Recently, smart speakers began to become the focus of technology giants competition. In addition to Amazon Echo and Google Home in the field of smart speakers opened the "war", with the launch of last week's Invoke smart speakers, Microsoft has also been enrolled, multi-source confirmed that Apple has been on the road, the moment gathered, Three missing a wait for Apple's shot, Apple's shot time is likely to be June 5 opening of the Apple Developer Conference (WWDC).
May 9, Amazon released its new Echo Show smart speakers, the product is equipped with 7-inch touch screen, and add 5MP camera, the user can talk, watch the video, view pictures and so on.
May 11, Microsoft in its Build conference, launched with AI voice assistant Cortana smart speaker Invoke, the speaker hardware by the audio industry's long-renowned Harman Cayton manufacturing.
And has always been known for the confidentiality of the Apple, recently also been exposed to its smart speaker device is about to release. According to rumors, Apple will launch its own hardware products to replace the Amazon Echo and Google Home in the smart home in the core position.
Apple's entry, will set off what kind of "reign of terror"?
1、Apple smart speakers, true and false?
According to foreign media Phone Arena reported on May 7, in the previous paragraph, there are two interesting rumors about smart speakers. One is the next generation of Amazon Echo products will be with the screen, the other is Apple's next month's WWDC conference will release its own intelligent voice products. And May 9, Amazon Echo Show release, has been confirmed indeed with the screen, Apple's voice product prophecy is true?
According to foreign media reports, in May last year, Apple and Amazon Echo competition, open to the developer Siri, and the layout of smart home related products. In September last year, Bloomberg reported that Apple's engineers have been in the home of a prototype device testing, and the device equipped with Siri assistant.
9To5Mac reported on May 1 that KGI's Kwok Ming-chi (a well-known person who has long exposed Apple's information) has released an industrial report saying that Apple may release its first AI product at the WWDC conference in June Siri Speaker, the device will compete with Amazon Echo and be sold in the second half of this year.
In April of this year, Sonny Dickson also predicted Siri smart speakers will appear on the WWDC, he is Australia's leading technology bloggers, mainly to provide first-hand technical advice, comments and technology product information, has repeatedly exposed Apple Released product information. Dickson said on Twitter that the product will be listed as a "Siri / Airplay device" and seems to confirm the news.
May 14, according to the latest report of Phone Arena, Apple is the final processing of the product, it will use the Beats speaker and Siri virtual voice assistant.
At this point, although Apple smart speakers do not yet know its shape, its function or design, do not know the specific release time and the sale time, but all the sources are pointing in one direction, Apple will launch Siri-based smart speakers, into the family Interactive center, with the Amazon, Google and other rivals in the field to compete.
2、Apple smart speakers to explore
Although we are still unable to obtain the main features of Apple's smart speakers and design information, but from the foreign media in the various forecasts and exposure, we can get some relevant clues.
In the design, Phone Arena latest report said that Apple smart speakers will use Beats speaker and Siri virtual voice assistant. Keiji Securities analyst Guo Mingchi said the product will have seven tweeter and a subwoofer designed to provide better speaker and microphone technology to achieve a better sound experience.
Technology blogger Dickson also predicted that the Apple smart speakers and Mac Pro looks similar, and with similar to UE Boom portable Bluetooth speakers grid. In addition, KGI said Apple will enter the field through an integrated SoC similar to the iPhone 6 processor to show its superior acoustics and computing power, and may use Apple's own W1 chip.
In appearance, according to Apple's vice president Phil Schiller's recent interview, he stressed the value of the smart speakers on the screen. For example, the voice assistant can not display the photos you shared on the social media, and if you ask for a route, you can hear the sound, but you can not see the specific map. So that Apple smart speakers will have a screen.
Analyst Guo Mingchi claimed that Apple Smart Speaker is expected to include a touch screen and a camera. In addition, according to Apple insiders describe the device as a "fat man" like Google Home, and contains an external mesh material.
In function, rumors that Apple smart speakers will be used to play music, voice commands, information query and intelligent home product control.
(1)play function. According to MacRumors broke the news, sound quality is one of the main focus of the device, its basic functions include music player, podcast and other content playback. In music playback, it runs an iOS version, uses Beats' speakers, and supports AirPlay wireless communication technology.
