Apple's Echo rival reportedly hits prototype phase

Back in May this year, a report claimed that Apple is working on its own version of Amazon Echo/Google Home voice home assistant, that will be based on Siri voice assistant. Now more details has come forward. A report published by  Bloomberg says that Apple has been been working on the device for more than two years, and is now in prototype stage.

Apple's smart home device will respond to voice and have similar functionality as Amazon Echo like controlling smart home products such as locks, lights and others, but it will be more intelligent.

Furthermore, the report says that Apple is attempting to differentiate itself from Echo and Google Home with more advanced microphone and speaker technology. Some of the prototypes being tested even include built-in cameras for facial recognition.

Apple is not the only company to build its own version of Amazon Echo. Earlier this year Google at it I/O event unveiled Google Home, to take on Amazon Echo

Currently it is not known when Apple's smart home hub will be released, but since the device is still in prototype and the result is not satisfactory, it may be scrapped.

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