HomePod Mini 2 and New Apple TV Launch Timeframe Narrowed Down

[MacRumors]

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models this year, and now he has provided a more precise timeframe.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year."

That timeframe suggests the devices will be released at some point from September through November, rather than in March-April or at WWDC 2025 in June.

The new HomePod mini and Apple TV will be part of Apple's revamped smart home roadmap, which reportedly also includes an all-new home hub this year, followed by a Face ID doorbell/lock and a security camera as early as next year.

Both devices will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, Gurman previously reported. He said the chip supports Wi-Fi 6E, which extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz with a compatible router. This can contribute to faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 6.

Other potential changes coming with the next Apple TV include a newer A-series chip that offers faster performance than the current A15 Bionic chip, a starting price as low as $99 in the U.S., and a built-in camera for FaceTime video calls.

As for the HomePod mini, likely upgrades include a newer S-series chip for faster performance, improved sound quality, and fresh color options. The current HomePod mini was released in November 2020, and it uses the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip.

By launching these devices later in 2025, Apple would be leaving room for several other rumored product announcements earlier in the year, including new versions of the MacBook Air, iPhone SE, AirTag, entry-level iPad, and more.

Article Link: HomePod Mini 2 and New Apple TV Launch Timeframe Narrowed Down

 

[jz0309]

Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year."

in Gurman terms that means H2 2025 ...

and a built-in camera for FaceTime video calls.

how many people have their ATV setup to be able to this? mine sits at the bottom of the enticements center, staring at our feet. IF true - dumb idea

 

[icanhazmac]

and a built-in camera for FaceTime video calls

I hope this is a separate model and not on all of them.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I hope this is a separate model and not on all of them.

I don’t even think it’s that, I think it’s a rumor interpreted completely incorrectly.

 

[JOLoughlin]

So there will be a camera on your Apple TV box…? Seems odd but ok. Wonder if that works considering where people place there black computer box. And there really is no reason to upgrade the chip. Unless there is more to the future of tvOS, apps aren’t really hitting a ceiling are they?

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

I can't make sense of it being built-in, my apple TV is mounted behind the TV this makes no sense.

 

[jz0309]

So there will be a camera on your Apple TV box…? Seems odd but ok. Wonder if that works considering where people place there black computer box. And there really is no reason to upgrade the chip. Unless there is more to the future of tvOS, apps aren’t really hitting a ceiling are they?

If you don’t put a new(er) chip in there then you have to continue to produce the old one, which eventually will be more expensive.

 

[nickf]

An integral camera on the AppleTV makes no sense. A wired camera that you put i.e. on top of your TV would be too clunky for Apple (right?). So that leaves a wireless camera, which associated charging issues.

I'm sceptical.

 

[jhwalker]

I can't make sense of it being built-in, my apple TV is mounted behind the TV this makes no sense.

Exactly - the one in the master bedroom is strapped to the back of the TV, the one in the living room is tucked away inside a components cabinet, and the one in the guest bedroom, while technically visible, is behind the TV on top of the chest of drawers 🤷‍♂️

I'm not likely to move any one of them to facilitate Facetime / video calling

 

[bozzykid]

An integral camera on the AppleTV makes no sense. A wired camera that you put i.e. on top of your TV would be too clunky for Apple (right?). So that leaves a wireless camera, which associated charging issues.

I'm sceptical.

It is because it is likely referring to a homepod with a screen that runs a variant of tvOS. MR just throws this rumor on every Apple TV post for engagement at this point.

 

[Nautilus007]

Man , what are the teams at Apple doing that they are spacing out these product releases with such minimal changes apart.

There is no HYPE products coming from Apple in 2025. The iPhone Air or whatever it will be called will be a disappointment...

 

[Baseiseough]

how many people have their ATV setup to be able to this? mine sits at the bottom of the enticements center, staring at our feet. IF true - dumb idea

I don't know what you entice people to do in this center building of yours, but. with the new Apple TV, they will certainly be enticed to make video calls on top of what they are actually enticed to do!

 

[pavelbure]

Didn’t this same clown say the Apple TV would be released last September ?

 

[himey33]

The Apple TV has been absolute trash for years. I've had every generation and the last two have suffered from huge lip-sync issues across every app, TV and home theatre system I've tried.

