New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Launching This Year With One Thing in Common

[MacRumors]

It was recently reported that new Apple TV and new HomePod mini models will launch this year, and the devices are expected to have one thing in common.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last month reported that the new Apple TV and the new HomePod mini will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. Gurman said the chip supports Wi-Fi 6E, so that could end up being a key upgrade for both devices. Wi-Fi 6E extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band, enabling faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference with a compatible router.

The current Apple TV from October 2022 supports Wi-Fi 6, and the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E seems likely. It is unclear if the Wi-Fi 6E capability will be enabled in the next HomePod mini, however, as Apple has generally kept its HomePod speakers on older Wi-Fi versions. For example, the current HomePod mini supports outdated Wi-Fi 4.

Unsurprisingly, the next Apple TV is also expected to be equipped with a newer A-series chip for faster performance. The current Apple TV is equipped with the A15 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 13 models in 2021. Apple has released several newer A-series chips since then, including the A16 Bionic, A17 Pro, A18, and A18 Pro.

The next Apple TV could have lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next model could have a sub-$100 starting price. In the U.S., the current Apple TV is available with 64GB or 128GB of storage for $129 and $149, respectively.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next Apple TV, but Gurman said Apple has considered adding a built-in camera to a future model. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls by using the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.

As for the HomePod mini, likely upgrades for the next model include a newer "S" chip, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience, and fresh color options. The current HomePod mini was released in November 2020 and uses the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip.

In addition to a new HomePod mini, Apple reportedly plans to release an all-new smart home hub at some point this year. The hub is expected to feature around a six-inch display that can be mounted on a wall, or attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, so the device could be similar to the HomePod mini in some ways.

Article Link: New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Launching This Year With One Thing in Common

 

[DigitalAR]

The only way they release one of these under $99 is if it benefits the Apple Corporation more so than the customers.

Kinda like how 4K TVs can be found for less than $178. These companies make way more money from you once the tech is inside your home.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not sure how they will gimp the Apple TV to get the price even lower, but I never underestimate Tim's miserly ways

With the current versions, restricting the Ethernet port to a totally useless (but more expensive of course) higher storage tier was really something

 

[ralph_sws]

why are you lying? 6Ghz does not give faster speed.

 

[JeffPerrin]

Scratching my head on this one. The only new "feature" rumored is a FaceTime camera? 'Cha, right! <Wayne's World speak> Not likely since this would require specific user placement of the ATV. A USB port with support for eternal webcams would be more appropriate.

IMO, if Apple is not going to court AAA game houses into supporting a full-fledged ATV gaming system (ie. a "pro" model ATV), they should just drop the price to help promote sales and extend the reach of the Apple ecosystem.

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

 

[burgman]

Another thing in common is I won't be purchasing either. Amazon fire stick 4k series does everything I want in a streaming device, including 6E, at a fraction of cost. My 3 Apple TV 4K's are gathering dust. Microsoft Game Pass on Firesticks was the final nail.

 

[burgman]

why are you lying? 6Ghz does not give faster speed

6E uses a less congested frequency band and ultra-wide data channels that's where the speed increase comes from.

 

[jml12286]

Not sure how they will gimp the Apple TV to get the price even lower, but I never underestimate Tim's miserly ways

With the current versions, restricting the Ethernet port to a totally useless (but more expensive of course) higher storage tier was really something

Was just browsing as its been a while, but the $20 price jump from the $129.99 64gb non ethernet to $149.99 128gb + ethernet doesn't too terrible compared to other Apple tiers. Still odd they couldn't just have ethernet on the 64GB version.....
If they could make it sub $99, I'd imagine it would gain better traction

I'd be curious to know if anyone has actually filled up one of the 64gb ATV units and been like " I need more space!"

 

[turbineseaplane]

Another thing in common is I won't be purchasing either. Amazon fire stick 4k series does everything I want in a streaming device at a fraction of cost. My 3 Apple TV 4K's are gathering dust. Microsoft Game Pass on Firesticks was the final nail.

I've had a similar revelation after setting up some Google CC 4K dongles for relatives over the holidays

Popping on a 3rd party launcher (Projectivity) and dialing the whole interface down to just the 3 or 4 apps they need and fully customizing away anything else ... and remapping the remote buttons ..

It was all so refreshing and showed me how stagnant ATV has become and of course how restrictive Apple is.
It's so frustrating

I really don't think I'd buy another ATV right now given what they are and how much they cost

 

[turbineseaplane]

Was just browsing as its been a while, but the $20 price jump from the $129.99 64gb non ethernet to $149.99 128gb + ethernet doesn't too terrible compared to other Apple tiers.

The problem is that it's all fake to make more money off people

There is flat out zero reason to even have a 2nd model --- other than price tiering

 

[Apple_Robert]

why are you lying? 6Ghz does not give faster speed.

Your post is very rude, wrong, and you owe the writer an apology.

2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz vs. 6 GHz: What's the Difference? - Intel

We examine the differences between 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequencies and which is best suited to different scenarios.

www.intel.com

 

[carniesandrubes]

The problem is that it's all fake to make more money off people

There is flat out zero reason to even have a 2nd model --- other than price tiering

I won't be surprised if the ethernet port is no longer an option on this year's version. Those of us who use them are a dying breed.

 

[Kay_Ess]

I won't be surprised if the ethernet port is no longer an option on this year's version. Those of us who use them are a dying breed.

Those that use the Gb port download their files instead of renting them from Apple. So could make sense to remove it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Those that use the Gb port download their files instead of renting them from Apple. So could make sense to remove it.

I disagree

I live in a very wifi congested building and things all work better here with Ethernet

 

[Razer(x)]

I was about to get a HomePod mini today, not so sure now

 

[Pierre_Ranger]

so now it's this year. last time it was next year.

it's gonna be next week tomorrow I guess

 

[Heelpir8]

so now it's this year. last time it was next year.

Makes sense to me if last time was in 2024.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple will end up with the A17 Pro (binned version) on the new Apple TV.

 

[Pierre_Ranger]

why are you lying? 6Ghz does not give faster speed.

yes, it does

 

[Pierre_Ranger]

Makes sense to me if last time was in 2024.

no, they were talking about 2026

 

[philpalmiero]

Apple should just include a USB port with support for an external camera. Easy-peasy.

 

[npmacuser5]

Apple build a fully AI-functional home hub and let the speakers be speakers. I do not need to spend the costs and software aggravation on every device.

 

[npmacuser5]

Apple should just include a USB port with support for an external camera. Easy-peasy.

POE!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Unfortunately when the HomePod launched initially, it only allowed Apple services and was about £350. The Apple TV box had been out a few years and the rumours were saying it was due to be updated at the point I needed a new smartbox for my TV, but it didn't come soon enough. I ended up investing in alternatives despite having other Apple products, so the boat sailed on these two for me.

 

[Student of Life]

Im kinda curious how the new S chip will improve the sound on the mini, will new drivers be added as well? The temperature and humidity reader are so helpful on the mini.