Kuo: Google and Amazon working on competing AirPod-alike wireless earbuds for 2019 launch

Apple’s AirPods wireless earbuds pick out been a bang striking for the Cupertino companionship every bit they pick out seemingly validated the marketplace position for advanced Bluetooth earphones. And now, rivals Google in addition to Amazon are idea to locomote working on straight AirPod-alike competitor products.

That’s according to a query Federal Reserve notation past times reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a re-create of which was seen past times AppleInsider in addition to MacRumors before this week. The gist of the Federal Reserve notation is that Apple’s success amongst AirPods hasn’t gone unnoticed amongst Amazon in addition to Google.

We believe that AirPods’ success has drawn Google in addition to Amazon’s attending in addition to these 2 companies volition launch AirPod-alike products inwards the instant one-half of 2019.

The combined shipments of 2 brands volition probable hit 10–20 i chiliad m units inwards the instant one-half of 2019. Goertek (assembly) in addition to Unitech (rigid flexible printed circuit board) are sole suppliers for Google in addition to Amazon.

We intend that Google in addition to Amazon are Apple’s primary competitors because Google is the most influential gear upwards inwards the Android ecosystem in addition to Amazon has the best vocalization assistant service.

It’s truthful that Apple, Google in addition to Amazon all create goodness from their to a greater extent than or less vertical integration.

And simply similar Apple mightiness construct time to come AirPods amongst advanced features such every bit deep Hey Siri support, Google could leverage its command over inwardness Android features to implement rich back upwards for its AirPods challenger into the bowels of the Android operating system.

And spell Amazon does non pick out an operating organization of its ain (forked Android builds don’t count every bit novel operating systems), their Alexa vocalization assistant is viewed every bit the best, or at the really to the lowest degree the most pop AI helper out there. Suffice it to enjoin that whatever wireless earbuds they mightiness publish are for certain going to create goodness tremendously from built-in Alexa support.

TUTORIAL: Handy tips for using your AirPods similar a pro

The analyst called AirPods “more than simply earbuds” because they double every bit a strategic deterrent for anyone thinking near living the iOS ecosystem spell paving the agency for deep vocalization assistant integration in addition to time to come wellness tracking features.

We believe that AirPods are to a greater extent than than simply earbuds for Apple in addition to volition dice increasingly of import inwards Apple’s ecosystem for the next reasons.

(1) They increase the switching costs for users to Android from the iOS ecosystem;

(2) This is an of import device for vocalization assistant in addition to artificial tidings services because it tin easily enable the vocalization assistant;

(3) The ear is a perfect sensing surface area for detecting diverse wellness data. It may integrate amongst the Apple Watch to offering amend wellness administration inwards the future.

Indeed, Apple on Tuesday was granted a patent past times the USPTO for “Earbuds amongst compliant member” that describes earbuds which purpose to a greater extent than secure ear-fitting methods in addition to multiple biometric sensors, such every bit a pump charge per unit of measurement sensors, to enable fitness tracking features.

Kuo’s carve upwards Federal Reserve notation from Monday adjusted his prior expectations for next-generation AirPods. He directly expects a small-scale upgrade bringing Qi wireless charging back upwards inwards 2019. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 completely overhauled model amongst vibrations cancellation, travail resistance, Hey Siri support, a redesigned hinge to back upwards appearance changes, addition other perks is due about fourth dimension inwards 2020, he predicted.

Kuo claims the earbuds are Apple’s most pop accessory ever.

Photo: Twelve South’s AirSnap, a protective leather representative for your AirPods

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