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Apple TV's Karaoke Feature Will Let You See Yourself On-Screen With tvOS 17 Update

subjonas said:
With ATV now having FaceTime and Karaoke video, it could really use:
1) a way to connect to a dedicated external camera. Using your iPhone camera via Continuity means you have to set it up each time, you can’t use your phone during, plus you have to think about battery level. You don’t want an internal camera built into the unit, you want to be able to place it wherever you want, including on top of the TV. The ATV unit should simply have a USB(c?) port so you can connect any webcam (are all peripherals going usbc?). Not 100% sure it would be able to support the nicety of Center Stage, but I think it could since people would be positioned pretty far away from the camera.
2) maybe a decent mic on the remote for karaoke, maybe for FaceTime (assuming the current mic isn’t decent). This might not be needed if an iPhone mic is good enough and can be used, but then you might have to pass the iPhone around to each singer which is a little weird.

Maybe Apple will have these in the next ATV iteration. Although, the better mic on the remote might make the remote bigger and drive up costs too much, so maybe Apple would just set up some kind of connection to third party wireless mics.
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Sounds about right!
 
jz0309 said:
Didn’t know karaoke is still a thing ;)
I guess I spend too much time outside enjoying nature beauty around me…
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This is what I'm picturing...

MV5BMjEyNDc2MDMyNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDU0MTUzNA@@._V1_.jpg
 
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Dissonance said:
With multiple camera-based uses for the AppleTV now, doesn’t it seem like they should just build a camera into it?
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No. Why? Because then a person wanting to use it for a purpose like FaceTime would have to position it dead center just above or below the TV. I wonder how many people have their AppleTV in those 2 spots right now?

I presume many have it left or right of the TV, hidden behind the TV, hidden in a cabinet, etc. Start a FaceTime call on an iDevice and then put it where your AppleTV is located and sit where you would want to FaceTime on TV. You'll quickly see the problem (or actually the person on the other end will see it).

No way for the person on the other end to see you looking back at them unless that camera is about dead center and as close to the screen as possible.

If we want to make a wish, let's wish back a fully functional USB port to which any camera- not just iPhone- could be direct attached and used in this way... along with many other possibilities of a working USB port (like the original AppleTV ability to sync files vs. so much focus on stream only since).

And while I'm at: NO, to the "Frankenstein" device too, which is usually cast as soundbar + AppleTV + router + <other> all in one case. Not everyone uses a soundbar. Many people have moved on from Apple routers. AppleTV has a shelf life MUCH shorter than a good speaker... but this would be yet another "throw baby out with the bathwater when any one part is out of date or made out of date by OS updates". Etc. Let's not even think about the price of Frankenstein.
 
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alexandr said:
Everyone goes out and buys a second iPhone for FaceTime and karaoke :D
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Or don't sell the old one and it becomes THIS. Less used iPhone market quantity drives up the price of used phones. Get that used market price up and some will opt for new. 💰💰

Locking it to iPhone also pressures households to give everyone an iPhone. Why? Because if the main iPhone typically used for this is out with the owner, the rest of the FAM can't use this feature unless they have iPhones too. IMO, this one thing here would make the dedicated camera concept a much better implementation of this benefit. As is, great for the "single, living alone" crowd but complicated for those with family unless everyone has an iPhone too. Again, 💰💰
 
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Dissonance said:
With multiple camera-based uses for the AppleTV now, doesn’t it seem like they should just build a camera into it?
Click to expand...
I would prefer a camera attachment if anything, as most of my TVs are mounted to the back of the TV or in a media rack. Only one of them would be in a situation ti make a built in camera useful.
 
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Long ago, Apple made a dedicated FaceTime (then called iSight) camera and mount for monitors. It was relatively HUGE with a LOT of depth from front to back...

isight.jpg

However, now they can jam great cameras into iPhone thickness. How about an iSight revival for this purpose using one good iPhone camera, a good mic or two, in a tiny little case that mounts to the top of anything?

That seems ideal & ultimate incarnation of this concept for this use.

Oh, and now I notice another kind of "inflation" has soda cans shrinking down to about that size... but still holding firm at the old 12 oz "inflated" pricing.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
Or don't sell the old one and it becomes THIS. Less used iPhone market quantity drives up the price of used phones. Get that used market price up and some will opt for new. 💰💰

Locking it to iPhone also pressures households to give everyone an iPhone. Why? Because if the main iPhone typically used for this is out with the owner, the rest of the FAM can't use this feature unless they have iPhones too. IMO, this one thing here would make the dedicated camera concept a much better implementation of this benefit. As is, great for the "single, living alone" crowd but complicated for those with family unless everyone has an iPhone too. Again, 💰💰
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Sure, I've got a backup iPhone in the form of a 12 mini that belonged to my wife before she inherited my 13 Pro... But I can't be expected to use a 12 mini camera for FaceTime and Karaoke, can I?!
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
Long ago, Apple made a dedicated FaceTime (then called iSight) camera and mount for monitors. It was relatively HUGE with a LOT of depth from front to back...


However, now they can jam great cameras into iPhone thickness. How about an iSight revival for this purpose using one good iPhone camera, a good mic or two, in a tiny little case that mounts to the top of anything?

That seems ideal & ultimate incarnation of this concept for this use.

Oh, and now I notice another kind of "inflation" has soda cans shrinking down to about that size... but still holding firm at the old 12 oz "inflated" pricing.
Click to expand...
One of the most beautiful designs from Apple. Mine is still sitting on my 30" Cinema, even though the firewire is on no use to me now :)
 
Dissonance said:
With multiple camera-based uses for the AppleTV now, doesn’t it seem like they should just build a camera into it?
Click to expand...
I was just wondering how long it will be till Apple or a third party makes a camera that can be used with a TVos. Have a dedicated camera just for TVos to use for facetime or whatever you might need it for.
 
Dissonance said:
With multiple camera-based uses for the AppleTV now, doesn’t it seem like they should just build a camera into it?
Click to expand...

For a device in our homes, a camera needs to be very deliberately opt in. Apple is smart to make this a piece of hardware you can add in to augment the experience, not something built into the Apple TV.

robertmorris2 said:
I was just wondering how long it will be till Apple or a third party makes a camera that can be used with a TVos. Have a dedicated camera just for TVos to use for facetime or whatever you might need it for.
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I was going to say this, but then I realized that the latest Apple TV 4K got rid of the USB-C port. A camera that needs to work wirelessly would need to be charged, making it less of an ever ready feature for calls and apps. Having it run a cable to plug somewhere else for charging isn't an ideal situation either.
 
alexandr said:
Sure, I've got a backup iPhone in the form of a 12 mini that belonged to my wife before she inherited my 13 Pro... But I can't be expected to use a 12 mini camera for FaceTime and Karaoke, can I?!
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If asking me- fellow consumer- YES, if it can work.

If asking "another record quarter for revenue & profit" Apple Inc, you'll need a brand new, loaded MAX... and another next year. 💰💰
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
If asking me- fellow consumer- YES, if it can work.

If asking "another record quarter for revenue & profit" Apple Inc, you'll need a brand new MAX... and another next year. 💰💰
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You're right, I'm waiting for the mid year new Pro color to get it for the purpose of a karaoke camera!
 
Feeding the ever-increasing level of narcissism among the general public. Wonderful moves!
 
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