Bloomberg: Future HomePod May Feature iPad Connected Via Robotic Arm to Track Users Around The Room During FaceTime Calls

[MacRumors]

In a report outlining a possible Apple TV with a combined HomePod and camera, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that Apple is exploring a future high-end HomePod speaker that could include an iPad connected via a robotic arm that tracks and follows users around a room.

From the report:

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant, is also mulling the launch of a high-end speaker with a touch screen to better compete with market leaders Google and Amazon.com Inc., the people said. Such a device would combine an iPad with a HomePod speaker and also include a camera for video chat. Apple has explored connecting the iPad to the speaker with a robotic arm that can move to follow a user around a room, similar to Amazon’s latest Echo Show gadget.

Gurman had previously hinted Apple was working on a HomePod with a screen and camera as it looks to bolster its smart home lineup. However, today's report builds on that, revealing that the Cupertino tech giant is looking to utilize the iPad, possibly connected to the speaker via a robotic arm that tracks and follows users during video calls.

The HomePod/iPad combination would work similarly to Amazon's Echo 10, which has a tablet connected to a robotic arm and utilizes facial recognition to keep users in frame during conference calls or when summoned for attention.

Bloomberg notes that the development of this high-end speaker is still very much early in the early stages, calling it a "concept" that could ultimately never see the light of day. Apple recently discontinued its original HomePod, saying that it will instead shift resources to focus on the HomePod mini.

Article Link: Bloomberg: Future HomePod May Feature iPad Connected Via Robotic Arm to Track Users Around The Room During FaceTime Calls

 

[vladimirc]

lol... the robotic arm has the same flavour as the AR contact lens

 

[farewelwilliams]

this makes no sense to me but likely it was worded badly.

either that or mark just burned his sources

 

[koil]

Future AirPods may automatically fly into users ears when a call is received.

 

[BvizioN]

I got a bit lost with the "Robotic Arm" thing.

 

[wesley96]

This sounds both intriguing and frightening. iPad following the user? What could possibly go wrong?

 

[LeeW]

Already sounds like it will be worth the $2k price tag..

 

[0279317]

This sounds both intriguing and frightening. iPad following the user? What could possibly go wrong?

1984 is coming, it's just taking a while longer to get here.

 

[madmin]

Already sounds like it will be worth the $2k price tag..

an arm and a leg ?

 

[Squuiid]

Aren't we too late for an April fools'?

 

[1258186]

Apple’s smart home product strategy seems very confused to me. They can’t sell single products like the HomePod so they’re going to try a multifunction product to copy Facebook Portal, Amazon and Google.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Wide-angle camera lenses can get to a near enough 180degree FOV... why would it need to be on a robotic arm? If the product was designed in a way that had more than one of those cameras on an opposite axis, no need for a robotic arm.

Ludicrous.

 

[ErikGrim]

The perfect form factor for a new homepod:

EDIT: The concept art in this news item was added after I posted this, likely taking the suggestion and running with it.

 

[The Game 161]

basically the expensive option for the big HomePod I bet

 

[WiseAJ]

Um… what? Yeah… no. Do you want SkyNet? This is how it begins.

 

[kycophpd]

Unless Apple is changing who they are as a company, you won’t see this any time soon. Robotic arm for video calls will not be an Apple product.

 

[Razorpit]

Aren't we too late for an April fools'?

It’s becoming like elections, we‘ll soon have April Fool’s month instead of April Fool’s Day.

 

[JosephAW]

The perfect form factor for a new homepod:

View attachment 1756693

 

[Cubsfan]

I assume "Robotic Arm" is something like this: https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/31/...12-magsafe-face-tracking-stand-no-video-calls

 

[Nuno Lopes]

From an ergonomics point of view either it comes with an integrated display or putting the iPad on top makes little sense.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

The perfect form factor for a new homepod:

View attachment 1756693

What a beautiful and radical design that was. Nothing like it before or since.

 

[DeepIn2U]

this makes no sense to me but likely it was worded badly.

either that or mark just burned his sources

You’re not the only one that this this article heading makes no sense. I read 4x thinking I was missing my morning coffee

 

[Marco Klobas]

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Bizarre rumor. I think there is a better chance of seeing a new Apple Pencil with integrated screen for FaceTime calls. Man, I would love to see a mock-up of this.

 

[Bobajobbob]

Never going to happen. Gurman just got punked.