Leak Confirms Apple's Work On 'Home Accessory'

[klasma]

will the screen physically turn towards you?

It will physically jump at you like a facehugger and transform into a Vision Pro.

 

[fatTribble]

What does this do that a cheap used phone can't do?

I think that’s a good question that won’t get answered until it’s announced

 

[EugW]

I was thinking the same, love the G4 iMac, I have a working one that I have upgraded the RAM, added Wireless and installed an SSD. Still use it to rip the occasional CD into MP3 tracks, as it is the only Mac I have with a CD drive.

I have two fully functional G4 iMacs (15" and 20") albeit not in perfect condition. However, I don't use them. They are simply on display. I have an external region-free DVD drive if I want to rip a DVD or CD, but I very rarely do that these days.

 

[stevemiller]

I’m increasingly realizing I’m not the target market for apple’s device catalog. I think I want less tech in my life, not more.

 

[subjonas]

F

yeah I’m saying you can map rooms and depending on which room it’s placed in it’s automatic. Say Kitchen, Living Room, Garage. But bedrooms are all manually accepted.

I know, I meant common space rooms too. People do private things when no one else is around no matter what room they're in, even if it’s just not being “presentable” (eg. only wearing your boxer briefs).

 

[wanha]

So.. an ipad with a stand, but welded together? What am I missing?

For some use cases, having a device always be in one place is valuable in and of itself. Such would be the case with a home hub with a screen, for example.

If I leave an iPad lying around, god knows where I’ll find it the moment my kids get their sticky hands on it and now how do I dim the lights in my tv room

 

[wanha]

I’m increasingly realizing I’m not the target market for apple’s device catalog. I think I want less tech in my life, not more.

I think the more tech we get into our lives, the more we start to become aware of the cost of giving technology so much of our attention.

As such, it is often a healthy reaction to start wanting less tech in one’s life

 

[Iwavvns]

Please just put out an Apple TV with an M series chip. Why wouldn't Apple want to compete in the console space?

Given that Apple Arcade is a paid subscription, Apple may be doing exactly that. More memory, an M-series chip and seamless integration with the Vision headset. The Vision headset could have been one of the final pieces in that plan.

 

[Veihl]

Nice, this will be the first HomePod type device I get for the whole home on the Siri side. Was thinking the Kitchen for it, if it has a screen.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

They should make iMacs like that again

It was the best iMac design ever IMO

Loved how you could just finger touch move the screen around/up/down, etc

It really was. FAR better than what they're calling an "iMac" these days.

 

[ThailandToo]

Make a HomePod with screen that looks just like that, like the old iMac G4s, and I would buy one in a heartbeat.

$1800? That’s Apple pricing! Wait, it would probably have 4GB of RAM and not run AI therefore.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Yes. It is called an "iPhone".

This rumored device is just an iPhone and a deskstand/charger. Well, actually a little less than that. The "iPhone" has no cellphone features, no rear-facing camera, and most of the apps are removed. But otherwise it is just am iPhone on a stick

If you wanted this functionality you could place your old phone (with no SIM card) on a charger stand. As long as the old iPhone could run the latest IOS, you'd be good.

What does this do that a cheap used phone can't do?

I'm literally doing that.

I've got old iPhones placed around the house that I use mostly to control the lights. They don't really need the latest iOS to do it.

 

[sublunar]

On a similar note, the code also references two unreleased Apple TV models with the identifiers AppleTV14,4 and AppleTV14,5. Rumors suggest that an updated Apple TV could launch in 2024.

Apple is expected to announce new iPhones, iPads, and potentially other products in September.

AppleTV with A18 could serve as a home hub, making all iCloud connected devices capable of accessing Apple Intelligence when an AI capable device is on the same network.

And we can already expect A18 to end up in other stuff that's coming up in the next 3 quarters - iPhone 16 (and Pro), iPad mini, iPhone SE4, might be a stretch for classic iPad but this retro Sunflower iMac G4 style design might just gain more of an audience than average punters might.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

AppleTV with A18 could serve as a home hub, making all iCloud connected devices capable of accessing Apple Intelligence when an AI capable device is on the same network.

And we can already expect A18 to end up in other stuff that's coming up in the next 3 quarters - iPhone 16 (and Pro), iPad mini, iPhone SE4, might be a stretch for classic iPad but this retro Sunflower iMac G4 style design might just gain more of an audience than average punters might.

From what I remember the device identifier usually gives indication to the chip. anything 14. runs A15, anything 15. is A16 etc

So just the new 'Home Accessory' device would run A18, the two unidentified Apple TV models look like they still run A15 as their identifiers are 14.4 and 14.5.

 

[TVreporter]

I use HomePod Minis for music and occasionally ask for weather or sports updates or to turn on the smart lights. My wife prefers the latter than stumbling through HomeKit on her phone.

I'd buy an updated home version product if Siri is improved. Even with the lights she'll get rooms wrong now and then.

