Apple plans to make Amazon Echo rival by opening Siri

The next evolution of Siri could feature a new Apple product designed to directly compete with Amazon’s successful Echo device.

Apple is reportedly planning to make a rival to the Amazon Echo, but the in order to compete with the device’s incredible array of features and services, Apple plans to open up Siri to third-party apps.

The company is preparing to open up Siri to apps made by others. And it is working on an Amazon Echo-like device with a speaker and microphone that people can use to turn on music, get news headlines or set a timer.

Opening up its Siri voice assistant to outside app developers is the more immediate step [to competing with Echo],” reports the Information. Apple is supposedly preparing to release a Siri SDK that could arrive at WWDC 2016 slated for next month.

While opening up Siri to third-party developers will add more functionality to iOS, Apple also plans to build some new HomeKit hardware to compliment the more powerful digital assistant. The report claims that the Siri device will have a speaker and microphone, allowing users to request music, news headlines, order food, and much more.

It’s unclear when the Siri competitor will launch, however Amazon isn’t waiting for the company to catch up to its devices that are powered by Alexa. The company recently announced the Echo Dot and Amazon Tap while Google just revealed Home which is expected to arrive later this year.