Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Future HomePod Could Feature 3D Hand Gestures and Face ID
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Perhaps Siri might work better if it recognized the middle finger gesture after saying "I am sorry I can't help you with that" for the 10th time in a row. At least the middle finger gesture should connect you to tech support right away.
My HomePods do the job I got them for to be honest if it can get smarter that’s great but would I use it more for questions of it did? At the start sure but over time no
I'm thinking Apple will be introducing a family of Home devices! You can't think of the current HomePod as being the framework of the next generation devices. Yes, Apple will intro a HomePod-2 speaker. I'm hoping it just has the Touch Bar ribbon around its circumference so we can get a marque view of the playing sound source. I also want an Ethernet connection! For power over Ethernet (PoE) and direct network support so the HomePod is part of my Mesh WiFi network!
We need more! We need a mini HomePod for the bedroom or kitchen and thats the unit that makes sense having FaceID. Again using PoE, I could see a micro LED's in the fabric in this unit as the circumference is so small for a full touch bar, maybe a vertical unit?
Still need MORE! What about the desk where one would want a full display, FaceID really makes sense. And if I had this in the kitchen reviewing a recipe hand gestures might be useful with dirty hands to advance the page or even answer a call. And Yes PoE and part of the Mesh WiFi.
All of these devices share a common power unit. Pricing will of course be important.
And lastly, HomeKit! We still need a real home server so NOTHING is sent to the net! Or, at least very little (Siri cache server & user media libraries). Still need a really smart Siri and multi user support with different levels of access control (Child, Adult, Guest & Supervisor)
We need more! We need a mini HomePod for the bedroom or kitchen and thats the unit that makes sense having FaceID. Again using PoE, I could see a micro LED's in the fabric in this unit as the circumference is so small for a full touch bar, maybe a vertical unit?
Still need MORE! What about the desk where one would want a full display, FaceID really makes sense. And if I had this in the kitchen reviewing a recipe hand gestures might be useful with dirty hands to advance the page or even answer a call. And Yes PoE and part of the Mesh WiFi.
All of these devices share a common power unit. Pricing will of course be important.
And lastly, HomeKit! We still need a real home server so NOTHING is sent to the net! Or, at least very little (Siri cache server & user media libraries). Still need a really smart Siri and multi user support with different levels of access control (Child, Adult, Guest & Supervisor)
Last edited:
speak for yourself, I am still waiting for the original HomePod to come available here. I would love one. Possibly more than one.
I think Douglas Adams, once again, predicted the future...
A loud clatter of gunk music flooded through the Heart of Gold cabin as Zaphod searched the sub-etha radio wave bands for news of himself. The machine was rather difficult to operate. For years radios had been operated by means of pressing buttons and turning dials; then as the technology became more sophisticated the controls were made touch-sensitive--you merely had to brush the panels with your fingers; now all you had to do was wave your hand in the general direction of the components and hope. It saved a lot of muscular expenditure, of course, but meant that you had to sit infuriatingly still if you wanted to keep listening to the same program.
Zaphod waved a hand and the channel switched again.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Zaphod waved a hand and the channel switched again.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
At least I'd finally have some motivation to start working out. Also... I'm sure I'd be shredded in no time flat.
why not have a mesh network of homepods in your home, so wherever you are there is one by your side?
That’s just it. They do the job. Yes the google assistant is smarter and so is Alexa but they don’t play as nicely with my Apple devices as my HomePods do. They also don’t sound as nice.
I’m hoping that Siri shortcuts continue to be developed.
[doublepost=1549656004][/doublepost]
I think so too. Look at the Apple Watch. Everyone wrote that off as a flop and it slowly gained traction.
A recently published Apple patent application suggests that a future HomePod could feature support for 3D hand gestures, Face ID, and much more.
While the patent application does not refer to the HomePod by name, it describes a voice-controlled assistant device such as a "countertop speaker" with various sensors and cameras that "gather hand gestures and other three-dimensional gesture input." This could include waving, clapping, and so forth.