 

[Oestreich Dieter]

Wish they would make a soundbar with built in ATV. could cut down on all the needed "devices" and could put a beefier chip to run AI as well as future proof it.

This is actually a great idea.

 

[HowardEv]

We need a 32" 6K iMac. We don't need any more gimmicks.

How about a 32” 6K screen with built-in TVos. It’s be a great TV and monitor for and charger for things plugged in.

If you need MacOS, use a separate Mini or MacBook that has the computing power you need. Upgrade each as needed. All-in-ones are inherent compromises.

 

[sublunar]

From what I remember the device identifier usually gives indication to the chip. anything 14. runs A15, anything 15. is A16 etc

So just the new 'Home Accessory' device would run A18, the two unidentified Apple TV models look like they still run A15 as their identifiers are 14.4 and 14.5.

That's an interesting theory but if not a new CPU (even an A16 would be deemed an upgrade) then what are they doing that's worthy of replacing the 2022 model if not replacing the A15 CPU?

If the bog standard iPad only got a price cut last time (and that comes with A14 CPU), could it get a bump to A15 with 6Gb?

And if that's the case then AppleTV with no CPU change (except maybe for more RAM? The precedent being that the iPhone 14 got a version of the A15 from the iPhone 13 Pro - with 6Gb RAM) suggests something else - maybe we're about to see that rumoured variant with a camera inside a sound bar?

Mind you, on that theory there's 5 iPhones coming up in the next few months with the same CPU (assuming it's the A18), so that suggests the much rumoured SE4 will indeed have the A18 - although it could be a binned version of course).

 

[cbum]

What's with the iLamp in the picture?

 

[Supercyborgninja]

I know, I meant common space rooms too. People do private things when no one else is around no matter what room they're in, even if it’s just not being “presentable” (eg. only wearing your boxer briefs).

Right but you would be able to make that choice knowing that. With automation you could decide after say 7pm no calls are accepted no matter what room. Not the biggest hurdles to pass for that functionality I feel.

 

[jimimac71]

The article photo looks strongly reminiscent of an Amazon Echo Show 8 (albeit with the 'arm' to the monitor portion) with more speaker emphasis. If it functions in a similar niche, the two will compete. The question then becomes which will be more compelling?

Apple's 'walled garden' ecosystem provide slick Apple device inter-operability, whereas competitor products are often more 'open.' I wonder to what extent various users will find the Apple product superior to an Echo Show (our kid has an Echo Show 8, 3rd gen.). I'm guessing it won't have near the 3rd party support the Echo Show (Alexa assistant) does now.

People who aren't in the Apple ecosystem (e.g.: no Mac) may not see much point.

In a nutshell, I wonder if this is going to play out like Apple T.V. vs. Amazon Fire T.V. and Roku. What is this thing going to offer that's better? Guess we'll have to wait and see.

I have lower priced Roku and Fire TV. Roku has the cleanest look and functionality. Don’t care for remote. Volume and mute on the right side.
It can’t independently control a soundbar. ATV and Fire can and have Bluetooth.
The Fire browser is wimpy at best. The remote is okay. The Fire interface is quite annoying. My opinion.
I think the ATV system is clean. The remote is fair.
I don’t believe it is necessary to be in the Apple ecosystem to consider ATV.
Sometimes Siri doesn’t have a clue, just like my iPad predictive text goes all word salad on occasion.
Foolish to remove the Ethernet jack only to add it back for a small fee On ATV.
Roku Ultra has Ethernet at $99.
The perfect ATV is an iPad Pro without the screen. M series chip and 8/256.
Full access to the App Store. Okay, priced like iPad 10.
Bluetooth keyboard and speakers optional. Camera and microphone, just like iPad and bring back the freaking headphone jack.

 

[HowardEv]

See, that’s what most people get wrong. We don’t want a display + a Mac case. What we want is a seamless, minimal all in one desktop. I think that’s what OP meant too.

Wait a second…if most people get that wrong, then your “we” is wrong. Most people want separate display and computer again. Especially now that the display can have built in Smart TV functions, not even need a computer, and the computer can be anything from a phone to a MacBook to a Studio Max, or all three.

 

[wbeasley]

So a decent speaker with a mounting arm to place and charge your iPad... add a keyboard and mouse.
And you get an iMac Lite.

For simple tasks that dont need full MacOS but for user who just want to check emails and calendars and do Facetime and Messages, it sounds like the missing link product that brings a lot of tools together conveniently.

 

[Donoban]

Gods forbid if Tim Apple ever gets Siri to accomplish something more useful than turning on a light or playing a song. Gee, how about self-diagnosis of self-help with various software/hardware issues?

Advanced!

What about a self-repairing feature that runs in the background.

 

[npmacuser5]

Not sure why I would need a screen. One of my other IOS device would do nicely as a screen. Like Ring Security Controller. Use an app, put the controller wherever it fits. Will see what comes out.