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Apple takes on Amazon Alexa - Which virtual assistant should you buy?


Apple has a secret that it won't reveal for another month. But, psst! We've got the inside scoop that we're going to share with you right now.

Apple is going to unveil its next game-changing technology at its Worldwide Developer's Conference in June. This tech will impact almost every aspect of your life, from helping you get to work on time, keeping your home safe, playing music, to "seeing" your mood, and a lot more.

The tech giant's iPhone has dominated the smartphone market for a decade and its Apple Watch has dominated that tech segment since it came out in 2014. Now, Apple is going after Amazon's hugely successful voice-activated, in-home assistant Alexa, which operates on Echo, Dot and other devices. It will also compete with Google Home.

Bonus: Amazon Echo vs. Google Home: Which is better?

Apple's so-far unnamed assistant will use its virtual assistant, Siri, to let you talk to it from an Echo-type speaker. You will ask it to search for facts, get driving directions and get reminders to leave so you get to work on time (based on current traffic conditions). You can turn on your home alarm and a lot more.

Is Apple's Siri Speaker going to succeed?

Apple is likely to sell about 10 million of these devices in its first year, according to analysts. There will be lots of demand, and with good reason.

Apple is going to take in-home, voice-activated virtual assistants to the next level. That's typical of Apple, which 10 years ago transformed the average cellphone into the smartphones we can't live without. We use them to search the web, get directions, pay bills, chat with friends and countless other things.

The Siri speaker will be more expensive than Amazon's Dot and Echo, and Google Home, said analysts. That's because it will have state-of-the-art speakers and sub-woofers. A few years ago, Apple bought Dr. Dre's Beats speakers. Apple will incorporate AirPlay wireless streaming into the Siri speaker.

It could also "see" how you're feeling and perhaps suggest music to lift your mood if you're feeling down. It will use facial-recognition technology to see that it's communicating with you. It'll adjust music, settings and so on to your preferences. Apple owns facial-recognition companies Faceshift and Emotient.

Although there is a lot of speculation already about Apple's in-home assistant, get ready for an avalanche of rumors. Apple has a tendency to start dropping hints and sharing information with tech analysts in the weeks leading up to major announcements.

That happened with the iPhone 7, you might remember. For instance, will there be wireless earbuds?

We'll keep you posted. Keep reading Happening Now for updates about Apple's next big technology.

More stories you can't miss:

Privacy concerns? What you need to know about the new Amazon Echo


This Amazon Echo lookalike has better speakers

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Source: Daily Mail
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