Interestingly, the HomePod could have LEDs woven into the fabric to provide visual feedback for the hand gestures. The LEDs could also be configured to display alphanumeric characters through the fabric that change depending on time of day.
3D hand gesture support on the HomePod could utilize technology Apple gained from its acquisition of PrimeSense in 2013. In 2016, for example, Apple filed a patent for hand gestures on the Mac such as push, up, and wave that could be used to perform basic app interactions like scrolling through a menu.PrimeSense's technologies were initially used by Microsoft for its Kinect motion sensor for Xbox. Apple later incorporated some of the technologies into the TrueDepth system that powers Face ID on the iPhone X and newer.
As for Face ID, the patent explains that the HomePod could identify users in the vicinity of the speaker using "facial recognition," as well as measure the distance of users to the speaker. This could allow for biometric authentication of Personal Requests, multiple user profiles, and more on a future HomePod.
In late 2017, the president of Apple supplier Inventec said his company sees a trend towards both facial and image recognition technology being incorporated into smart speakers, without specifying which speakers in particular. This led Apple analyst Jeff Pu to predict the launch of a Face ID-enabled HomePod in 2019.
The exhaustive patent goes on to describe a variety of other potential features for a future HomePod, such as ambient light sensing, displaying a sunshine icon if sunny weather is forecast, displaying the logo of a sports team that wins a game, heart rate sensing, and much more.
One quirky feature mentioned is an emoji-based avatar that would adapt to a user's mood or actions. If the user is sad, for example, the emoji may reflect sadness. Or, if a user asks the HomePod for information on purchasing a birthday gift, the speaker may display a happy emoji to present results.
The patent application was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in July 2017, six months prior to the launch of the current HomePod, but it was only published in late January due to a standard 18-month confidentiality period.
Apple files numerous patent applications every week, of course, and many of the inventions do not see the light of day. Patents are also very detailed, encompassing many possible ideas, even ones that Apple might not have any plans to advance. So, the exact implementation if any remains to be seen.
Article Link: Future HomePod Could Feature 3D Hand Gestures and Face ID
With the HomePod already selling for hundreds of dollars more than the competition, how much is Apple thinking of selling this Face ID version for? If the price goes up any more, we should expect a corresponding reduction in sales. This is what happened to the iPhone, as the price went up, sales went down. If Apple wants to sell any quantity of its products, the company will have to lower prices dramatically on its devices all the way from the low-end to the high-end. "Budget" devices will not save the company, increased sales will save the company, and it starts with lower prices.
Did any one at MR vet this article before putting it on your website?
Face ID makes no sense on HomePod! Hows this gonna work when I'm supposedly relaxing on my sofa and HomePod is on the television stand across the room?
Also, fix Siri first then we can have a real conversion about HomePod.
Face ID makes no sense on HomePod! Hows this gonna work when I'm supposedly relaxing on my sofa and HomePod is on the television stand across the room?
Also, fix Siri first then we can have a real conversion about HomePod.
In myview the first thing that Apple has to address is why is "Homepod" and "AppleTV" two separate devices it doesnt make any sense. they should be one device. Specially for the price that Apple sells "HomePod" at.
You need gestures because Siri sucks so badly. I agree, no idea what the purpose of FaceID is for. What are people going to have to do? Go over to where the speaker is and look at the top of it?
These two features make zero sense on a portable speaker.
I don’t think they should be the same device but there should be more integration between the two. For example I should be able to say to the HomePod play game of thrones and it should start playing on the Apple TV. Just like you can do with the google home and the chromecast.
As an owner of a HomePod, I just wish Apple would invest more time/effort into making it more useful. I agree sound quality is excellent, but my comparatively cheaper Google Home Mini and Google Home Hub both run rings around this thing in terms of usefulness, connectivity and customisability (eg. choosing news sources).
Maybe it was all just a ploy to get me to sign up to Apple Music... at some point I'm going to cancel it as it seems redundant to have both Spotify Premium and Apple Music.
[doublepost=1549772402][/doublepost]
I agree. I was shocked when I realised I couldn't do this on my Homepod/ATV 4th gen.
