Updated Apple TV may form foundation of Siri-based Amazon Echo competitor - report
While Apple is indeed said to be working on competition for Amazon's Echo voice assistant, it should come in the form of an upgraded Apple TV instead of a separate speaker-like device, a report claimed on Thursday.
Apple has actually dropped the idea of a standalone speaker given the money spent on developing the Apple TV, a source explained to VentureBeat. The company wants the Apple TV to be "the hub of everything," the person commented.
A fifth-generation model will allegedly solve some of the problems with the current set-top and the Siri Remote. It's suggested that the set-top will eventually get its own microphone and speaker, and that Apple will be improving its computing infrastructure to handle more Siri queries. While the technology is already available on the Apple TV, it's more limited there than on iPhones and iPads.
Supporting these developments will be the previously-rumored Siri SDK for developers, allowing them to hook third-party apps into the platform, the source noted.
The report didn't specify when a new Apple TV might actually launch. While many Apple products are updated on an annual cycle, the Apple TV has so far been one of the exceptions. Also, while an announcement could be made at next month's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is unlikely to update hardware so quickly after the fourth-gen model's October debut. A fall launch may be more likely.
The proposed upgrades could pose problems for Apple, among them the fact that many Apple TVs are situated directly next to noisy home theater equipment. Another is the fact that the Echo -- and Google's upcoming Home -- aren't tied to TVs, and hence can work in any room with internet access.
Apple has actually dropped the idea of a standalone speaker given the money spent on developing the Apple TV, a source explained to VentureBeat. The company wants the Apple TV to be "the hub of everything," the person commented.
A fifth-generation model will allegedly solve some of the problems with the current set-top and the Siri Remote. It's suggested that the set-top will eventually get its own microphone and speaker, and that Apple will be improving its computing infrastructure to handle more Siri queries. While the technology is already available on the Apple TV, it's more limited there than on iPhones and iPads.
Supporting these developments will be the previously-rumored Siri SDK for developers, allowing them to hook third-party apps into the platform, the source noted.
The report didn't specify when a new Apple TV might actually launch. While many Apple products are updated on an annual cycle, the Apple TV has so far been one of the exceptions. Also, while an announcement could be made at next month's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is unlikely to update hardware so quickly after the fourth-gen model's October debut. A fall launch may be more likely.
The proposed upgrades could pose problems for Apple, among them the fact that many Apple TVs are situated directly next to noisy home theater equipment. Another is the fact that the Echo -- and Google's upcoming Home -- aren't tied to TVs, and hence can work in any room with internet access.
Comments
Meanwhile, Siri has to get way, way smarter. I have a ATV4, and hardly ever use Siri. The only function I find useable is "what did he say?" Because that is the only way to access the feature.
Apple TV is using the same mobile platform that the other iOS devices use. The expense is largely a sunk cost since it's leveraged across all iOS platforms. There's nothing that prevents a speaker attached to the same AXX platform. I i'm not sure this comment inspires any confidence in their report.
How would a device like this help me in my kitchen or my bedroom where there are no TV? Why would I want an AI device with 32GB of storage? Why would I want an AI device that requires two connection (Power and HDMI)?
This rumor doesn't sound well thought out.
if Apple opens the SDK to where OEM's can make their own speakers(like they did with Airplay) and hook into the ATV similarly like one with AirPlay.. We could see Siri Enabled Speakers from many manufacturers that sends any Siri related requests to the ATV.
From this standpoint, that makes complete sense.. I mean.. Why develop your own speakers, with a CPU/APU, when you can allow OEM's to make various kinds and you just facilitate from an existing platform, the Apple TV.
This does a few things:
I am a huge home automation sceptic and cannot see that voice activation will help anybody do anything better or quicker. It just seems like a 'we can so we will' kinda thing. If you have sensors and microphones in every room, then maybe. I think this will remain a hobby for a very long time.
Isn't this just the rumours we had before the current Apple TV came out dug up, revived, and being sold as new?
As for placement of the microphone, each Apple TV comes with a microphone that you're supposed to carry around with you. They could supplement that with separate microphone units, probably sold at a premium.
Recipes and playing music while I cook. I'd love to see the AI with the smarts to go step-by-step and pause waiting for my command before moving on. I wouldn't need a book voice would be enough. Bonus if the AI could offer substitutions and size up/down the ingredients based on how many people are being fed.
I like my Hue system but eventually I did grow weary of grabbing my phone to make changes so I purchased the wall mounted control which I like very much. Now I have a button that can be configured to control zones and it can cycle through presets that i've created. It certainly fills a gap. My ecobee thermostat is another thing that I prefer being able to voice command via homekit.
That being said HomeKit is still a bit flakey. Here's hoping that 3rd time's a charm.
Why didn't Apple think of this before, like when they were making the newest generation Apple TV, if their plan is to incorporate it into the next Apple TV?
If Apple is planning to release an echo competitor, then I think that it should just be a separate product, and sub $100. A small speaker with SIRI incorporated into it is all that's needed.