Bloomberg: Apple Working on New Apple TV With Integrated HomePod Speaker and FaceTime Camera

[vipergts2207]

So instead of paying $150-$200 for the ATV, we will have the "privilege" of paying what? $400 or more? The combined functionality of ATV+HomePod+Facetime camera will surely not be cheap. Hope they keep the standalone ATV. Have zero need for a HomePod with my existing home theater setup. Don't need Facetime either.

 

[Herrpod]

I replaced my Apple TV with a Fire TV Cube recently and every day I consider switching back. I got the fire TV for 4K playback and with the hope that it would make it easier for my mom to switch to streaming With a simple voice command. When it works, it’s great. When it works.

I also have a couple of Roku boxes for extra rooms. Roku is pretty great compared to Fire TV. However, its still not as snappy or as nice as my old Apple TV. If Apple were to make a solid Apple TV soundbar I’d most likely buy it on day one. The inability to update the Apple TV at a faster clip (and at more competitive pricing) is a giant missed opportunity on Apple’s part. It works well, the picture is still fantastic, and it still feels snappy and intuitive. However, Apple has let their competitors catch up a bit and it is harder than ever to recommend an Apple TV over more inexpensive devices, even with all the issues. I hope Apple isn’t going to do something dumb like slap an Apple TV into a Home Pod and instead creates something much more useful for us.

Chromecast with Google TV is the best of the bunch. Even better than Apple TV at a third/fourth of the price.

 

[satchmo]

At some point you gotta wonder, why not just make that Apple branded TV complete with built in camera, soundbar with accompanying mini HomePod speakers for surround sound.

 

[M-Life]

Disappointed. I was hoping for a combined Apple TV with a Nespresso machine, and the empty capsules would be used as AirTags.

Please apply for a job at Apple right this instant. We need your ideas to become reality.

 

[brucewayne]

Nope it’s Going to bevome a games console / Family hub / Facetime device.

I do suspect they will bring out a cameraless simple ATV dongle for $50. Basically a ATV4K in dongle format.

If they don't do a reasonably priced stick ($49-$79) soon they may as well drop it. Most people have more than 1 TV (kids rooms, bedrooms, kitchens) and $180 in some cases is as much as the tv itself.

 

[zorinlynx]

Most people have a smart TV now with the Apple TV app built in. I don’t think we actually need a separate Apple TV box anymore.

The interface and usability of built in smart TV apps is generally garbage compared to the Apple TV. There is no comparison.

I have a 2020 Samsung smart TV and couldn't stand its built in interface. Went back to my Apple TV very quick.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

Ugh. I just want an AppleTV with an ergonomic remote. It would be nice to have the AppleTV download lossless 4K versions of the movies in my library so they can be played back without compression.

 

[MistrSynistr]

How...is a upgraded AppleTV box not already in production and ready to go by now??

If you re-design the remote and not make it GLASS, slim the profile down of the box, you've got a $99 or less version. Done.

Who is going to pay MORE for this thing with a speaker built in?

 

[iOS Geek]

I just want a new Apple TV. Been waiting for a year to get one because the dang current one is so old, and I hope they’re going to do something great for Apple Arcade - hopefully something with the graphics processor they’ve been rumored to be developing.

I'm on board for a new one as well. I have a crap-ton of Apple trade-in credit just sitting there waiting to be spent 😂 A new Mac and new Apple TV are really the only things calling my name right now

 

[newyorksole]

So much for Tim cracking down on leaks. Seems to be more than ever at the moment.

Bruh... Leaks happen every single year and will continue to happen lol. We’re not seeing as many actual parts leak anymore which is probably what he meant.

In terms of details? Some of these are controlled leaks to build hype and other leaks are purposeful to weed out leakers.

Hundreds/thousands of people are involved in all of these things so details are bound to come out.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

But to most consumers, it is for most purposes.

I really isn't. No one is buying an Apple TV box just to use the Apple TV app; likewise, no one is subscribing to Apple TV+ or using the app on their telly in lieu of owning a dedicated Apple TV box. I don't really know what point you're making or where you think the crossover of these people are.

 

[cflem]

Soundbar...

 

[Macintosh IIvx]

Seems silly. Placement of my Apple TV may be different than placement of a speaker. And placement of a speaker is likely to be different from where I want a camera for FaceTime.

