Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

HomePod Operating System Now Based on tvOS Instead of iOS Amid Rumors of Smaller HomePod

wolfie said:
I don’t follow this logic. I have an AppleTV equipped tv (LG C9 OLED). I only use the Appletv box for all my media needs. It’s standardised interface, well supported, has apps for third party content, photos, music, and is fast.

I’m not the only one using the box as their only access to media.

AppleTV box is here to stay.
Click to expand...

The logic is the Amazon Fire TV Cube. Which costs $120.

Apple either needs to compete against the Echo Dot/Google Home Mini at $30-40, or they put a speaker and microphone into the Apple TV and now $150 is within the price range.
 
unsui_grep said:
The big news here (if true) is that Apple is putting the A14 in a new AppleTV. Why would it need such power if they weren't positioning it as a legit gaming console? Maybe not as powerful as the upcoming PS5 and Xbox but it would definitely be cool if it had tighter integration with new HomePods, or existing ones for hat matter.
Click to expand...

The Apple Nippin returns!
 
  • Like
Reactions: unsui_grep
wolfie said:
I don’t follow this logic. I have an AppleTV equipped tv (LG C9 OLED). I only use the Appletv box for all my media needs. It’s standardised interface, well supported, has apps for third party content, photos, music, and is fast.

I’m not the only one using the box as their only access to media.

AppleTV box is here to stay.
Click to expand...

There's a lot packed into my post so you might've missed the gist of it but you'd still have Apple's tvOS user experience available. HomePod replaces the AppleTV and comes with a remote. The HomePod would AirPlay its UI to any nearby AirPlay equipped television. Either that's through AirPlay built into newer TVs or to a new AirPlay Stick sold for TVs without AirPlay.

For a couple of years now, I've been theorizing that the HomePod would become the new centre of the home, replacing the AppleTV. Each step moving us towards that goal has been happening like clockwork.

1. The AppleTV app becoming the new home screen (even though the tvOS home remains there — for now).
2. The launch of AirPlay 2, enabling low latency mirroring.
3. AirPlay made available natively on all the major TV brands.
4. The Apple TV app turning the Apple TV hardware into an app that's available directly on third party TVs and tv boxes, showing that Apple is fine with cannibalizing its AppleTV hardware. Why would they do that if they're planning on keeping the box around?

And now, the next step appears to be coming as expected: a newer lower cost, smaller HomePod that could be sold for less than the price of an AppleTV box. Why get a little TV box when you can get a high fidelity speaker with Siri that also does what the AppleTV does? Apple can't compete with cheap android tv boxes but they can sell a HomePod that brings those users into the tvOS ecosystem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle
Where are the apps for HomePod? You can download games and apps for Apple TV and of course iOS devices, but the HomePod is just "what you see is what you get". Seems like a massive waste to me. I'd buy one of these in a minute if there was an app store with developers coming up with new and interesting uses for HomePod's impressive hardware.
 
ipedro said:
There's a lot packed into my post so you might've missed the gist of it but you'd still have Apple's tvOS user experience available. HomePod replaces the AppleTV and comes with a remote. The HomePod would AirPlay its UI to any nearby AirPlay equipped television. Either that's through AirPlay built into newer TVs or to a new AirPlay Stick sold for TVs without AirPlay.

For a couple of years now, I've been theorizing that the HomePod would become the new centre of the home, replacing the AppleTV. Each step moving us towards that goal has been happening like clockwork.

1. The AppleTV app becoming the new home screen (even though the tvOS home remains there — for now).
2. The launch of AirPlay 2, enabling low latency mirroring.
3. AirPlay made available natively on all the major TV brands.
4. The Apple TV app turning the Apple TV hardware into an app that's available directly on third party TVs and tv boxes, showing that Apple is fine with cannibalizing its AppleTV hardware. Why would they do that if they're planning on keeping the box around?

And now, the next step appears to be coming as expected: a newer lower cost, smaller HomePod that could be sold for less than the price of an AppleTV box. Why get a little TV box when you can get a high fidelity speaker with Siri that also does what the AppleTV does? Apple can't compete with cheap android tv boxes but they can sell a HomePod that brings those users into the tvOS ecosystem.
Click to expand...

I am not following this logic or theory either.