(2)the integration of intelligent home interaction center. It is said that the device will include Siri integration, it can respond as the same as the iPhone query, you can read e-mail, send information, read the tweet, and deep integration with iOS to provide reminders, notifications and other functions; and as a smart home center, Control lights, plugs, door locks, curtains box other intelligent equipment.
(3)facial recognition function. Allegedly, Apple smart speakers will include facial recognition sensors and cameras, speakers can identify these family members, and voice interaction. If Apple merges its acquisition of Faceshift and Emotient and other start-up companies, its facial recognition technology will be further improved to enable the device to determine a person's emotional state. Through facial recognition, smart speakers can also be based on each person's preferences to extract information, and according to each person's preferences to adjust the light and music.
(4)open the application. Allegedly, Apple is planning to release the SDK, allowing developers to modify the application to match the use of speakers and Siri's integration capabilities.
In other information, Guo Mingchi said Apple's smart speaker positioning higher than the Amazon Echo Show, so the price is higher. While the current Amazon Echo Show book price of $ 229.99. In addition, the release time of the smart device is uncertain and there are more than 50% of the possibilities released at the WWDC conference in June.
3、why Apple introduced smart speakers?
Apple will not launch a product for no reason, the introduction of Apple smart speakers on the one hand indicates that the smart home interactive center of the hot, Apple want to occupy the family interaction center; the other hand also shows that Apple's hardware, content, Has been built, the need for a control center to achieve its value in the smart home. We can from the following aspects of interpretation:
(2) it is conducive to promoting the development of streaming music services. Apple's acquisition of Beats is a major reason for its streaming media music services, and integrated into Apple Music, in order to promote streaming music services. Allegedly, the cost of Apple Music in the United States is $ 9.99 per month. The introduction of smart speakers will undoubtedly provide Apple Music with a new playback portal, so that the music service to get more market.
(4)promote the development of Apple HomeKit. Apple in 2014 launched the smart home platform HomeKit, and in April this year, Apple and Beijing International Trade through cooperation with the developers of Apple HomeKit model room display. HomeKit as an integrated smart home application platform, previously through the iPad, Apple TV and other equipment as a hub to achieve remote control, in the past these devices are mainly used in near-field voice is not conducive to the family as a control center. And silver wing Apple smart speakers may be able to achieve its far and near voice scene control, and no need to move and switch, the more interactive.
(5)make up for Siri voice assistant near field voice application. Although Siri Voice Assistant is one of the current mainstream voice aides, but its main application is mainly near-field voice interaction, in the case of far away, Siri's recognition will be reduced, so there is a lack of far-field voice applications , Which with its mobile phones, watches, iPad and other equipment related to the inherent design. And Amazon Echo through its smart speakers to achieve a far-field voice interaction, in order to make Siri more competitive advantage, Apple must also force more space within the scope of the voice interaction.
From the above analysis can be seen, Apple introduced smart speakers, occupation of the family entrance, is not groundless, its hardware in the industry chain, content services, ecological has been built, and smart speakers is only the next step in its ecology - interactive center.
4、Apple into the game giant melee
VoiceLabs in its release of the "2017 Voice Report" forecast, 2015 and 2016 smart voice equipment sales of 6.5 million units, 2017 this data may reach 24.5 million units. Global Market Insights data show that the next seven years the global voice market growth of 34.9%, is expected to 2024 market size will reach 11 billion US dollars. If coupled with the value of goods services, data value waiting, the market size is difficult to imagine.
Amazon has a first-mover advantage, now has 7,000 features, and by virtue of its power advantage and expense at the promotion of resources, as of the end of 2016, Amazon Echo smart speaker sales have more than 600 million units. While Google also followed, through its search advantage, to provide a more diverse and complete service.
Although Apple's smart speakers have not yet been released, but with Apple's reputation, the existing user groups of equipment, and Apple's smart home eco-layout, coupled with siri support 18 languages and years of accumulation, Apple smart speakers into the May seize a large number of markets, greatly increasing competition in the industry.
But on the other hand, the key to smart speakers is the hardware device technology itself, on the other hand is more connection and integration, more services and hardware into their own ecology, will get the advantage, which is looking forward to See Apple's approach.
Conclusion: Family entry for contention
Smart speakers are generally considered the entire family of voice interactive entrance, who seize the entrance, you can control all the information input, as well as data flow and consumption flow, its market size and potential is difficult to imagine.
May 9, Amazon released its new Echo Show smart speakers, the product is equipped with 7-inch touch screen, and add 5MP camera, the user can talk, watch the video, view pictures and so on.
