New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Remain 'Ready' to Launch

[MacRumors]

Apple has unveiled nine new products this month, but the wait continues for the next-generation Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini models.

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini have been "ready" since last year, but he reiterated that Apple has held off on releasing them until the more personalized version of Siri and other Apple Intelligence upgrades are released later this year.

Inventory of the Apple TV, HomePod mini, and full-sized HomePod is once again "running low" at Apple's retail stores around the world, according to Gurman, but it is unclear if this means anything since the revamped Siri has yet to debut.

Gurman previously reported that Apple was aiming to release the personalized Siri features in either iOS 26.5 or iOS 27. The first developer beta of iOS 26.5 could be available in late March or early April, so at least some of the Siri upgrades might be just a week or two away, unless they are entirely held back until iOS 27 debuts in June.

Accordingly, if the new Apple TV and HomePod mini models remain tied to the Siri upgrades arriving in iOS 26.5 or iOS 27, then Apple should announce the devices at any point between late March and the end of September this year.

Earlier rumors claimed the next Apple TV would be equipped with the A17 Pro chip, which is the oldest chip that supports Apple Intelligence. The device is also expected to feature Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.

As for the HomePod mini, it is expected to use an Apple Watch's S9 chip or newer, but it is not entirely clear how that chip would be capable enough to support the revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. Other rumored features include the N1 chip, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and a red color option.

The current Apple TV 4K debuted in October 2022, and the HomePod mini was introduced in October 2020, so both devices are due for upgrades.

​

Article Link: New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Remain 'Ready' to Launch

 

[abatabia]

All this hoopla and will they won’t they and they’ll end up being spec bumps.

Color me not excited.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

how's the lawsuits going ?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Lost interest already. Too late, Apple.

Our HomePod mini is now a temp/humidity sensor, and the Apple TV has been relegated to the workout room. Not buying more of this stuff.

 

[lapstags]

A17 pro is too weak need something better

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Do you think they will include a clock, like the Echo Dot?

 

[MayaUser]

"We can now confirm what Apple’s phone roadmap will look like moving forward.Coming in September 2026 will be the

September: iphone 18 pro/Max and the iPhone Fold that will be released in November/December
March 2027: iPhone 18/18e and the iPhone Air 2

 

[B.A.T]

I'm still happy with my first gen 4k unit from 2017 and A10X chip. Granted I'm not a heavy tv user but I'll upgrade to whatever is available when this unit dies.

 

[Tozovac]

No more interest until wireless rechargeable HomePods or HomePod Mini's that are built for outdoors. I mean, come on now Apple.

 

[ChromeAce]

The Apple TV is already vastly overpowered for the software that it runs, so an upgrade is in no way overdue, but necessary for hardware compatibility.

The delay is to ensure cross-connection seamlessness between tvOS, homeOS and the new HomePad, and all will be released together shortly alongside a new version of iSight, a Bluetooth webcam that attaches to your tv for video calls using the Apple TV.

Coming by Christmas 2026 will be the iSight Pro, a wifi security camera that will be the first product in a new line of home automation products. It will be followed by a doorbell product which may or may not be ready for release with the security camera.

The HomePad will have its own camera and speakers built in, but a later software update will allow it to pair wirh HomePods for better sound. Another update is coming allowing HomePods to be used as surround speakers, with up to 10 used for Dolby Atmos on an Apple TV. This feature will only be supported on the new hardware.

 

[satchmo]

Other than the Neo, all of the launched products this year to date, feel like low effort upgrades.
And in some ways, the Neo isn’t really anything ground breaking either, except for it’s price.

I don’t expect new product designs every year, but the HomePod mini hasn’t changed (other than colours), since 2020.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The Apple TV is already vastly overpowered for the software that it runs, so an upgrade is in no way overdue, but necessary for hardware compatibility. The delay is due to ensure cross-connection seamlessness between tvOS, homeOS and the new HomePad, and all will be released together shortly alongside a new version of iSight, a Bluetooth webcam that attaches to your tv for video calls.

Nah, Apple will never release an independent camera again. They'll tell you to use for your phone, like you are currently required.

 

[Lwii2boo]

Binned A17 Pro is not a huge chip boost over the current A15 Apple tv that was released in … 2022 !

Beyond the chip delivering good Apple Intelligence is far from being enough.

If they plan to make the next gen Apple tv reliable and relevant for enthusiasts it needs full Dolby Vision 2 support which will be the new standard for 2027 high-end TVs and years to come. Otherwise this tv box would be a bottleneck for upcoming DV2 content and new TVs.
Dolby is a powerful brand so I think apple will be smart enough to consider it given the expected lifetime of an AppleTV.

Full audio passthrough would be insane but at that point I am convinced Apple doesn’t care and consider lossy Atmos via DD+ enough. At least not for the next gen I would love to be wrong though

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

A17 pro is too weak need something better

Weak or not, who wants to buy a new product (and one that probably won't be upgraded again for another 5 years) with an old chip (and a two generation old chip at that)?