Maybe it was all just a ploy to get me to sign up to Apple Music... at some point I'm going to cancel it as it seems redundant to have both Spotify Premium and Apple Music.
[doublepost=1549772402][/doublepost]
I agree. I was shocked when I realised I couldn't do this on my Homepod/ATV 4th gen.
[doublepost=1549791194][/doublepost]Wow, all this forthcoming gimmickry, the very essence of peripheral thinking. What Apple SHOULD be thinking about:
A recently published Apple patent application suggests that a future HomePod could feature support for 3D hand gestures, Face ID, and much more.
While the patent application does not refer to the HomePod by name, it describes a voice-controlled assistant device such as a "countertop speaker" with various sensors and cameras that "gather hand gestures and other three-dimensional gesture input." This could include waving, clapping, and so forth.
Interestingly, the HomePod could have LEDs woven into the fabric to provide visual feedback for the hand gestures. The LEDs could also be configured to display alphanumeric characters through the fabric that change depending on time of day.
3D hand gesture support on the HomePod could utilize technology Apple gained from its acquisition of PrimeSense in 2013. In 2016, for example, Apple filed a patent for hand gestures on the Mac such as push, up, and wave that could be used to perform basic app interactions like scrolling through a menu.PrimeSense's technologies were initially used by Microsoft for its Kinect motion sensor for Xbox. Apple later incorporated some of the technologies into the TrueDepth system that powers Face ID on the iPhone X and newer.
As for Face ID, the patent explains that the HomePod could identify users in the vicinity of the speaker using "facial recognition," as well as measure the distance of users to the speaker. This could allow for biometric authentication of Personal Requests, multiple user profiles, and more on a future HomePod.
In late 2017, the president of Apple supplier Inventec said his company sees a trend towards both facial and image recognition technology being incorporated into smart speakers, without specifying which speakers in particular. This led Apple analyst Jeff Pu to predict the launch of a Face ID-enabled HomePod in 2019.
The exhaustive patent goes on to describe a variety of other potential features for a future HomePod, such as ambient light sensing, displaying a sunshine icon if sunny weather is forecast, displaying the logo of a sports team that wins a game, heart rate sensing, and much more.
One quirky feature mentioned is an emoji-based avatar that would adapt to a user's mood or actions. If the user is sad, for example, the emoji may reflect sadness. Or, if a user asks the HomePod for information on purchasing a birthday gift, the speaker may display a happy emoji to present results.
The patent application was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in July 2017, six months prior to the launch of the current HomePod, but it was only published in late January due to a standard 18-month confidentiality period.
Apple files numerous patent applications every week, of course, and many of the inventions do not see the light of day. Patents are also very detailed, encompassing many possible ideas, even ones that Apple might not have any plans to advance. So, the exact implementation if any remains to be seen.
Article Link: Future HomePod Could Feature 3D Hand Gestures and Face ID
1. Bluetooth capability and maybe even an audio input port (to dramatically increase the uses to which the Home Pod could be put, which wouldn't exactly hurt sales).
2. A moderately beefed-up onboard amplifier (even in my medium-sized listening room it isn't quite loud enough to handle some audio material, the gain level on the music sources I listen to varies so widely).
3. A coordinated subwoofer (particularly for playing t. v. audio).
4. A pair of baby brother speakers which could interact with a pair of the current models and the subwoofer I'd like to see as rear speakers in a home theater setup (vide supra about increasing sales figures).
5. Finally, at long long bloody last, a Siri that actually works.
Add these all up and the Home Pod would be able to compete with such rivals as Sonos products on equal terms. At the moment they're eating Apple's lunch. Come on, guys up in Cupertino, it's way past the time to take the finger out and do some actual work to justify those hefty salaries and juicy stock options. Maybe fire a Vice President or two just to encourage the others?
Last edited:
For the price of Homepod i want one device, it isnt justifiable buy with the price and processor it has, the processor in homepod is entirely capable of doing a lot more than Apple let it do.