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Apple's Amazon Echo Competitor Could Feature Camera, Facial Recognition

Friday May 27, 2016 10:58 am PDT by Juli Clover
amazonecho2Apple's rumored product designed to compete with the Amazon Echo could come equipped with a camera and facial recognition capabilities, reports CNET. Citing sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, CNET says the device would be "self aware," able to detect the people in the room through facial recognition technology.

Once the device determines who is in the room, that information could be used to pull up each person's preferences, "such as the music and lighting they like," allowing for a customized interactive experience for each member of the home. Facial recognition is something Apple has previously expressed interest in, both through patent filings and acquisitions.

News of Apple's work on an Amazon Echo competitor first surfaced earlier this week, when The Information reported such a device was under development. The Amazon Echo is an in-home personal assistant device that features a built-in speaker and a robust artificial intelligence system, and a product from Apple would likely be similar, with AI capabilities based on Siri along with its own speaker and microphone.

It is not clear what form Apple's in-home hub will take. While The Information's report suggested it was a standalone hardware product, a second report from VentureBeat has said Apple will built the Echo-like features into a next-generation Apple TV.

Apple is laying the groundwork for a robust in-home AI-powered product through its work on Siri, and major Siri improvements could come in iOS 10. Apple is said to be preparing to release a Siri SDK, which would make the personal assistant available to developers for the first time and greatly increase its functionality.

Today's report is the first to include details on a potential release timeline, suggesting the device could launch at the end of 2016, but 2017 is a more likely target. CNET cautions that Apple's plans for a camera could change as it is a potential privacy risk that may not be favorable with consumers. As with all Apple products still under development, there's also a chance Apple could scrap its Echo competitor entirely.

Tags: Siri, cnet.com, Amazon Echo
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DTphonehome
36 months ago
Oh, so not only will it listen to everything you say, it will also be watching everything you do? Noooooooo thanks.
Rating: 28 Votes
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Arran
36 months ago

Oh, so not only will it listen to everything you say, it will also be watching everything you do? Noooooooo thanks.

And be connected to the internet.

What could possibly go wrong?
Rating: 22 Votes
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Dr.Chroma
36 months ago
Apple lately has sure turned into a "Me too" company.

I think they need to focus on what got them here in the first place, with a refresh line of the Macs and focus on innovation of the iPhone.
Rating: 18 Votes
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Weaselboy
36 months ago

The problem with that strategy, Amazon is getting a good deal of free advertising. Imagine this free advertising going on for 6 more months. :(


I just imagine some marketing types at Amazon just chuckling every time there is a another article like this. About every one of them compares these upcoming devices to the Amazon Echo, kind of implying that is the standard to beat.



Rating: 11 Votes
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Attirex
36 months ago
I'd love to see how that "lighting and music preferences via facial recognition" thing works as my two children run through the room ten times in a row.
Rating: 10 Votes
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skellener
36 months ago
Of course, Apple will over think it to death and in the end will be crippled and barely do anything well. But hey, it will be available in Rose Gold! ;) I miss when Apple used to make insanely great products and software.

Phone 6s - Thank You Speech
[MEDIA=youtube]LWiZwBkaAg8[/MEDIA]
Rating: 9 Votes
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Soccertess
36 months ago
I think Apple leaked this info after everyone was asking where is Apple and why are they late to the game.
Rating: 8 Votes
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ipedro
36 months ago
I would love it if Apple bought JIBO. There's so much potential but the company is small and has been taking a long time to perfect their vision. With Apple-like resources, this thing would be awesome!

[MEDIA=youtube]3N1Q8oFpX1Y[/MEDIA]
Rating: 7 Votes
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fxmx42
36 months ago
HAL 9000 ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAL_9000') here we go
Rating: 6 Votes
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Bubba Satori
36 months ago

i love when people say apple has never been good at software. OS X is the most stable OS on the market. It is rock solid.


Afternoon, Tim.
Rating: 6 Votes

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