Most people who consume living room experiences will not be airplaying as much as using a set top box/connected device/tv

Airplay is pretty hit or miss. The fact it’s on some TVs is more of a convenience than a statement. I don’t see them ditching the AppleTV box in favor of Airplay. They should keep both.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DCIFRTHS, V_Man, daveak and 3 others
cmaier said:
Wouldn’t mind if they did that as an option, but most people probably don’t want a small speaker in the location where they put their Apple TV.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't need to have the HomePod next to the TV. AirPlay 2 offers near zero latency for wireless video. A HomePod would serve as the centre of the home that can AirPlay its content to any TV in the house, either directly to any new TV with AirPlay built in or to older TVs with AirPlay HDMI sticks. See my posts above for more details.
 
ipedro said:
You wouldn't need to have the HomePod next to the TV. AirPlay 2 offers near zero latency for wireless video. A HomePod would serve as the centre of the home that can AirPlay its content to any TV in the house, either directly to any new TV with AirPlay built in or to older TVs with AirPlay HDMI sticks. See my posts above for more details.
Click to expand...

I haven’t seen airplay work that well, and I would certainly prefer to rely on an HDMI cable. (Not to mention that I would never rely on HomePod for home theater audio.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DCIFRTHS
ipponrg said:
I am not following this logic or theory either.

Most people who consume living room experiences will not be airplaying as much as using a set top box/connected device/tv

Airplay is pretty hit or miss. The fact it’s on some TVs is more of a convenience than a statement. I don’t see them ditching the AppleTV box in favor of Airplay. They should keep both.
Click to expand...

1. To be clear: The HomePod would replace the Apple TV box. HomePod would have a remote so you could sit back and browse tvOS as you do now with the AppleTV. The big difference is that the HomePod wouldn't have to be connected directly to any TV. It would serve as the centre of your home entertainment and could AirPlay its UI (screen mirroring if you will) to any TV in the house. AirPlay to the bedroom, kitchen, or living from the one HomePod. You chose where to play it to, it doesn't need to be connected to any TV because all TVs have AirPlay (either built in or through an AirPlay stick for older TVs).

2. AirPlay 2 enables this. AirPlay is not hit or miss anymore, since AirPlay 2. It works every time because it no longer relies on the local network. Unpredictable home networks is what caused it to be hit or miss. AirPlay 2 now has zero latency which means what you're doing on the source (iPhone/iPad/Mac/HomePod) reflects 1:1 on the TV in real time.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: KeithBN
The Apple TV box is not going away. Just see how bad the support is at the current stage - newest selected models only on a few major brands only. It’s not likely to have a big change in the foreseeable future. And Apple losing the hardware side will make the Apple TV experience as poor as those built in apps in your “smart TV”.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle and SRLMJ23
Apple will be developing a screen based HomePod in that case to compete with Echo Show and the new Facebook crappy thing.

I imagine that the device will be activated on motion detection and will have Face ID.
 
Boatboy24 said:
Soundbar with HomePod sound quality and built in Apple TV functionality?
Click to expand...
You can even keep them separate if need be, but I want a HomePod SoundBar or a HomePod Center Channel. Then, if they do make A smaller/cheaper HomePod, you can use a pair for surround speakers.
[automerge]1586848871[/automerge]
bartszyszka said:
Seems like "HomeOS" (or "homeOS") would make more sense as a name in that case. The OS that powers your home devices, Apple TV and HomePod.
Click to expand...
Maybe it will be, in September(ish) when it gets announced. Can’t give up all the secrets this early.
 
Hm, if iOS 14 is truly a "Snow Leopard" release with bugfixes, there's no way that they cut off iOS 13 devices just yet. I guess this is more forward-thinking for 2021. But as others said: The true news would be HomePod 2 and Apple TV both with A14 chips - that's a LOT of computing power there "just for music" and "just for TV". HomePod 2 could be a great smart home hub, as could be the new ATV hardware. Apple Arcade would just add to it, and if both devices would play superb as a team together, I won't say no to any of those two. If only HomePod would actually release in Austria :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeithBN
szw-mapple fan said:
An Apple TV/HomePod combo device down the road could definitely be interesting. The speaker can display output on the TV and serve as speakers for the TV as well.
Click to expand...
You're on the right track, but approaching it wrong, I think. With new TV's coming with AirPlay and Apple TV app built-in, the HomePod, whatever form it takes, is now a direct I/O for the TV without having to be physically attached at all. HDMI 2 beats out your HDMI 1.2 ports? Not a problem. AirPlay updates to higher throughput. WiFi5 is fast enough to allow for significant future-proofing, even more so for WiFi6 which will likely be included in the next HomePod, it being it's sole I/O source.
 
bartszyszka said:
Seems like "HomeOS" (or "homeOS") would make more sense as a name in that case. The OS that powers your home devices, Apple TV and HomePod.
Click to expand...
I see where this is going.

For the iPhone/iPod touch: iOS Mobile
For the Apple Watch: iOS Basic
For the HomePod/Apple TV: iOS Home
For the iPad: iOS Professional
For the Mac: iOS Ultimate

Chooooose an iOS!
Screen-Shot-2020-04-14-at-10-32-08.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back