Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple TV With Camera Again Rumored After tvOS 17 Added FaceTime

Surf Monkey said:
The Meta glasses are “creepy” but Vision isn’t? Wasn’t the primary rationalization around Vision that “it’ll be regular glasses some day” when it obviously won’t? It sure seems to me from the commentary here that glasses are vastly more acceptable and desirable than any other AR system out right now.
Click to expand...
I was mainly talking about the fact that you can take video of people walking around without them knowing. I think a single white light comes on, but there is a big push to have it a pulsing red light (as is normal for any video recording). I agree that AVP looks weird AF, especially with those fake eyes. Can't disagree.

As far as primary rationalization around Vision that “it’ll be regular glasses some day”. I honestly don't know. I never had an opinion on what they would be.

Like I said, the Ray-ban glasses, are very well integrated and look sleek. It's really the video recording that turns me off.

Edit: it appears the AVP does the exact same thing. Both officially creepy.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Victor Mortimer and Surf Monkey
Surf Monkey said:
A dedicated camera is a better idea. It just is.
Click to expand...
In every way. Having to "go get the tripod set up, and then link it to the Apple TV" just seems like it's a hack, more than ease of use.

CrysisDeu said:
But I want to keep using my iPhone
Click to expand...
I think both are good options. Just like on the the Mac, the iPhone and the iPad you can use a camera on Apple products (except the Apple TV). People have choices on those products. A dedicate camera for those who don't want to attach the phone on a Gorilla Pod or an Etsy bracket, and for those who don't want a camera, they can use their phone and put it wherever they want.

There are some people who don't understand that you can actually use an external USB camera on every other Apple Product, and some that prefer not to take that option.

Choices are good.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Surf Monkey
trip1ex said:
Better for the price? For the target market? For sales? For the investment? For you?

But I digress because the question never was what is better. The question is what is this FaceTime rumor likely to mean on the ATV. The most obvious answer is the iPhone being the camera. Because they already let you use it as a webcam on the Mac.

it requires no wires. It gives iPhone users another benefit of owning an AppleTV. Apple has control over the experience. It doesn’t require making another version of the ATV which doesn’t seem justified by FT alone.
Click to expand...

The most obvious answer from a user perspective is a dedicated camera. Many people, perhaps most, want to use their phone while on video calls. If your phone is tied up being a FaceTime camera that presents an inconvenience. A dedicated camera that can be placed wherever you want is far more practical. I’ve already discussed this in the thread.

As to “another version of the Apple TV”… I don’t know if you noticed but it hasn’t had a significant update for years. There will be “another version” regardless of what features it does or doesn’t have. So that point doesn’t constitute an argument against it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve09090
CrysisDeu said:
Most benefit comes from the superior panels in the same price range, decent camera, the OS, IOT connectivity and the home made chips.

It might be better if you watch their promo videos on their websites
Click to expand...
A couple of points.

1) I had to laugh when they said on their promo video. "It has a 120Hz screen which is faster than all the other TV's that have a 60Hz screen" 😂

2) I think as a version 1, it looks good. but the camera (whilst very well designed) it does seem a bit weird and I am surprised the 6 microphones built in the TV do not seem to work with the video capture. The audio sounded very tinny. But Ver 1.

3) No updates for 2 years is a worry. And it appears it is no longer available.

Thanks for the headsup. At least they are trying new products. More than other companies are doing. I note that Googled killed another 2 of their major project in the last week. They are dropping support for "Nest Secure" today. 294 failed projects!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Surf Monkey
steve09090 said:
A couple of points.

1) I had to laugh when they said on their promo video. "It has a 120Hz screen which is faster than all the other TV's that have a 60Hz screen" 😂

2) I think as a version 1, it looks good. but the camera (whilst very well designed) it does seem a bit weird and I am surprised the 6 microphones built in the TV do not seem to work with the video capture. The audio sounded very tinny. But Ver 1.

3) No updates for 2 years is a worry. And it appears it is no longer available.

Thanks for the headsup. At least they are trying new products. More than other companies are doing. I note that Googled killed another 2 of their major project in the last week. They are dropping support for "Nest Secure" today. 294 failed projects!
Click to expand...

Imagine an Apple television that has LiDAR and cameras like the Vision that allow you to control the entire thing with hand gestures.