 

[trip1ex]

the problem with an ATV in the hOmepod is a speaker can pretty much last 20 years to forever while an AppleTV likely to have a much shorter lifespan.

The good part about that though is their would (likely) be a hard wire from Homepod to TV. And in theory you'd be able to use Homepod with other tv sources via hDMI audio return.

 

[insomniac86]

Sigh... Let's hope this rumour isn't accurate.
Oh dear... merging a HomePod and an Apple TV doesn't make any sense at all.
Can someone on here explain to me how having a streaming device hooked up to your TV, is gonna produce good sound and provide a decent position for a camera?

What makes more sense is to merge an Apple TV into a Soundbar (and an optional big daddy BassPod).

Another smarter product would be the return of a larger HomePod with Wifi 6e Mesh, Thread and UWB support.
That way you can have great sound and amazing wifi coverage throughout your home.

I'm not against a HomePod version with an integrated screen, but that could be a different model, and an integrated screen isn't an Apple TV.

 

[Baron Thompson]

Wow, only about 12 months to late.

Great product, need it now though not in 12 months. Still, I just want a new Apple TV asap, been waiting too long now.

Also, love the United shirt in your photo.

 

[Rigby]

If they were disappointed by the sales of the Homepod, they'll be even more disappointed by the sales of this contraption (if it's real).

 

[jimbobb24]

Most people have a smart TV now with the Apple TV app built in. I don’t think we actually need a separate Apple TV box anymore.

What about the applications that run on the Apple TV. I use the device Apple TV without Apple+ TV 99% of the time.

 

[jlc1978]

I assume it has to have a screen.

Unless that is what the "Apple TV" part is supposed to be about, and they expect you to plug it in to your TV. But that sounds awful.

I would assume so as well. The challenge is Apple devices are never cheap, and an added screen screams several hundred dollars; when you can get other devices such as the Amazon Echo Show for a lot less.

If you want to outfit a home with a network of them it gets expensive quickly. In comparison, I have Echo devices in key spots and have less than $200 invested in total. Some use the Echo speaker to play music and others are connected to external speakers. Not exactly HiFi but good enough for my purposes.

Add in the slow adoption of Homekit for home automation and Apple really doesn't have a competitive offering. I'd love to have everything linked via Homekit b ut it just isn't possible, and setting up a bridge is a frustrating exercise, even if you have some technical skills.

Except 90% of SmartTVs are very slow and become unuasalbe after a few years. Apps are Never updated And eventually disappear. Or they are just plain slow and buggy because the TV company internal update process is so painful, developers never bother.

While I agree with your premise, at least you can use the TV as a dumb TV with an ATV or other box.

 

[Deliro]

So much for Tim cracking down on leaks. Seems to be more than ever at the moment.

So many of them, are untrue.

 

[thogin]

An AppleTV/Homepod soundbar would be a compelling product and seems like an obvious category for Apple to get into.

 

[Rigby]

While I agree with your premise, at least you can use the TV as a dumb TV with an ATV or other box.

Let's hope they keep making an ATV. The ATV4k is actually almost perfect for me. What I would like to see is an updated version with a few minor improvements (such as support for audio bitstreaming), a less symmetrical remote, and a lower price. Perhaps they can make a faster (and more expensive) premium version for people who are interested in games.

 

[Deliro]

I just want a new Apple TV. Been waiting for a year to get one because the dang current one is so old, and I hope they’re going to do something great for Apple Arcade - hopefully something with the graphics processor they’ve been rumored to be developing.

Apple Arcade, will not be a console competitor for a long time, for a lot of reasons other than hardware. I'd be happy with an updated AppleTV, that doesn't cost more, with spacial audio and improved internals.

This whole speaker, FaceTime, screen, combo doesn't sound appealing at all.

 

[bbplayer5]

Spatial audio or bust.

 

[w5jck]

So they are copying the new Amazon Show and the Fire TV Cube? Barf. I'm sure Apple will do a better job than Amazon and Google on these copycat items, but the cost will be too high, as usual. I personally don't see why I would ever want a camera on my Apple TV though. If I want to teleconference I will use my MacBook Pro or an iPad. placing a cam on a TV set that is 8 feet away wouldn't make much sense for my case. On the other hand, I rarely teleconference as I hate doing that...