Apple may have started the digital assistant craze with Siri, but it's largely been playing catch-up lately. Specifically, to Google and Mountain View's own Assistant. Now Apple's app has more expressive voices (both male and female, English and British) and in-app translation features. More than that, Siri can act as a task manager of sorts, offering access to banking in the Citi Mobile app, or, for whatever reason, a QR code in WeChat. And going deeper into Apple's low-key focus on AI, Siri's on-device artificial intelligence and contextual learning will offer up a GPS pin when you're messaging about where you're located.

If Apple unveils a rival to internet-connected speakers from Amazon and Google, it wouldn't be the first time that Apple hops on the bandwagon of a technology product popularized by a competitor. For instance, Apple's large-size iPhones are now popular, after Apple initially resisted them despite strong sales for larger-display phones made by Samsung and other rivals. Apple is expected to announce plans for a speaker on Monday. It would be Apple's first new product since its smartwatch in 2015. The lack of a breakthrough device has periodically raised concerns that Apple has become too dependent on the iPhone.

Apple is unveiling a raft of new products at its 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today. Apple boss Tim Cook is taking to the stage at the McEnery Convention Centre in San Jose and is expected to announce a new Siri smart speaker for the home alongside new iPads. Apple will also unveil iOS 11, the software that will power its eagerly awaited iPhone 8 - although the phone is unlikely to be revealed until September. Apple boss Tim Cook is taking to the stage at the at the McEnery Convention Centre in San Jose and is expected to announce a new Siri smart speaker for the home alongside new iPads. Rumours suggest that Apple will unveil four new iPad models, the iPhone 8, as well as a Siri-powered smart speaker to rival Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Apple appears poised to unveil a voice-activated, Internet-connected speaker that would create a new digital pipeline into people's homes. Tapping Apple's Siri digital assistant, such a speaker is expected to serve as a butler as well as an outlet for listening to music. If the speculation pans out, the speaker would be Apple's first new product since its smartwatch in 2015. And it would mark an effort by Apple to catch up with Amazon and Google. An early glimpse at updates to iPhone and Mac software has become a tradition at Apple's annual conference for app developers, which begins Monday in San Jose.

Software is still king at Apple's developers conference, so expect the company to devote lots of time to iOS, macOS and watchOS. The iPad, frankly, has been sucking wind. CEO Tim Cook believe the tablet will eventually replace laptops -- but tell that to buyers. So is it time for an upgrade? RBC Capital expects Apple to announce an improved iPad Pro with faster processors and other enhancements.

This file photo taken on June 13, 2016, shows the Apple logo displayed on a screen at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference presentation at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California. Apple appears poised to unveil a voice-activated, internet-connected speaker that would create a new digital pipeline into people's homes. Tapping Apple's Siri digital assistant, such a speaker is expected to serve as a butler as well as an outlet for listening to music. If the speculation pans out, the speaker would be Apple's first new product since its smartwatch in 2015.

Consumers are still mixed about Siri, but according to an exclusive new poll for USA TODAY, they like her more than other personal assistants. LOS ANGELES -- Face it, talking is more fun than typing, right? That's what we always suspected, and a new exclusive survey for USA TODAY confirms that's how people feel about using their personal digital assistants. In the poll, taken by SurveyMonkey Audience, 39.2% of consumers said they used voice commands with Apple's Siri because "it's easier/faster than typing," and even more opted for that with the Google Assistant, some 50.3%. For Amazon's Alexa, on the Echo speaker, 41.8% simply said "fun" was their top reason for using her.

Apple will start its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose with a keynote, when it could unveil a new home for Siri, an upgrade to that voice assistant, and a slew of new features for the next iPhone. A Siri-powered smart speaker would be similar to Amazon's Echo and Google Home, capitalizing on intense consumer interest for talking devices. Apple's iPhone could make AR tech more of a reality Apple's Siri speaker to challenge Google, Amazon USA TODAY will share live updates of Apple's keynote, starting at 1 p.m. ET. The speaker will reportedly include virtual surround sound, and deeper integration with Apple services including HomeKit, allowing users to control smart home technology. As with previous years, Apple will also use the keynote to reveal the first details of iOS 11, the latest version of its mobile operating system launching this fall for the next iPhone, as well as current models of the iPhone, iPad and other mobile devices.

But the rumor mill suggests we could see a Siri-powered smart speaker to rival the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Mac desktop and laptop announcements are likely, too. And even if we don't get a new iPhone, we'll likely see the latest version of iOS, the software powering the popular handset. How can you watch Apple's WWDC 2017?

While the Apple World Wide Developers Conference will take place Monday 1 p.m. EDT, the leaks about the vent keep trickling in. The newest one involves a screenshot of an iOS app called'Files'. According to a new app placeholder discovered by iOS developer Steve Stroughton Smith, devices having iOS 11 or later, might have a new Files app, which would grant them access to the device's hard disk. While Android users have'file manager' access for long, this is the first time that Apple will open up file access to its system, which has remained closed since the first iPhone. Read: iOS 11 Release Date Features: What To Expect From Apple's Upcoming OS Update For iPhones Since the device needs iOS 11 or later, chances are that the supportive functionality might only be available on the more recent Apple devices, expected to receive iOS 11 – iPhone 6S and iPhone 7. Apple most probably is not offering unfettered access to the iPhone's hard drive, but it could actually allow access to essential files such as photos and music and also provide greater access to developers to develop more integrated apps.