Apple is planning its own Amazon Echo killer

Apple is working on its own smart speaker, similar to Amazon's Echo device, The Information's Amir Efrati reports.

Sources tell Efrati that the company is building a voice-activated device powered through its virtual assistant, Siri, that could let people ask questions or complete activities like setting a timer.

The market for such home appliances, powered by artificially intelligence-enabled virtual assistants is heating up.

Amazon's Echo has been a surprise hit for the company and Google just announced its own plans last week to make a similar gadget called Home.

At the same time, Apple is reportedly also preparing to start let outside developers make their services available through Siri.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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