazon’s Echo (shown above), more details on the device have now come out.
Apple is still working on its Echo competitor, say sources speaking to Bloomberg. The device will be able to control appliances, locks, lights, and curtains around your home using your voice. It will also be able to perform various Siri functions, like reading your email, sending text messages, and streaming Apple Music.
One way that Apple is trying to help its device compete against Amazon’s Echo and Google’s upcoming Home is with better hardware. That includes better microphone and speaker tech. Apple is also reportedly testing facial recognition sensors in its device.
There’s no word on when Apple’s Echo competitor might launch, and it’s possible that the project could be scrapped altogether. However, one source says that the device is now in the prototype stage and that some Apple engineers are testing it inside of their homes.
With the Amazon Echo seemingly growing in popularity and Google prepping its Home device, it makes sense that Apple would at least be investigating a similar product of its own. Now we just have to wait and see if Apple can get the device to where the company is happy enough with it to actually release it to the public.
Are you interested in smart home devices like the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and this rumored Apple product?