The device appears to have a cylindrical shape

May 16, 2017 18:48 GMT  ·  By

Apple received a series of patents today, including two for bezel-less displays and Touch ID embedded into the screen of upcoming iPhones. But another interesting patent was granted for a possible Siri home speaker that appears to have a cylindrical shape.

The patent application was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office for an "Electronic device with radially deployed components" which describes a technique for incorporating multiple components that are attached to a cylindrical carrier, which is then placed in a housing that has a similar shape.

The drawings seem to suggest that this particular device is actually a Siri home speaker, rumored to arrive as soon as next month, during Apple’s WWDC annual event. If that happens, then Siri will take the step out of iPhones and head towards assisting users in their homes, much like some of the other virtual assistants on the market. Indeed, a Siri home speaker would directly compete against Amazon’s Echo or Google Home.

Touch displays, microphones and a plenitude of sensors

The patent describes a number of features that would arrive on the presumable Siri home speaker, including touch displays, microphones, accelerometers, sensors, speakers, lights and others that would be mounted inside the cylindrical-shaped device.

The listing then goes on to describe how Apple would glue all of the components together, by using screws, ramp structures, posts and special deployment tools. They would all be sealed against the housing wall, while some gaps could remain for acoustics.

In addition, the supposed device is expected to feature Apple’s AirPlay technology, together with Apple’s W1 chip and custom A-series processor. Analysts say that Apple could also integrate a dedicated touch panel together with basic physical controls on the rumored Siri speaker, although capacitive buttons are also an option.

Apple will host its annual WWDC event next month and possibly announce the new Siri speaker, while the Cupertino-based company is expected to unveil three new smartphones, including the iPhone 8, this fall.