I used to recommend them to upgrade TVs that had limited smart features or poor app implementation but I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw a bulk shipment of the little turds.

 

[Rychiar]

So sick of everything coming out end of year.

 

[quietstormSD]

Narrowed down to "toward the end of the year." LMAO

If Gurman is reporting it, then it will be next year. He is ALWAYS wrong.

 

[XboxEvolved]

Well I had planned on getting 2 homepod minis and an AppleTV here shortly because I assumed they'd be releasing the first few months of the year but I guess I can wait until the end of the year. Annoying that it has to happen when new phone comes out, and I'm gearing up to spend crap loads of money on presents.

 

[Gengar]

I'm definitely due for some new Apple TVs. Roku is such a laggy, ad-loaded mess.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

It makes very little sense to build a camera into the AppleTV box. If so and one wants to use it, the ONLY PLACE the AppleTV box can be placed is immediately above or below the TV screen. All other places people put AppleTV where one can see it from the main seating position will then set up the scenario of user seeing the other party on their screen but user appearing to look off to the left or right, not back at the person(s) to which they are FaceTiming.

Example if your AppleTV is NOT currently positioned dead center and just above or below your TV set:

1. Start a selfie video on an iDevice.
2. Now line it up between your face and where your AppleTV is placed.
3. Pretend you are having a FaceTime call, which means look at your TV screen to see the party with which you are FaceTiming. If your iDevice is now aligned with your AppleTV, you'll no longer be looking right towards the selfie camera and thus should immediately anticipate the problem. However... if not, carry on with this easy experiment.
4. Record this way for maybe 30-60 seconds with you pretending to FaceTime (eyes on TV screen like you are looking at "them").
5. Stop this experiment and now watch the video to see what THEY would have been seeing of you while FaceTiming with you.
6. You are NOT looking right back at them. And that's how it will look to them if an Apple TV with built-in camera is not right above or below, CENTER of your TV screen.

This is MUCH worse for all the people who basically hide their AppleTV out of sight. For example, one of mine is completely behind a television. Where a built-in camera would most likely be would be pointed at a ceiling. Unless I can fly up there to be on that ceiling, the other party would not see me at all. But even if I could levitate up there to get into the area the camera could see, I wouldn't be out in front of the TV to see the other party.

This rumor makes very little sense unless Apple wants this to appeal to only a subset of AppleTV buyers who DO place it immediately above or below, CENTER of their TV set... or try to move many who buy to CHANGE where they want to store their AppleTV, by forcing it to be moved to one of those 2 spots (and ONLY those 2 spots).

I think Apple is smart enough to realize this problem and thus NOT embed a camera in the box. If there is going to be a dedicated camera option, I think it would HAVE to be a piece that is separate from the box... perhaps something towards the old firewire iSight camera sold back in the early 2000s (not necessarily as big as that but like that... a completely independent thing with some kind of clip to hold it right on top, center of any screen). Maybe it's wireless? Maybe it's wired to a USB-C port added back onto the next AppleTV? Maybe it's battery powered? Maybe it can plug into a powered USB port on some TVs? All TBD... but all better to actually work for more people than building a camera into the physical box.

 

[Icehawk]

Aww. Was hoping we'd get the new TV sooner. It's hard to justify spending money on such an old one (even though it easily does everything it needs to).

 

[drpiety]

Aww so late. They need time to perfect bitstream at least for Atmos. I get that. LOL

No Bitstream no buy.

 

[ghanwani]

Where's the HomePod 3 with the screen?

 

[svish]

Was expecting it to be earlier. Hopefully the HomePod mini will still have the bright colours. Not expecitng any major change with both the devices. Not sure whether Apple will reduce the price of TV.

 

[gleepskip]

It took Apple four years to update APM to USB-C. Glaciers are finally getting an esteem boost by Apple moving so slowly.

 

[Big_D]

Wi-Fi 6E? That is a little "behind the times" for a new product due at the end of this year, given that the rest of the world moved onto Wi-Fi 7 last year... For the AirPod mini, that isn't such a big problem, Wi-Fi 2 would probably provide more than enough throughput, but it still seems a little odd for a brand new chip to be 2-3 years behind the current standard.