If Jobs were still running the show that’s the kind of thing I’d be looking for. Under Cook? Probably nothing even remotely as interesting.
 
Surf Monkey said:
The most obvious answer from a user perspective is a dedicated camera. Many people, perhaps most, want to use their phone while on video calls. If your phone is tied up being a FaceTime camera that presents an inconvenience. A dedicated camera that can be placed wherever you want is far more practical. I’ve already discussed this in the thread.

As to “another version of the Apple TV”… I don’t know if you noticed but it hasn’t had a significant update for years. There will be “another version” regardless of what features it does or doesn’t have. So that point doesn’t constitute an argument against it.
Click to expand...

You are still trying to answer a different question.

We are talking about a FaceTime rumor on the Apple TV. The most likely explanation of this rumor is the iPhone as the camera. They touted that tech fairly recently in conjunction with the Mac.

You are trying to answer a question of what would work best if I wanted a dedicated face time device for my tv. I don’t completely disagree with your answer to that question. But it is not the same question.

ATV was updated in the last 2 years? Maybe 3. It isn’t a device that gets updated often nevermind in a dramatic manner. Last update was dramatic. Next update likely to be a spec update.
 
Last edited:
  • Angry
Reactions: Surf Monkey
Surf Monkey said:
Imagine an Apple television that has LiDAR and cameras like the Vision that allow you to control the entire thing with hand gestures.

If Jobs were still running the show that’s the kind of thing I’d be looking for. Under Cook? Probably nothing even remotely as interesting.
Click to expand...
Ah, our biggest disagreement... Cook v Jobs.. 😂 Other than that, we probably agree on most things.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Surf Monkey
trip1ex said:
No. You’re mixed up as to what question you’re answering. We are talking about a FaceTime rumor on the Apple TV. The most likely explanation of this rumor is the iPhone as the camera. They touted that tech fairly recently in conjunction with the Mac.

You are trying to answer a different question.

ATV was updated in the last 2 years? Maybe 3. It isn’t a device that gets updated often nevermind in a dramatic manner. Last update was dramatic. Next update likely to be a spec update.
Click to expand...
I am reticent to reply, but last update was only October 2022 and was just a spec bump plus they took out hardware features (Ethernet & HomeKit) on the base model and added FaceTime & a bunch of other software updates in tvOS17. The one before that was a year earlier (April 2021) and the biggest update to hardware in recent history was in 2017.

But yeah, the next update should also be a spec update unless you believe Gurman, and then it will be major.

For the bigger square Apple TV's
2015: HD, A8, Included USB C port
2017: 4K, A10X, Hidden Lightning Port + Dolby Atmos (HomeKit added in 2020 via tvOS update)
2021: 4K, A12, New remote (lightning)
2022, 4K, A15, USB C remote, FaceTime added in 2023 via tvOS update.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Surf Monkey
steve09090 said:
A couple of points.

1) I had to laugh when they said on their promo video. "It has a 120Hz screen which is faster than all the other TV's that have a 60Hz screen" 😂

2) I think as a version 1, it looks good. but the camera (whilst very well designed) it does seem a bit weird and I am surprised the 6 microphones built in the TV do not seem to work with the video capture. The audio sounded very tinny. But Ver 1.

3) No updates for 2 years is a worry. And it appears it is no longer available.

Thanks for the headsup. At least they are trying new products. More than other companies are doing. I note that Googled killed another 2 of their major project in the last week. They are dropping support for "Nest Secure" today. 294 failed projects!
Click to expand...
Their global site might be lagging behind. They released Vision 3 in 2023 with a couple of new innovative features
 
  • Like
Reactions: Surf Monkey and steve09090
I don’t see the point of adding a camera to tv. As others pointed out, the tv may be placed in a way where the camera will be covered or not at a correct angle. Apple already came up with the best idea, IMO, by using continuity camera with iPhone.

What Apple should work on would be a subwoofer and using HomePod minis for surround sound. They should also work on making gaming more of a thing as the games certainly are nothing like what you get on consoles. Siri can be better implemented so that it can work more as a hub.

tvOS can be better, especially the Music app where music videos should be easier and more prominent to view.
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
Makes little sense except maybe for a smallish segment of AppleTV users who happen to position their AppleTV box immediately under or above, center of their TV. Position it anywhere else and while user is looking at the other party on their TV, they will NOT see "you" looking back at them. Instead, you will be looking far left or right of them, above or below them... or they won't be able to see you at all.

