Right. So, I’ve been looking at SoundHound AI (SOUN 4.74%). Everyone’s terribly excited. “Conversational AI,” they say. It’s gone up seven times over the last three years. Which, let’s be honest, is the kind of thing that makes me immediately suspicious. It feels… unsustainable. Like a soufflé. A very, very techy soufflé.
But then I started thinking about Apple (AAPL +2.97%). And suddenly, the soufflé seemed a lot less appealing. Not because Apple isn’t also a bit of a behemoth – obviously it is – but because it’s a reliable behemoth. Like a good pair of boots. Or a sensible cardigan. And frankly, after the last few years, I’m craving sensible.
Units of Cryptocurrency Lost: 12. Hours Spent Watching Charts: 9. Number of Panicked Texts to Friends: 24. It’s been a learning curve, let’s just say.
The Apples and the… Well, the Other Fruit
Comparing Apple to SoundHound feels a bit like comparing, well, apples and oranges. And everyone says that, which is irritatingly predictable. But it’s true. Apple is building an ecosystem, a whole world of interconnected devices and services. SoundHound is… selling technology to other people. Which is perfectly respectable, but not quite the same thing. It’s like being a brilliant architect versus being a really good bricklayer. Both vital, but different levels of control.
Apple’s strategy is consumer-facing, building things people actually want. SoundHound is B2B – business to business. Which means relying on other people to make it work. And relying on other people always feels… precarious. Like building a house on someone else’s land.
Apparently, Apple is about to upgrade Siri with Google’s Gemini 3.0. Which is… interesting. It’s like admitting your own creation isn’t quite up to scratch. But also, incredibly pragmatic. And pragmatism, I’m starting to believe, is severely underrated.
The automotive market is the obvious battleground. SoundHound has deals with Stellantis and Hyundai. Which is good. But Apple has CarPlay in a lot more cars. And CarPlay Ultra, which interfaces with the dashboard… that’s a game-changer. It’s like Apple saying, “We’re not just putting a phone in your car, we’re taking over the entire driving experience.” Which is slightly terrifying, but also… impressive.
And then there’s the drive-through ordering thing. SoundHound wants to be the voice of the drive-through. Which is… niche. Apple can just put ordering in its apps. It’s like saying, “We’re not just selling you a voice assistant, we’re selling you convenience.” And convenience, let’s be honest, is what everyone actually wants.
The Numbers, Sadly
Okay, the boring bit. Apple made $102.5 billion last quarter. SoundHound made $42 million. It’s not even a comparison. Apple has a profit of $14.7 billion. SoundHound has a loss of $109.3 million. I’m starting to feel slightly guilty even writing this. It’s like kicking a puppy. A very techy puppy.
Apple has $54.7 billion in cash. SoundHound has $269 million. It’s like comparing a bank vault to a piggy bank. SoundHound’s revenue growth is higher (68% vs. Apple’s 8%), and they have no debt, which is good. But honestly, it feels like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
The Tortoise and the… Slightly Panicked Hare
I don’t think SoundHound is a terrible pick. The technology is impressive, and the growth is good. But I think Apple is the better bet for the long term. It’s just… more solid. More reliable. Less likely to disappear overnight.
Apple’s CarPlay Ultra could really take off with automakers. And while SoundHound has an edge in in-car accuracy right now, Apple will improve. They always do. And they have more opportunities for growth. Agentic AI, smart glasses… Apple is everywhere.
I keep thinking about Aesop’s fable. SoundHound is the hare, sprinting ahead, full of energy. Apple is the tortoise, slow and steady. And honestly, after the last few years, I’m rooting for the tortoise. It’s not glamorous, but it gets there in the end. And sometimes, that’s all you can ask for.
Plus, Apple’s shares have actually risen over the last 12 months, while SoundHound’s have fallen. So, you know. Just saying.
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2026-01-27 10:53