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Apple Shakeup, Smart Speakers, and Wireless Charging

By Bob DeLaurentis

Q. Why should Windows users care about Ap- laptop and desktop computers.

ple's new M computers? Q. How should I decide between an Amazon
A. When Apple revealed the first iPhone in Echo and an Apple HomePod?
2007, there were people who thought the demo A. The Echo and HomePod, along with
must have been fake. Engineers with know ledge Goog1e's Nest lineup, make up a new category of
of how cell phones work simply could not accept devices known as smart speakers. This product
the idea that any company, let alone a company category is only a few years old, but lower costs
that had never built a cell-phone before, could and better sound quality means these devices are
pack so much power into such a tiny device. quickly moving into the mainstream.
We all know what happened next. Think of smart speakers as an acces-sory for your
Within a decade Nokia and Blackberry all but dis- smartphone. They are more like little computers
appeared, replaced by iPhone and Android. Histo- rather than speakers. Many models require a
ry is likely to repeat itse1f in the "traditiona1" per- smartphone to configure. You also need a
sonal computer market. Performance gains that network in your home. Because smart speakers
seemed unbelievable at first now seem inevitable, are dependent on the hardware and subscription
and no comer of the personal computer market will serv-ices you already use, choose the speak-er to
escape disruption. extend your current setup.
After more than 30 years of writing about com- you are an Amazon Prime cus-tomer, start with

puters, I have never seen a one-time performance an Echo. If you use Android, Google Nest or Ama-
leap as big as this one. Apple has replaced its zon Echo is a good option.
least expensive Macs with new models built If you use an iPhone, start with a HomePod
around custom Apple-designed chips that deliver Also consider how you intend to use a smart
more than twice the per-formance and battery life. speaker. As a way to stream music? more like little
As a result, the slowest, least expensive Macs computers rather than speakers. Many models re-
are nearly as fast as top-of-the-line hardware that quire a smartphone to configure. You also need a
costs many thousands of dollars, with battery life network in your home. Because smart speak-
that cannot be found elsewhere at any price. The ers are dependent on the hardware and subscrip-
new MacBook Air has 18 hour battery life and is tion serv-ices you already use, choose the speak-
one of the fastest Macs ever made. And like the er to extend your current setup.
original iPhone, this is the starting line. you are an Amazon Prime cus-tomer, start with
There are more new models ahead. an Echo. If you use Android, Google Nest or Ama-
Performance gains this big will affect every comer zon Echo is a good option.
of the computer wor1d. Competitors will have to If you use an iPhone, start with a HomePod
respond, either with better products or lower pric- Also consider how you intend to use a smart
es. Even if you are not a Mac user, the aftershocks speaker. As a way to stream music? Not a11 the
are going to deliver benefits to everyone who uses
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