It ’s game - time ! Apple just announced its long - awaited take on a smart speaker , completing the chic loudspeaker system triumvirate along with Google and Amazon . The gadget itself is n’t particularly remarkable , but it is an Apple gadget . That ’s a big hatful for a lot of people .
The new Apple HomePod is a lot like its competition : Amazon Echo and Google Home . you’re able to activate it with a backwash word—“Hey Siri”—and necessitate an unnaturally healthy assistant , Siri , to play euphony . The HomePod comes with an array of six microphones so that it can beak up your spokesperson from any direction .
Apple predict the Siri team has made some update so that the AI operate comfortably for music petition . Apple has also make HomePod a “ rest home assistant ” that can answer all variety of interrogative and distinguish you about the conditions or the traffic . HomePod also works like a bright family hub for all HomeKit - compatible devices . So now you could require Siri to turn on the lights or lock the threshold without be active a muscular tissue . you’re able to also control your HomeKit devices remotely now , using the Home app on any iOS gimmick . Yes , you may do the same thing with an Amazon Echo or a Google Home , but think : this is an Apple widget .
Photo: Alex Cranz
Where Apple hope to stand out in its late entry to the impudent speaker grocery , however , is by place extra emphasis on the loudspeaker system part of the equation . While the Echo and Home are n’t known for great sound caliber , Apple engineers — presumably with some help from Beats engineers — built the HomePod for high - fidelity audio frequency quality . That admit a “ seven light beam - form tweeter array , ” “ precision acoustic horns , ” and “ directing control . ” Apple says that you do n’t need to do it what that intend but the seven - inch - tall speaker sounds really great . There ’s also a “ virtual surround speech sound ” characteristic that helps the small speaker meet up a elbow room with your unhinged jam . In other word , Sonos is now an Apple challenger .
That ’s all fun and games until you start to question if Siri is now spying on you and your loved ones . Apple allege that “ only after ‘ Hey Siri ’ is recognized locally on the twist will any information be sent to Apple server , encrypted and sent using an anonymous Siri identifier . ” It ’s unclear what happens to the data once its on Apple ’s servers .
The new utterer will cost $ 350 . It will total in blank and space gray and will start ship in December . And even though it ’s not as feature film carry as the latest Echo , you’re believably going to need it , if you ’re an Apple fan . Even if you ’re not , it ’s a fine - front widget .
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