All the people who put their AppleTV left or right of their set, behind their set, in a separate cabinet, well below or well above their set will not have any FaceTime-type use for this "feature" as either that camera won't be able to see "you" at all or won't be seeing you so that you are looking right back at "them."

There are TWO solutions to this want:
  1. (already exists) wireless camera accessory via Continuity Camera. Maybe that could be an original iSight-type camera vs. having to use an iPhone... but it would work the same way.
  2. separate camera that mounts above or below, center of the TV and by wired or wireless connection sends its video to AppleTV to send to those on the other end of the video communication. In this, I'd envision the return of a USB port on AppleTV and then plug in a wired camera. Again, this too could be like the original iSight-type camera... and there are MANY of these already on the market, like these 2 4K TV cam examples...

...along with many much smaller types that typically have only HD resolution.

All these other concepts- such as all of the Frankenstein products: merging AppleTV + Camera + Soundbar + Router +++ seem like we are making an A/V iMac... which, just like iMac... can seem great going in but terrible at the end when any one part makes it a "throw baby out with the bathwater" proposition.

Not everyone has a soundbar setup, nor would want to switch to one. Not everyone needs a new router. Not everyone has their AppleTV in the right spot for effective video conferencing. Etc. As you lump in features that don't fit the masses, you cut the segment size of those who would desire this Frankenstein. AppleTV is already a "hobby." Frankenstein would be carving up the hobby share in search of a slice of a slice of a market interested in exactly THAT Frankenstein.

IMO, leave AppleTV almost "as is" except...
  1. Build in a normal USB-C port to which things like cameras, local storage, etc could be attached for those interested without forcing either on those who don't want such features. A "universal" port could scratch just about all itches without adding a lot of cost to AppleTV.
  2. Add the 3.5" headphone jack back to AppleTV for those with Zone 2 Receivers who would like to use the "Jukebox" benefits of AppleTV with Receiver zones that need analog audio in. Yes, there are HDMI "splitters/extractors" but few (any?) seem to readily pass through CEC & HDR correctly. One dirt cheap headphone jack and this jukebox feature returns in a fully compatible way.
Pretty much everyone can get what they want with those 2 changes. Those wanting an Apple-branded soundbar or router should long for those as their OWN products vs. being mashed into this one thing. Else, the complete Frankenstein would probably be priced towards $1K... but obsolete as fast as AppleTV obsoletes in just a few years... even if the speaker and/or router is still perfectly fine at the time. If you want to be shelling out $1K+ every couple of years, keep hoping for this Frankenstein. Else, buy those more "out there" wants as their own thing and things like routers and soundbars/speakers can far outlast faster-to-obsolescence hardware like AppleTV.
Click to expand...

Just giving the power users what they want in the form of basic, decades old concessions like ports and software distributions via website seem like the solution to so many of Apple’s current controversies. They always seem so reluctant to do it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HobeSoundDarryl
Radeon85 said:
Can't see a camera built in working that well as these boxes will be positioned all over the place. They'll be in the very corner, close to the floor, inside cabinets or even hidden behind the TV as I did that to a bedroom wall mounted one.

Only way this would work well is if they made it a separate, really small add on that communicates to the Apple TV wirelesley.
Click to expand...
right now, yeah. But once you add a camera, people will place them front and center on the entertainment stand
 
A camera on the Apple TV box would be literally unusable. I can't imagine the "usability engineers" at Apple are even considering this. A separate, small, easy to mount wired/wireless camera accessory for Apple TV would be great. I love using the continuity camera feature for the Apple TV on our 75" TV with my iPhone for our family FaceTime sessions but it's a painful multistep effort and awkward.
 
Oestreich Dieter said:
right now, yeah. But once you add a camera, people will place them front and center on the entertainment stand
Click to expand...
FaceTime cameras need to be as close to the screen as possible otherwise you look stupid "staring off into space" to other participants.

Also it's virtually impossible to do for wall mounted TV's if there is no nearby stand to put it on. It's usually mounted behind those tv's
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back