Apple allegedly working on Siri stand-alone speaker with HomeKit integration

Apple appears to be stepping up efforts to combat Amazon's suite of Alexa voice recognition devices, with a Siri-based home voice assistant reportedly in the works.

According to a Bloomberg report, a two-year project implementing Siri directly in an Apple TV-sized device has reached the prototype phase. Allegedly, the prototypes "control appliances, locks, lights and curtains via voice activation" according to sources, suggesting a HomeKit controller.

The prototypes are said to include facial recognition sensors for user identification, plus advanced microphone and speaker technology to combat perceived shortfalls of Amazon's Alexa voice recognition family.

Early efforts at home Siri integration reportedly included speakers in the fourth generation Apple TV itself, with the company ultimately deciding to include a microphone in the remote instead. A second effort is said to have included "proprietary surround sound technology" but what that specifically defines is not clear.

The stage for a Siri whole-home integration device has been set

A possibility for simple Siri speaker configuration is Apple's new W1 chip, as implemented in the AirPods recently unveiled by Apple. Utilization of the W1 could result in a "one-click" setup through compatible devices, with addition of the device to an existing network with the same ease as pairing the AirPods with an iPhone 7 by opening up the charging case.

Apple's Siri at the core of the device has been given a boost in capabilities and accuracy since release. Siri shifted to a "deep neural network" to improve the product in 2014, according to Apple executives when interviewed in August.

The Bloomberg report suggests that new Siri speaker prototypes are being tested in engineers' homes. Depending on the developmental stage, the prototypes may require U.S. Federal Communications Commission approval, and a device spotted working its way through the system on Thursday matches suggestions that the device may be similar in size to the Apple TV.

33 Comments

zroger73 787 comments · 13 Years

About 8 years ago

Too bad Apple didn't have a dedicated, always-on Siri appliance before I bought my three Amazon Echo devices. I've grown quite fond of them.

dachar 330 comments · 11 Years

Apple do appear to been rather slow with this kind of device. Hopefully they will catch up the likes of Amazon.

I think Apple need to do more to engage with hardware manufacturers. I have a Tado heating control system and LIFX lights. The manufacturers have already embraced Amazon Echo first and only Tado has announced that it will be providing access to Apple Home. Unfortunately this requires replacement of the recently introduced Tado internet bridge version 2 with version 3. The v 2 bridge works with Amazon Echo without needing replacement .

l plan to try controlling my Tado heating using first Amazon Echo and in a month with Apple Home to compare how well each works.

rogifan_new 4297 comments · 9 Years

sog35 said:

zroger73 said:

Too bad Apple didn't have a dedicated, always-on Siri appliance before I bought my three Amazon Echo devices. I've grown quite fond of them.

I still don't understand the benefit of an Echo.

Could you not do the same thing with your phone? I don't see the point of having something plugged into a wall, instead of your phone or watch.

IMO, the Echo seems like a move backwards

Echo doesn't require you to look at a screen. I still don't completely get the need but Apple makes most of its money selling hardware so I guess they feel they need another new hardware product to sell?

talexy 80 comments · 10 Years

dachar said:

Apple do appear to been rather slow with this kind of device. Hopefully they will catch up the likes of Amazon.

I think Apple need to do more to engage with hardware manufacturers. I have a Tado heating control system and LIFX lights. The manufacturers have already embraced Amazon Echo first and only Tado has announced that it will be providing access to Apple Home. Unfortunately this requires replacement of the recently introduced Tado internet bridge version 2 with version 3. The v 2 bridge works with Amazon Echo without needing replacement .

l plan to try controlling my Tado heating using first Amazon Echo and in a month with Apple Home to compare how well each works.

Same view here. Today (at least for me) it has already become a problem that too many devices listen. I have an Apple Watch and an iPad, which is in the kitchen most of the time. Recently I adressed my watch "Hey Siri, call ..." and both the watch and the iPad would respond. First i was wondering where the voice came from, since only the iPad talked back to me.

Siri will have to get drastically better for a product like this to be successful. This is embarrassing: Just this morning I asked Siri "when is the World Series" and Siri replied "sorry I couldn't find any games or schedules matching your request". For a device like this to be useful and successful voice assistant has to be top notch. Siri has a long way to go.