Apple could reportedly introduce Siri-based smart speakers at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) to be held in early June this year.
In Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities perception there are "over 50 per cent" chances of Apple to launch a smart speaker, operating on its digital voice assistant Siri, at the WWDC slated from June 5 to June 9.
“We believe there is an over 50% chance that Apple will announce its first home AI product at WWDC in June and start selling in the second half of 2017 in order to compete with the new Amazon Echo models to be launched,”Kuo told Mac rumours.
According to Kuo, the smart speaker will have “excellent acoustics performance” from one woofer and seven tweeters and computing powers similar to iPhone 6/6s AP. The device would be positioned for the “high-end market,” “better entertainment experience” and could cost “higher” than Amazon Echo, that is, more than $179.
Earlier report suggested the smart speaker may also sport a built-in camera.
If Apple brings in the smart speaker, it is speculated to serve a tough competition to the already established Amazon Echo in the emerging market of home assistants.