 

[Tim Jobs the 2nd]

The Apple TV is already vastly overpowered for the software that it runs, so an upgrade is in no way overdue, but necessary for hardware compatibility. The delay is to ensure cross-connection seamlessness between tvOS, homeOS and the new HomePad, and all will be released together shortly alongside a new version of iSight, a Bluetooth webcam that attaches to your tv for video calls using the Apple TV. The HomePad will have its own camera and speakers built in, but a later software update will allow it to pair wirh HomePods for better sound. Another update is coming allowing HomePods to be used as surround speakers, with up to 10 used for Dolby Atmos on an Apple TV.

Unless you time traveled from the future or have inside sources, you probably should have mentioned that was all just a guess/prediction by you.

 

[eifelbube]

AppleTV and HomePod Mini held hostage by Siri. Negotiations for a release appear to be stalled.

 

[jonnyb098]

Why on earth do we need a personalized Siri for Apple TV?! Also, it’s probably never gonna ship anyway.

 

[kiranmk2]

All this hoopla and will they won’t they and they’ll end up being spec bumps.

Color me not excited.

And out of date spec-bumps at this rate, too!

 

[TheOldChevy]

Why A17 pro instead of A18 like the Neo? It would be far easier to have a single part for both products.

 

[Koni17]

The Apple TV is already vastly overpowered for the software that it runs, so an upgrade is in no way overdue, but necessary for hardware compatibility.

Yea no. Many enthusiasts are hoping for: AV1/AV2 hardware support, additional Dolby Vision profiles, audio passthrough, and better hardware/cooling because the Apple TV overheats in certain situations.

 

[tcphoto1]

I’ve owned an AppleTV 4K for years, it does what it does and would upgrade for added capabilities. Hell, my smart tv runs AppleTV so why would I buy a new one?

 

[tyranne201]

we heard that with SIRI since 2011

I guess still beta

 

[tyranne201]

I’ve owned an AppleTV 4K for years, it does what it does and would upgrade for added capabilities. Hell, my smart tv runs AppleTV so why would I buy a new one?

I actually bought one recently and returned it because I found useless. Even if I want to watch something my Smart TV delivers everything and has the Apple TV app.

 

[thelion7]

Apple has unveiled nine new products this month, but the wait continues for the next-generation Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini models.

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod mini have been "ready" since last year, but he reiterated that Apple has held off on releasing them until the more personalized version of Siri and other Apple Intelligence upgrades are released later this year.

Inventory of the Apple TV, HomePod mini, and full-sized HomePod is once again "running low" at Apple's retail stores around the world, according to Gurman, but it is unclear if this means anything since the revamped Siri has yet to debut.

Gurman previously reported that Apple was aiming to release the personalized Siri features in either iOS 26.5 or iOS 27. The first developer beta of iOS 26.5 could be available in late March or early April, so at least some of the Siri upgrades might be just a week or two away, unless they are entirely held back until iOS 27 debuts in June.

Accordingly, if the new Apple TV and HomePod mini models remain tied to the Siri upgrades arriving in iOS 26.5 or iOS 27, then Apple should announce the devices at any point between late March and the end of September this year.

Earlier rumors claimed the next Apple TV would be equipped with the A17 Pro chip, which is the oldest chip that supports Apple Intelligence. The device is also expected to feature Apple's N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.

As for the HomePod mini, it is expected to use an Apple Watch's S9 chip or newer, but it is not entirely clear how that chip would be capable enough to support the revamped Siri powered by Apple Intelligence. Other rumored features include the N1 chip, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and a red color option.

The current Apple TV 4K debuted in October 2022, and the HomePod mini was introduced in October 2020, so both devices are due for upgrades.

​

Article Link: New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Remain 'Ready' to Launch

I think its possible for apple to allow LLM siri to work on for the new HomePod mini.

However it will come in one of three ways.

1. Most likely piggy back off of your Apple TV 4K (A17 pro only)

If both the tv and new mini get Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 7 they have the means of strong communication between devices.

Ask Siri a question it gets fired to the TV that does all the LLM work on device and fires it back to the HomePod to reply.

However my 1st gen HomePod mini’s have always been unreliable and adding this into the mix is just another point of failure in my eyes.

2. Make the new mini completely independent which would require a specialist SOC (no re-using Apple Watch chips)

There enough space in the device for a bigger more powerful enough chip for LLMs and power shouldn’t be an issue given it has to be plugged into the mains 24/7.

However, this would be super expensive in comparison and Apple have zero space in the smart speaker market to be jacking up prices.

The HomePod 2 was essentially re-engineered to be cheaper to produce because no one could justify the cost.

3. Have the new HomePod mini rely fully on cloud. No processing on any device apart from pinging the cloud to send questions and receive answers.

Of course this would be a step back on apples privacy commitments.

Yes private cloud compute is a thing but Apple have always praised themselves on only sending complex commands to the cloud and doing basics on device wherever possible.

Yes privacy will be okay but they’ll have to admit they couldn’t keep the on device as much as possible promise.

Essentially all have pros and cons, either being increased cost, admitting they have to step back on privacy commitments for on device processing and the other being further risks to reliability and Apple need to nail Apple Intelligence now, otherwise they might as well give up.

They’ve burnt all their customer goodwill in this area.

 

[555gallardo]

I hate this because Apple’s Siri situation basically put a hold on my plan of having a HomePod mini available in multiple color-coded rooms in my house. They’ve been out of stock in here since Black Friday and now multiple retailers mark them as discontinued.