If rumours are to be believed, Apple could launch an AI enabled speaker that will pit it directly in competition with Amazon’s Echo. Similar rumours were in circulation last year but Apple had denied these later. Now too, the information is that there is at least a 50% surety that it will happen at the annual Worldwide Developers’ Conference to be held in June and the actual sale might start later during the second half of 2017. The credibility to the rumours is gained through reports that the device’s prototype testing were being done as early as September last.

Design aspects revealed

Some reports suggest that the speaker device would be cylindrical in shape with a conclave top surface and speaker meshing all around. The similarity to the Mac-Pro also partly comes through. The acoustics performance of the speaker would be boosted by the presence of a woofer plus seven tweeters and will be run by an exclusive version of iOS with Beats technology about which the details are still to emerge. Analysts expect the speaker to perform like the iPhone 6S in terms of its computing ability.

Smart device to control home appliances

The device being discussed will also function through the SIRI voice command route and can be used to control many operations within households like opening and closing of curtains, operating locks and lighting and so on. There are even separate reports which claim there could be an in-built camera that can be deployed for face recognition and other related security functions.

Whether or not Apple’s intentions are to take on Amazon’s Echo or Google Home is not clear. If one went by these rumours and reports, Apple could actually price this new smart speaker at a level higher than Amazon Echo which costs $189.

One may have to wait till June, perhaps, to be sure of what Apple is up to in this space.