May 11, Microsoft in its Build conference, launched with AI voice assistant Cortana smart speaker Invoke, the speaker hardware by the audio industry's long-renowned Harman Cayton manufacturing.
And has always been known for the confidentiality of the Apple, recently also been exposed to its smart speaker device is about to release. According to rumors, Apple will launch its own hardware products to replace the Amazon Echo and Google Home in the smart home in the core position.
Apple's entry, will set off what kind of "reign of terror"?
1、Apple smart speakers, true and false?
According to foreign media Phone Arena reported on May 7, in the previous paragraph, there are two interesting rumors about smart speakers. One is the next generation of Amazon Echo products will be with the screen, the other is Apple's next month's WWDC conference will release its own intelligent voice products. And May 9, Amazon Echo Show release, has been confirmed indeed with the screen, Apple's voice product prophecy is true?
According to foreign media reports, in May last year, Apple and Amazon Echo competition, open to the developer Siri, and the layout of smart home related products. In September last year, Bloomberg reported that Apple's engineers have been in the home of a prototype device testing, and the device equipped with Siri assistant.
9To5Mac reported on May 1 that KGI's Kwok Ming-chi (a well-known person who has long exposed Apple's information) has released an industrial report saying that Apple may release its first AI product at the WWDC conference in June Siri Speaker, the device will compete with Amazon Echo and be sold in the second half of this year.
In April of this year, Sonny Dickson also predicted Siri smart speakers will appear on the WWDC, he is Australia's leading technology bloggers, mainly to provide first-hand technical advice, comments and technology product information, has repeatedly exposed Apple Released product information. Dickson said on Twitter that the product will be listed as a "Siri / Airplay device" and seems to confirm the news.
May 14, according to the latest report of Phone Arena, Apple is the final processing of the product, it will use the Beats speaker and Siri virtual voice assistant.
At this point, although Apple smart speakers do not yet know its shape, its function or design, do not know the specific release time and the sale time, but all the sources are pointing in one direction, Apple will launch Siri-based smart speakers, into the family Interactive center, with the Amazon, Google and other rivals in the field to compete.
2、Apple smart speakers to explore
Although we are still unable to obtain the main features of Apple's smart speakers and design information, but from the foreign media in the various forecasts and exposure, we can get some relevant clues.
In the design, Phone Arena latest report said that Apple smart speakers will use Beats speaker and Siri virtual voice assistant. Keiji Securities analyst Guo Mingchi said the product will have seven tweeter and a subwoofer designed to provide better speaker and microphone technology to achieve a better sound experience.
Technology blogger Dickson also predicted that the Apple smart speakers and Mac Pro looks similar, and with similar to UE Boom portable Bluetooth speakers grid. In addition, KGI said Apple will enter the field through an integrated SoC similar to the iPhone 6 processor to show its superior acoustics and computing power, and may use Apple's own W1 chip.
In appearance, according to Apple's vice president Phil Schiller's recent interview, he stressed the value of the smart speakers on the screen. For example, the voice assistant can not display the photos you shared on the social media, and if you ask for a route, you can hear the sound, but you can not see the specific map. So that Apple smart speakers will have a screen.
Analyst Guo Mingchi claimed that Apple Smart Speaker is expected to include a touch screen and a camera. In addition, according to Apple insiders describe the device as a "fat man" like Google Home, and contains an external mesh material.
In function, rumors that Apple smart speakers will be used to play music, voice commands, information query and intelligent home product control.
(1)play function. According to MacRumors broke the news, sound quality is one of the main focus of the device, its basic functions include music player, podcast and other content playback. In music playback, it runs an iOS version, uses Beats' speakers, and supports AirPlay wireless communication technology.
(2)the integration of intelligent home interaction center. It is said that the device will include Siri integration, it can respond as the same as the iPhone query, you can read e-mail, send information, read the tweet, and deep integration with iOS to provide reminders, notifications and other functions; and as a smart home center, Control lights, plugs, door locks, curtains box other intelligent equipment.
(3)facial recognition function. Allegedly, Apple smart speakers will include facial recognition sensors and cameras, speakers can identify these family members, and voice interaction. If Apple merges its acquisition of Faceshift and Emotient and other start-up companies, its facial recognition technology will be further improved to enable the device to determine a person's emotional state. Through facial recognition, smart speakers can also be based on each person's preferences to extract information, and according to each person's preferences to adjust the light and music.
