Introduced at Apple's WWDC 2017 conference, the 178mm tall speaker is created to work with an Apple Music subscription, and will go head to head with Amazon's Alexa ecosystem and Google Home this December.
Much of the focus at Apple's 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference running from June 5-9 in San Jose seems to be on the software and mobile device sides. That company offers a similar wireless multi-speaker system for listening to music throughout the home, similar to HomePod's ability to chain together multiple speakers.
"Apple is smart to frame the HomePod as a music-centric and audio-centric device rather than just another smart speaker or another home for Siri", said Jackdaw Research analyst Jan Dawson. However, Siri has been slow to improve its voice-recognition technology and set of responses, especially compared with the more capable Alexa and Google Assistant.
HomePod uses an Apple-designed upwards firing 102mm woofer and a custom array of seven beam-forming tweeters.
The conference is typically devoted to software updates and this year, Apple released a series of new features and updates for the iPhone, the iPad, Mac and the Apple Watch - including an augmented-reality kit for developers aimed at making the iPhone "the largest AR platform in the world".
This post was syndicated from Vanguard News. "Today iMac gets a huge graphics performance increase, faster CPU performance, Thunderbolt 3 and a brighter Retina display with support for 1 billion colours". Only the most recent messages will be kept on the device to save storage.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, at the company's Build 2017 conference in Seattle last month, unveiled new tools meant to democratize AI that could tap into services in the internet "cloud" and even take advantage of computing power in nearby machines. It's powered by Apple Music, Apple's subscription music service, and connects directly.
"There is so much momentum building around these speakers that it would be hard for Apple not to come out with one", said industry analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy.
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Despite some of these efforts, researchers often noted that Apple was still not the top choice for AI projects as Google, Facebook, and Amazon were by far ahead in time. But the biggest draw may be its compatibility with other Apple devices and services.
"Artificial intelligence is not in Apple's DNA", said venture capitalist and Apple analyst Steve Munster.
Apple also unveiled new Macs, addressing complaints that Apple has let its Mac lineup languish in favor of its better-selling products, namely the iPhone. It will set you back $349 or £270 and is coming the United Kingdom in December.
Another Safari feature will stop video from automatically playing on websites.
The built-in "musicologist" works with Apple Music by drawing in music from the service and it remembers your playlists and your favourite artists.
Apple is known for its ecosystem - its catalogue of products, which includes the iPhone, MacBook, iPad and Apple TV, working harmoniously.
Apple is also updating the operating software for its Apple Watch, including new watch faces, more personalized alerts that use machine learning to tailor information to you based on your routines and tastes.
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