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Apple's WWDC 2017 Kicks Off, Siri Speakers Hotly Anticipated
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Cupertino-based Apple Inc (AAPL - Free Report) will begin its annual Worldwide Developers Conference today at McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. The five-day (Jun 5 to Jun 9) long event will see developers/engineers coming from all over the world to meet and hold sessions with Apple engineers.
As always, the event will begin with a keynote session that generally includes new software announcements.
Some of the Anticipated Software Announcements
Apple is expected to announce iOS 11. Per media reports, the new operating system is likely to feature a “full-on dark mode” for display along more support for Apple Stylus. iMessages and Facetime could also get updates, as will Apple Music and Apple Pay. Siri is likely to get major upgrades.
The reports add that Apple might unveil MacOS 10.13. However, there are not much details available on the matter. Other highlights of the event are expected to include refreshes to watchOS as well tvOS. watchOS could boast new features like sleep tracking and advanced health monitoring, adds reports.
Apple generally refrains from making big announcements related to hardware at WWDC. However, this year, it is widely expected that Apple will announce new hardware as well. Per various media sources, Apple might introduce Siri Smart speakers as well as the 10.5 inch iPad Pro.
According to MacRumors, Apple is working on developing an “Echo-like” smart speaker for its digital voice assistant, Siri. With the integration of this speaker, Siri will be able to “serve as a home hub for controlling smart products, playing music, and more.” Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) Echo and Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Google Home are little speaker-like home automation devices that can do everything from streaming music to dimming lights or adjusting the heat on the compatible thermostat.
Siri was the first digital voice assistant to be ever installed on a smartphone. Ever since, there have been a slew of voice assistants, including Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana and more recently, Samsung’s Bixby.
However, Siri has fallen behind in the race owing to Apple’s aversion to opening itself to third-party developers, according to analysts. This has resulted in Echo and Google Home dominating the space. Per a recent report from eMarketer, Echo is the most popular voice-controlled speakerso far and is expected to maintain its supremacy in 2017.
The report stated that the number of Americans using home assistants is projected to grow more than double this year. It also stated that Amazon will have more than 70% of all voice-enabled speaker users in the U.S. this year. Compared to Echo, Google Home is expected to account for 23.8%, while other smaller players like Lenovo, LG, Harmon Kardon and Mattel would account for only 5.6% of the total users.
MacRumors adds that the “differentiating factor” between the Siri speakers and Echo will be the sound quality “with Apple aiming for better speaker and microphone technology.” It might also have facial recognition feature, the report further adds.
New iPad Pro & Mac Books
Apart from a smart speaker, Apple lovers might also be treated to a new 10.5 inch iPad Pro, per sources. Per grapevine, the new iPad could boast edge to edge bezels along with next generation processors and cameras.
In addition, Apple might be upgrading the MacBook line. Per sources, a new MacBook and a MacBook Pro might debut at WWDC. MacBook Pro is likely to have Intel’s (INTC - Free Report) Kaby Lake processor. The 12-inch MacBook will most likely be refreshed with an Intel processor as well. The 13-inch MacBook Air might also get a new processor.
We will keep you posted on the developments. So stay tuned!
In the past one year, shares of Apple have registered growth of 57.61% compared with the Zacks categorized Computer Mini industry’s gain of 56.10%.
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Apple's WWDC 2017 Kicks Off, Siri Speakers Hotly Anticipated
Cupertino-based Apple Inc (AAPL - Free Report) will begin its annual Worldwide Developers Conference today at McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. The five-day (Jun 5 to Jun 9) long event will see developers/engineers coming from all over the world to meet and hold sessions with Apple engineers.
As always, the event will begin with a keynote session that generally includes new software announcements.
Some of the Anticipated Software Announcements
Apple is expected to announce iOS 11. Per media reports, the new operating system is likely to feature a “full-on dark mode” for display along more support for Apple Stylus. iMessages and Facetime could also get updates, as will Apple Music and Apple Pay. Siri is likely to get major upgrades.
The reports add that Apple might unveil MacOS 10.13. However, there are not much details available on the matter. Other highlights of the event are expected to include refreshes to watchOS as well tvOS. watchOS could boast new features like sleep tracking and advanced health monitoring, adds reports.
Apple Inc. Price
Apple Inc. Price | Apple Inc. Quote
Apple’s Hardware Announcements to Steal the Show?
Apple generally refrains from making big announcements related to hardware at WWDC. However, this year, it is widely expected that Apple will announce new hardware as well. Per various media sources, Apple might introduce Siri Smart speakers as well as the 10.5 inch iPad Pro.
According to MacRumors, Apple is working on developing an “Echo-like” smart speaker for its digital voice assistant, Siri. With the integration of this speaker, Siri will be able to “serve as a home hub for controlling smart products, playing music, and more.” Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) Echo and Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Google Home are little speaker-like home automation devices that can do everything from streaming music to dimming lights or adjusting the heat on the compatible thermostat.
Siri was the first digital voice assistant to be ever installed on a smartphone. Ever since, there have been a slew of voice assistants, including Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana and more recently, Samsung’s Bixby.
However, Siri has fallen behind in the race owing to Apple’s aversion to opening itself to third-party developers, according to analysts. This has resulted in Echo and Google Home dominating the space. Per a recent report from eMarketer, Echo is the most popular voice-controlled speakerso far and is expected to maintain its supremacy in 2017.
The report stated that the number of Americans using home assistants is projected to grow more than double this year. It also stated that Amazon will have more than 70% of all voice-enabled speaker users in the U.S. this year. Compared to Echo, Google Home is expected to account for 23.8%, while other smaller players like Lenovo, LG, Harmon Kardon and Mattel would account for only 5.6% of the total users.
MacRumors adds that the “differentiating factor” between the Siri speakers and Echo will be the sound quality “with Apple aiming for better speaker and microphone technology.” It might also have facial recognition feature, the report further adds.
New iPad Pro & Mac Books
Apart from a smart speaker, Apple lovers might also be treated to a new 10.5 inch iPad Pro, per sources. Per grapevine, the new iPad could boast edge to edge bezels along with next generation processors and cameras.
In addition, Apple might be upgrading the MacBook line. Per sources, a new MacBook and a MacBook Pro might debut at WWDC. MacBook Pro is likely to have Intel’s (INTC - Free Report) Kaby Lake processor. The 12-inch MacBook will most likely be refreshed with an Intel processor as well. The 13-inch MacBook Air might also get a new processor.
We will keep you posted on the developments. So stay tuned!
Zacks Rank & Stock Price Movement
At present, Apple carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
In the past one year, shares of Apple have registered growth of 57.61% compared with the Zacks categorized Computer Mini industry’s gain of 56.10%.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.See the pot trades we're targeting>>