Apple great Mark Gurman has mentioned that Apple is making progress with developing a smart home device based on Siri. Prototypes of the device would already be tested, sources at Apple have reported to Gurman.
The still unnamed device must be able to control household appliances, locks, lighting and curtains via voice control. The plans around the project, which already ended up in the rumor circuit in May, have not yet been finalized. So it is still possible that Apple will cancel the project even though there are already prototypes, Bloomberg writes.
The new ‘smart’ device has to compete with Amazon’s Echo and Google Home. Apple would like to differentiate itself by using more advanced microphone and speaker technology. Some of the prototypes would also have facial recognition sensors. As a result, a device may react differently to different people in the same room.
The device can probably also be used as a reading service for emails, for sending text messages and streaming via Apple Music. Another person mentioned that there will be a feature that will allow the device to warn someone to leave home in time to meet an appointment.
In addition to building a Siri assistant, Apple is said to be researching ways to improve the assistant on iOS devices. The code name for that project would be ‘Invisible Hand’. Siri should also be able to control a home via voice commands within three years, according to a source.