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Video: WWDC 2018: The big productivity features of the Apple developer event
Even with the inevitable shift of Apple to a more service-based model, the company still has a lot to explore in the devices. When it comes to its latest launches, screens give way to sounds. The company launched wireless headsets and smart speakers after these categories grew up for years. And recent reports indicate that the company is looking to play its game, preparing to release high-end products, including new headphones.
Read also: Apple publishes first iOS 12 beta public | You want to try macOS Mojave now?
Of course, one could consider AirPods as another "true wireless" earphone that are the successors of the Apple's white earphones that come with the first iPod. Similarly, the HomePod can be minimized by sliding on a competitor who is not afraid to go back. However, one has the impression that the audio is about to play a role closer to the heart of the Apple experience than ever before, based on recent moves:
Lowering the barriers to the interaction of the ecosystem
From the friendliness of the Mac to the pervasiveness of the iPhone, Apple has long worked on reducing barriers to computer interaction. The Apple Watch represents the lower limit in terms of what can be transmitted significantly using the display technologies of today.
But, of course, there are many cases where interacting with a display is neither desirable nor safe despite Apple's CarPlay using one. An audio interface is essential for a more complete and (sometimes) natural interaction mode, as long as Apple plays the game along with Siri.
Bridging the screen fatigue
This year's developer conferences were remarkable as Google and Apple responded to growing concerns about smartphone addiction. Upcoming versions of their smartphone operating systems will provide users with new tools for tasks such as tracking their own use of apps, locking their own devices for awhile, and hibernating phones. (an extension of the 2016 blue light filtering trend).
Read also: How to clean your Apple AirPods (CNET) | Apple would have high-end AirPods, a new HomePod (CNET)
However, even in these "down times," consumers want a way to engage in tasks that do not require visual focus, tasks that Apple can use to build bridges between its current leadership and that of tomorrow.
Conduct a resurgence of Siri
Speaking of Siri, Apple gave the pioneer voice agent its biggest shot in his disembodied arm during his World Wide Developer conference in June. After a long outcry over the limits of interoperability, Apple has opened the doors to developers and users to extend Siri's prowess.
The results could be transformative, associating the massive use scale of Siri with the scope of the iOS application. Along the way, the utility of Siri on iPhone and Mac would not only be improved, but it could also enrich the experience on AirPods and HomePod.
Last year, I wrote about how the voice allowed Amazon to come back in the run of the mainstream platform after failing in smartphones and being marginalized in the consumer market. tablets with fading. This point has also been recently made by ZDNet columnist Brent Leary, who sees Amazon leading a voice-first transformation.
Apple is not yet at this stage. After all, Siri was an anomaly as it represented a major user interface introduction that was not accompanied by a companion device as was the custom of Apple with the likes of the mouse, click wheel and multitouch. Marrying an extension of the way from something like the Bragi Dash Pro smart headphones to the Apple Watch, AirPods could become this platform, just like the HomePod. Until Siri is ready for these requests, Apple can continue to sow the market.
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