(4)open the application. Allegedly, Apple is planning to release the SDK, allowing developers to modify the application to match the use of speakers and Siri's integration capabilities.
In other information, Guo Mingchi said Apple's smart speaker positioning higher than the Amazon Echo Show, so the price is higher. While the current Amazon Echo Show book price of $ 229.99. In addition, the release time of the smart device is uncertain and there are more than 50% of the possibilities released at the WWDC conference in June.
3、why Apple introduced smart speakers?
Apple will not launch a product for no reason, the introduction of Apple smart speakers on the one hand indicates that the smart home interactive center of the hot, Apple want to occupy the family interaction center; the other hand also shows that Apple's hardware, content, Has been built, the need for a control center to achieve its value in the smart home. We can from the following aspects of interpretation:
(2) it is conducive to promoting the development of streaming music services. Apple's acquisition of Beats is a major reason for its streaming media music services, and integrated into Apple Music, in order to promote streaming music services. Allegedly, the cost of Apple Music in the United States is $ 9.99 per month. The introduction of smart speakers will undoubtedly provide Apple Music with a new playback portal, so that the music service to get more market.
(3)research and development of new wireless products. According to reports, Apple has been canceled last year, AirPort wireless home product line research and development. AirPort Express is a wireless router with synchronous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi technology and AirPlay feature that allows you to wirelessly transfer music from your iTunes library to your home. The Apple smart speaker research and development, will be possible to replace the previous router services, providing more diverse services.
(4)promote the development of Apple HomeKit. Apple in 2014 launched the smart home platform HomeKit, and in April this year, Apple and Beijing International Trade through cooperation with the developers of Apple HomeKit model room display. HomeKit as an integrated smart home application platform, previously through the iPad, Apple TV and other equipment as a hub to achieve remote control, in the past these devices are mainly used in near-field voice is not conducive to the family as a control center. And silver wing Apple smart speakers may be able to achieve its far and near voice scene control, and no need to move and switch, the more interactive.
(5)make up for Siri voice assistant near field voice application. Although Siri Voice Assistant is one of the current mainstream voice aides, but its main application is mainly near-field voice interaction, in the case of far away, Siri's recognition will be reduced, so there is a lack of far-field voice applications , Which with its mobile phones, watches, iPad and other equipment related to the inherent design. And Amazon Echo through its smart speakers to achieve a far-field voice interaction, in order to make Siri more competitive advantage, Apple must also force more space within the scope of the voice interaction.
From the above analysis can be seen, Apple introduced smart speakers, occupation of the family entrance, is not groundless, its hardware in the industry chain, content services, ecological has been built, and smart speakers is only the next step in its ecology - interactive center.
4、Apple into the game giant melee
VoiceLabs in its release of the "2017 Voice Report" forecast, 2015 and 2016 smart voice equipment sales of 6.5 million units, 2017 this data may reach 24.5 million units. Global Market Insights data show that the next seven years the global voice market growth of 34.9%, is expected to 2024 market size will reach 11 billion US dollars. If coupled with the value of goods services, data value waiting, the market size is difficult to imagine.
Amazon has a first-mover advantage, now has 7,000 features, and by virtue of its power advantage and expense at the promotion of resources, as of the end of 2016, Amazon Echo smart speaker sales have more than 600 million units. While Google also followed, through its search advantage, to provide a more diverse and complete service.
Although Apple's smart speakers have not yet been released, but with Apple's reputation, the existing user groups of equipment, and Apple's smart home eco-layout, coupled with siri support 18 languages and years of accumulation, Apple smart speakers into the May seize a large number of markets, greatly increasing competition in the industry.
But on the other hand, the key to smart speakers is the hardware device technology itself, on the other hand is more connection and integration, more services and hardware into their own ecology, will get the advantage, which is looking forward to See Apple's approach.
Conclusion: Family entry for contention
Smart speakers are generally considered the entire family of voice interactive entrance, who seize the entrance, you can control all the information input, as well as data flow and consumption flow, its market size and potential is difficult to imagine.
As the consumer electronics industry appeal of Apple, its entry will bring new changes to the entire industry? Will Apple's smart home break out this year? How will Siri voice assistant evolve? Everything is waiting to be announced. However, it is foreseeable that the major giants into the family entrance, will further promote the development and popularization of smart home industry.
