Categories: Archived Post

Rumor: Apple’s Amazon Echo competitor will be a next gen Apple TV

Yesterday it was reported that Apple is working on “an Amazon Echo-like device with a speaker and microphone that people can use to turn on music, get news headlines or set a timer” that will be powered by Siri. Now VentureBeat says that such a gadget may come in the form of a refreshed Apple TV, rather than a new hardware product.

The article says that Apple has considered several options — turning the existing Apple TV into a more comprehensive assistant, making the Apple TV’s Siri Remote the key device, or even building a standalone speaker just like Echo. Ultimately, the third option was dropped, given how much money Apple has spent on the development of Apple TV, according to VentureBeat, which doesn’t list a timetable for such an upgrade.

Chances the rumor is true (IMHO): 50%. I’m almost certain Apple will offer a Siri SDK. I’m less certain about a voice-activated speaker, much less that the Apple TV will add such features.


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Dennis Sellers

Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.

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