Gurman: Combined HomePod/Apple TV Device Remains in Early Development

[fwmireault]

If this came to fruition, you could still make user of the device and probably just turn the screen off.

Yeah probably, but I would pay a higher price tag for a feature that I need to be convinced for, and it will not be as minimalistic as a standard homepod. Apple should do a 2.0 big HomePod before thinking doing a homepod+screen. If they could fill this market gap again, people could have choice for two similar products, one with a screen and one without

 

[randomgeeza]

Just one word... ERGH!

 

[ToxicBlue]

I don't get the need or appeal for this... I can already mirror a FaceTime call to Apple TV and have a full screen to talk. I have an iPad or phone to take calls elsewhere in the house.

That rendor of a iPad mini on a stick attached to a sliced HomePod needs some major work guys.

If you can do that and don't see the appeal of being able to do something kind of similar without having to mirror it, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Topfry]

If you look at the prices of soundbars in the sonos range (£1000 or £500), which I would guess to be fairly comparable to a potential Apple sound bar, add in the value of an ATV and FaceTime camera, it’s starting to look pretty potentially expensive. I think serious av enthusiasts won’t bat an eyelid, but there’s gonna be a whole forum full of complaints about the price of this thing, if it materialises. So yeah…

 

[Yammabot]

Wish they’d stop trying to make it something it’s not. Apple TV is my favorite Apple product and I don’t want it to wash the dishes and just get rid of the TVapp it sucks! Wish I could just delete it!

 

[bodonnell202]

The product they are describing seems like it would appeal to a very niche market, especially at Apple prices. Wouldn’t an Apple TV/HomePod device which is essentially a (good) sound bar with Apple TV integrated make more sense?

 

[sunapple]

These are the worst mock-ups of all time.

I remember a time when…

 

[hcherry]

Always loved the look of the iSight cameras. All I really want is FaceTime on my TV, so my family can easily chat with other family members without needing to fight over who holds the iPhone/iPad.

Give me a camera that integrates with the apple ecosystem!

 

[macduke]

I think it will just be a HomePod that has an Apple TV in it with camera that can do Center Stage like the new iPad Pro and your TV is the display. Would make a great FaceTime device for when you have the whole family involved.

Now if they could also make this a Wi-Fi Router that could connect to an updated HomePod Mini as a mesh access point in the network, and it all integrates with Matter and Thread, then you’d have the ultimate home device. Even better if it could replace the central alarm hub for something like Ring Alarm since that will also be a part of Matter once that spec is finalized. Although I guess that thing also has battery and cellular backup. I just want one device to rule the home!

 

[macduke]

I remember a time when…

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I remember a time when…

 

[sunapple]

I remember a time when…
View attachment 1783216View attachment 1783215View attachment 1783218View attachment 1783217

At least they put some effort in them… 😋

 

[Lemon Olive]

They are so far behind the competition I’m not sure it’s worth their time developing such a product now.

The competition is not particularly impressive. All it takes is for Apple to turn their attention this way to get the best product in this space yet.

 

[Lemon Olive]

I remember a time when…
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It's pretty funny how at that time, no one could imagine an exclusively touch screen phone. As if the buttons on the phone were so critical to its function.

 

[turbineseaplane]

"Hey Siri - show me an odd product combo that I definitely don't want to buy"

 

[sherwinzadeh]

Guarantee you it will be called HomePod Max. Apple's lost any creativity in naming products.

 

[blcamp]

I may be in a distinct minority here, but I just want an updated version of the original HomePod speakers. I've got two of the originals now, and want updated ones for my living room system.

 

[Neo5500lp]

Just give us Homepod 2 with Thread and WiFi 6 please and we’ll be happy. No need to mess with a perfect formula.

 

[ksec]

Still no rumours of AirPort + Apple TV.

And HomPod should be acting like WiFi Mesh.

 

[1258186]

Seems Apple disagrees with you on two fronts:
1. They are no behind the competition and,
2. It's worth it to them to develop a new product with tech they have been working on

They probably investigate and prototype lots of ideas that don’t go any further. We shall see if this one turns into a real product.

 

[vipergts2207]

So take two niche devices and combine them into one that's even nichier? To me the only way to combine these products in a productive manner to me would be to do an ATV/HomePod mini combo. This would give you full HomePod functionality from an ATV and audio could be directed to the HDMI out when the ATV/HomePod is "on". An ATV soundbar would be lame, as Apple has proven they don't like to play nice with others and I'd never drop probably $700+ dollars on a device that probably won't even work with non-Apple devices.

 

[sunapple]

Guarantee you it will be called HomePod Max. Apple's lost any creativity in naming products.

It isn’t creative! Others: It isn’t consistent! 🤷‍♂️

 

[anthogag]

I tried the HomePod and returned it. The sound was not better than my 6 years old Ultimate W200B Bluetooth bookshelf speakers I was going to replace with the HomePod and it didn't have Bluetooth.

The various small speakers trying to be larger than life aren't good.

 

[WigWag Workshop]

Would love to have that G4 looking device for my patio table, if the speaker(s) sound good in an outdoor environment.

 

[routine_analyst]

How pointless... you have an iPhone... or an iPad... it has a screen... it has apps. All you need is a magnetic stand for it and it does what this stupid invention is.

If anything, take the HomePod mini, put a wireless mesh system into it, sell it in a 3 pack and you've got a Siri enabled speaker that also acts as a home wifi network. You know... "it just works" mentality.

 

[goobot]

Stereo bar home pod Apple TV combo