Siri Speaker To Be Unveiled At WWDC, Apple Already Manufacturing Device Overseas — Report

Apple has started manufacturing the Siri speaker overseas, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing sources close to the matter.

The report comes after KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in May there’s a more than 50 percent chance Apple will unveil its Siri speaker at the Worldwide Developers Conference. Tuesday’s report said the device will debut as soon as WWDC next week, but the gadget will not be ready to ship until later this year.

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It was reported earlier this month that Apple employees were testing the Siri speaker in their homes for several months. The device reportedly entered an advanced prototype stage last fall.

Apple’s Siri Speaker Rumors, Features

Bloomberg’s recent report said the device will have an engraving that will say: “Designed by Apple in California.”

Here are more features that could be included in the Siri speaker:

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Better Sound

Apple is looking to differentiate the Siri speaker from its competitors, including Amazon’s Echo devices and Google Home gadgets. The iPhone maker’s new device will offer “virtual surround sound technology and deep integration with Apple’s product lineup,” the report said.

The company hopes advanced acoustics technology will propel the gadget above its competitors. Apple is testing speakers that generate virtual surround sound, greater volume and crisper sound than rival products. The iPhone seller also reportedly has considered including sensors that measure the environment’s acoustics and automatically adjust audio levels.

Controlling Home Appliances

Apple also wants Siri speaker owners to use the device for their homes by allowing customers to control appliances and lights through the company’s HomeKit system. The use of HomeKit potentially could lock in customers to Apple’s network and keep them from using Amazon Echo or Google Home devices for those tasks.

Apple Music

The speaker could also be a way to boost Apple Music subscriptions and steer consumers away from rivals, including Spotify and Amazon Prime’s streaming service. Apple has been pushing original content on Apple Music lately. The company is expected to release as many as 10 original shows and documentaries by the end of this year, including will.i.am’s "Planet of the Apps" and documentaries about hip-hop label Cash Money Records and music impresario Clive Davis.

Apple might also let third-party services develop products for the Siri device, the report said.

Apple Siri Speaker Price, More Rumors

Kuo said earlier this month the Siri speaker will cost more than the Amazon Echo. He added the gadget will support AirPlay and will have a performance similar to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S.

As of now, it’s not clear whether Apple’s speaker will come with a built-in display, like Amazon’s Echo Show, which was unveiled this month. Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller said recently he thinks voice assistant devices are beneficial, but that doesn't mean you'd never want a screen.

If the Siri speaker is revealed at WWDC, it will follow Amazon’s Echo Show and the Echo Look, which were unveiled late last month.