Gurman: Apple Still Working on Combined HomePod and Apple TV With FaceTime Camera

[MacRumors]

Apple is still working on a new HomePod product that combines a speaker, Apple TV functions, and a FaceTime camera, according to reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.

In the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said he "absolutely" thinks that a new HomePod is coming that will likely be "at the center of Apple's approach" to the home.

Q: Do you think a new HomePod or home device is still coming?
A: I absolutely do think a new HomePod is coming — specifically, a device that combines a HomePod, Apple TV and FaceTime camera. I don't think a big stand-alone HomePod is still in development, but perhaps a new HomePod mini is coming. In any case, the combination product will probably be at the center of Apple's approach, with HomePod minis surrounding that throughout the home.

Gurman first suggested last year that Apple was working on a combined Apple TV with HomePod speaker that has a camera for video calls through a connected television set. In April 2021, Gurman said the device's other capabilities would include standard Apple TV box functions like watching video and gaming plus smart speaker uses such as playing music and using Apple's Siri digital assistant.

At the time of the original report, the product was said to be in the early stages, and that Apple could choose not to launch the product or change key features. However, based on Gurman's latest reading of the situation, Apple's original plans are still firmly in place.

Apple discontinued its original high-end ‌HomePod‌ in March 2021, which left many wondering if the company was working on a successor. The HomePod mini, a smaller version of the HomePod which launched in 2020, has been much more popular thanks to its lower price, so it wouldn't be surprising if Apple eventually launched another version of the HomePod mini down the line with new features, as Gurman suggests. But what a device would look like that combines a HomePod, Apple TV, and FaceTime camera still remains unclear.

Article Link: Gurman: Apple Still Working on Combined HomePod and Apple TV With FaceTime Camera

 

[Justin Cymbal]

An Apple TV with a HomePod built-in along with a FaceTime camera would be an awesome device

I use my Apple TV every day and currently have two HomePods paired with it for my surround sound

I would love to see Apple eventually make HomePods again along with Apple TVs with built-in HomePods

 

[RedTheReader]

I can’t believe they killed the original HomePod. And to think, when it came out, I really thought we’d see an eventual HomePod Max. Ohhhh, how wrong I was! Ohhhhhhh, the humanity!

Rest easy, HomePod. You were one of the good ones. Sorry you have to see… whatever this thing is replace you.

 

[goobot]

They’re basically making a smart soundbar. Sounds cool, hopefully it isn’t priced in an insane fashion.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Why are we giving this guy time? He’s not mentioned any source for this, it’s just his wish list.

 

[Blue Nova]

The only way a HomePod mini will succeed is to work on Siri, if this will become the center of communication there is lots of room for a Siri improvement. Now that I have had the HomePod mini for few months I find the communication with Siri is very limited to what the programmers have including to respond to.

Also, there should be a better control of the audio, the speakers seem to have a lot of base, even if it was turned off.

Hey Siri, could you turn off the base? The response will be…. “the base is already turned off”.

Hope they’ll come out with a better HomePod.

 

[Orange Bat]

They’re basically making a smart soundbar. Sounds cool, hopefully it isn’t priced in an insane fashion.

My guess is that it will come in between $399 and $499. IMO, that‘s too expensive for casual users like myself. In fact, the Apple TV 4K is still too expensive considering the cost of the competition. It needs to be about $50 less than it is now. You can pick up a Roku Ultra (my current streaming box) for $69 at Amazon (normally $100). You can buy a decent soundbar with Roku built in at $179, the same price as the Apple TV.

 

[Fyrus]

I can’t believe they killed the original HomePod. And to think, when it came out, I really thought we’d see an eventual HomePod Max. Ohhhh, how wrong I was! Ohhhhhhh, the humanity!

Rest easy, HomePod. You were one of the good ones. Sorry you have to see… whatever this thing is replace you.

The original HomePod had so many hardware problems, I’m glad I sold mine when I did.

The sound was impressive for it’s size but that’s about it. Nonetheless I am looking forward to see what device will replace the OG HomePod… but I’ll wait untill there is a second gen this time.

 

[Jakewilk]

No thanks

 

[t0rqx]

Siri development stagnated for years. Siri needs to get smarter in order to make this device appealing. It’s a rushed product to counter Google and Alexa. That being said these devices kind of died in silence.

 

[scotty321]

The HomePod still exists? And as others have said, Siri is awful. Most homes are powered by Alexa these days.

 

[Rogifan]

They’re basically making a smart soundbar. Sounds cool, hopefully it isn’t priced in an insane fashion.

I wonder if it will come with a subwoofer.

 

[jmgregory1]

When was the last time anyone saw a commercial for either an Alexa or Google smart speaker? If I had to guess, the market is saturated and will require some new feature set, perhaps like an Apple HomePodTV, to drive further growth. But even if they make something like this, it still feels like it will be a niche product geared towards people who already are in the Apple ecosystem.

 

[BlendedFrog]

Why are we giving this guy time? He’s not mentioned any source for this, it’s just his wish list.

He is still better than Prossner (spelling??)

 

[SW3029]

Was his answer actually based on inside knowledge or is it just him guessing? All he says is he "thinks" such a device is coming.

 

[BarrettF77]

Apple lost my dollars a long time ago on home theater with how many missed opportunities they have had on HomePod. So this will not be getting purchased. Already have a lot of Sonos stuff after selling OG HomePods off

 

[44267547]

Apple lost my dollars a long time ago on home theater with how many missed opportunities they have had on HomePod. So this will not be getting purchased. Already have a lot of Sonos stuff after selling OG HomePods off

The OG HomePod was one of my favorite devices Apple has ever released in terms of an accessory product, next to the Apple Watch. They failed to market it properly and they were ‘late to the game’ per se for the release, but it’s an outstanding device that has loads of potential.

 

[Cesar Battistini]

Pleeeease bring back the original HomePod!

I want two as my TV speakers, but I'm afraid of support =/

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Big fan of the original HomePod. I hope Apple brings it back.

If this becomes a reality that would be so cool. But please work on Siri to make the intervention smoother.

 

[syklee26]

All Apple had to do with Homepod was to make it a bluetooth speaker and, with its outstanding sound quality, they would’ve sold a bunch of them. Why don’t they realize that it is the limitation of Homepod that made it an unsuccessful product?

 

[jwolf6589]

The HomePod still exists? And as others have said, Siri is awful. Most homes are powered by Alexa these days.

No Siri is not awful as I use it all the time.

 

[jwolf6589]

Big fan of the original HomePod. I hope Apple brings it back.

If this becomes a reality that would be so cool. But please work on Siri to make the intervention smoother.

Works fine for me.

 

[mthomas184]

They’re basically making a smart soundbar. Sounds cool, hopefully it isn’t priced in an insane fashion.

This is Apple we're talking about. So probably $599 with a $299 Apple branded HDMI cable

 

[satchmo]

I’d rather Apple just focused on giving us something that can just be used as a dumb speaker (some might say that’s what we have in Siri already).

Make it less reliant on Siri. Give us AUX so we can use it without wireless if we so choose to. Sometimes you don’t need to re-invent the wheel with every new product. Just make it work.

 

[azentropy]

They’re basically making a smart soundbar. Sounds cool, hopefully it isn’t priced in an insane fashion.

Maybe, but only if they offer audio/HDMI etc IN. I would have loved to get the original for my TV, but without audio in I actually went with the Roku SoundBar which is great since it works with my Live TV, Playstation, AppleTV and of course as a Roku as well.