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Apple Hires Ex-Microsoft Exec to Revamp Smart Home Business

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CNBC reports that Apple has hired ex-Microsoft exec and former CEO of a smart lock company to revamp Apple's home initiatives.

Hiring Jadallah is the latest signal that Apple plans to get serious about its own efforts in the home. Recently, the company acquired a start-up called Pullstring, a start-up that specializes in voice-enabled toys. That purchase could help the smartphone maker become the center of a connected living room.

Apple has been making movement into the home space for years, with the introduction of HomeKit as well as the HomePod which is powered by Siri. ‌HomePod‌, however, has lagged behind its competitors despite making steady improvements. Apple's latest hire as well as recent acquisition of a voice technology company seems to indicate that they are refocusing their efforts.

sam
Sam Jadallah's Linkedin page

Jadallah was most recently CEO of failed smart lock company Otto. Otto was described as a "luxury smart lock":

With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios packed inside the surprisingly compact design, Otto promises to let you or anyone you choose inside with just a touch whenever it senses an authorized phone within range.

That company ultimately failed, but it appears that Jadallah will be applying that knowledge forward at Apple.

Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

AppleFan91 Avatar
AppleFan91
96 months ago
They are way behind google and amazon. Siri has to become smarter and Apple has to be more serious about a smart speaker than just the HomePod. It’s fine, but it can’t be their only entry. Amazon and Google penetrate millions of homes by have stuff like the echo dot and google home mini - cheap entries into smart speakers.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kai Wang Avatar
Kai Wang
96 months ago
Joke’s on you. My generation will never be able to afford a home lol
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
Apple_Robert
96 months ago
Apple is definitely in need of some help in this area.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
Robert.Walter
96 months ago
Apple us a major laggard in home space.

Abandoned airport.

Could have had “ Secure” brand with thermostats, security, smoke/CO, instead of leaving space open for Amazon.

Amazon is ring fencing Apple in at Apple’s peril.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleFan91 Avatar
AppleFan91
96 months ago
You should update your knowledge. HomePod entered the field behind the others who were already established but they haven’t stood still this past year. In recent tests, HomePod is now ahead ('https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/21/apple-siri-vs-alexa-google-assistant-loup-ventures.html') of ('https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/21/apple-siri-vs-alexa-google-assistant-loup-ventures.html') Alexa ('https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/21/apple-siri-vs-alexa-google-assistant-loup-ventures.html') in its ability to answer questions, though still behind Google Assistant.

In terms of capabilities, what Amazon calls “Skills”, HomePod is quickly catching up with Siri Shortcuts, enabling iOS apps to perform functions from a HomePod. What’s more, Shortcuts are easy for developers to turn on in Xcode, rather than having to purposefully write a Skill like Alexa requires. If they have an app, then turning on Shortcuts makes it compatible with HomePod. So, we’ll see Siri catch up quickly. Hundreds of apps have already added Shortcuts in the 5 months that it’s been out.
You should update your reading comprehension. Apple is behind Google and Amazon in smart home adoption and market penetration, which is clearly what I was talking about.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D
dguisinger
96 months ago
The brain drain at Apple is so bad that they didn't have anyone internally with an idea of how to run their smart home team? Seriously? Leadership starts at the top. They can't get Siri right, they can't get the Macs right.... who really needs an Apple self driving car or another expletive streaming service? The only part of Apple right now doing a great job is their custom silicon team. I really wish they'd shake up company leadership, the fish rots from the head. All of their teams seem to be running along with no clear vision.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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