New Apple TV, HomePod Mini, and More Reportedly 'Coming Soon' With These New Features

[MacRumors]

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today outlined his expectations for Apple's event on Tuesday, September 9, with his report offering in-depth details about the iPhone 17 series, a trio of new Apple Watch models, and third-generation AirPods Pro.

The final section of his report listed even more products that are "also coming soon," including updated versions of the Apple TV, HomePod mini, AirTag, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro. Across his previous reports, he said that all five of those devices would be updated later this year, but it is unclear if any of them will debut at the iPhone event.

It is unlikely that all five of the devices will be announced next week, as that would be too many new products at once, but perhaps one or two of them will debut. There is precedent for Apple TV and HomePod mini announcements during iPhone events, and a new AirTag would also be a timely announcement, given it is an iPhone accessory. As for the iPad Pro and Vision Pro, it is more likely that those devices will be updated in October.

Alternatively, any of the devices could be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom website only, especially if updates are only minor.

The following new features and changes are expected for each device, according to a combination of Gurman's report today and previous rumors:

• Apple TV: A faster A17 Pro chip that will support next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, and an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model.
• HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like Red.
• AirTag: Up to 3× longer item tracking range vs. current AirTag, a more tamper-proof speaker, and "very low" battery life alerts.
• iPad Pro: M5 chip and two front cameras, allowing for photos and video calls in both portrait and landscape orientations.
• Vision Pro: A faster M4 chip or M5 chip, a new head strap that improves comfort, and potentially a Space Black color option.

Stay tuned for coverage of Apple's announcements next week.

Article Link: New Apple TV, HomePod Mini, and More Reportedly 'Coming Soon' With These New Features

 

[sputnikv]

a homepod powered by apple intelligence is as good as a homepod left unplugged

 

[attohs]

I think it is more likely the new Apple TV will return to having a USB-C port, which an external camera can plug into and then be far more easy to place for those who want that option.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I'm more excited for the Homepod mini and Apple TV than I am for the next version of the bestest ever!1!!11!!! iteration of the iPhone.

a homepod powered by apple intelligence is as good as a homepod left unplugged

Trust me, it can't be worse than it already is.

 

[BMox81]

Not confident but I'd absolutely be delighted if a new ATV was announced next week.

 

[Thisismattwade]

We've got a 2018 11" iPad Pro with a shattered screen. (It still works perfectly, surprisingly!) I'm more eager to get an M5 Pro whenever it drops than I am to new iPhone to replace my 13 Pro, at least judging by rumors.

If the M5 lasts as long as the 2018 has, I'll be a happy camper.

 

[vertsix]

HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence,

How is this going to be possible if the S9 chip has 1GB RAM? Will it be using Private Cloud Computer for everything? Does this mean the updated Siri is coming to Apple Watch too?

 

[Kylo83]

Everything is always just chip upgrades

 

[Will Co]

ATV needs to provide higher audio bandwidth, a non-borked audio transcoding capability and ideally an optical output port. Give people who have a really good HiFi in their lounge, where their ATV is situated, the option to stream the really high quality audio streams available from Apple Music.

 

[AppleMad98004]

Interesting so new HomePod, AppleTV requirement for running the new AI Siri. Of course Apple wants to use it to spur new hardware sales

 

[Paddle1]

A new Apple TV has been "coming soon" for quite some time now.

 

[macmyworld]

ATV needs to provide higher audio bandwidth, a non-borked audio transcoding capability and ideally an optical output port. Give people who have a really good HiFi in their lounge, where their ATV is situated, the option to stream the really high quality audio streams available from Apple Music.

This is a brilliant idea. Hope they do it.

 

[Paddle1]

Interesting so new HomePod, AppleTV requirement for running the new AI Siri. Of course Apple wants to use it to spur new hardware sales

AI Siri would have to exist first for them to do that.

 

[TVreporter]

Tim wouldn’t be sly enough to launch an updated TVOs that will only work with the new Apple TV model and brick current models, now would he?

 

[minik]

Speaking on AppleTV, I had a Genius appointment yesterday. The premise was my AppleTV 4K (current gen) booted to Recovery Mode with white flashing LED light at the middle of the night. It was my primary home hub. Since the Siri Remote didn't work, I attempted to restore it twice (with my iPhone) but failed. It's 15 months beyond the first year warranty.

According to the Mac Genius, she told me it's a known issue and replaced the unit at no cost but had to order one for me. I wasn't aware of this know issue nor it's on the exchange program.

 

[NordicNed]

W-w-wait...You mean this year's revamped version of Siri, right?

 

[Kay_Ess]

Please, please, please let the AppleTV have audio bitstreaming. Thanks.

 

[hinchesk]

I think it is more likely the new Apple TV will return to having a USB-C port, which an external camera can plug into and then be far more easy to place for those who want that option.

That’s what should happen, or a built-in cam, but we’ve all seen this movie before. FaceTime on Apple TV is great except for the extra steps to setup your phone camera.

How long did it take them to turn iPhone into a mic that could be used for Karaoke on Apple TV?

 

[ipedro]

Hoping an Apple TV with an Apple Intelligence compatible chip will be able to power legacy HomePods. Asking people to replace all of their home speakers is going to leave Apple's established base of their smart home users running on dumb Siri for years to come, ruining Apple's reputation in the space, even if they fix Siri next year. Asking people to buy a central hub in their home to upgrade Siri across their existing smart home is reasonable and would lead to Apple TV sales.

 

[kiranmk2]

A new Apple TV has been "coming soon" for quite some time now.

And as with the 4th gen and 2nd gen 4K model, it sounds like they are finally launching the model that was planned previously, complete with it's now older chip. Why not give this an A18 chip? Sure these must cost Apple less that the A17 Pro, or are they expecting that the iPad Mini and Apple TV 4K will sell so few units that they can simply use up their old pile of A17 Pro chips that are lying around...

Hoping an Apple TV with an Apple Intelligence compatible chip will be able to power legacy HomePods. Asking people to replace all of their home speakers is going to leave Apple's established base of their smart home users running on dumb Siri for years to come, ruining Apple's reputation in the space, even if they fix Siri next year. Asking people to buy a central hub in their home to upgrade Siri across their existing smart home is reasonable and would lead to Apple TV sales.

I think that's going to be the only way any Homepod gets Appled Intelligence - the S9 chip is in no way powerful enought to run the new Siri.

 

[Yourbigpalal83]

Outside of a new chip and a USB C port to add a webcam to it so you dont have to use that lame workaround with the iphones to make a facetime call on the Apple TV, i dont know what else you can do with it!

 

[cdsapplefan]

Everything is always just chip upgrades

That’s why with certain Apple products you have to upgrade every 3-4 years to get more than chip upgrades. Don’t upgrade every year.

 

[bodonnell202]

HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, an Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a newer Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like Red.

Unless the S11 SiP is getting a Wi-Fi chip that supports Wi-Fi 6E or 7 (seems unlikely from a power efficiency perspective for use in the Apple Watch) I'm not sure how this rumor can be true. The S9 and S10 chips only support Wi-Fi 4.

 

[ElBerserko]

ATV needs to provide higher audio bandwidth, a non-borked audio transcoding capability and ideally an optical output port. Give people who have a really good HiFi in their lounge, where their ATV is situated, the option to stream the really high quality audio streams available from Apple Music.

If you want high bandwidth audio, optical is not what you want to be using.

 

[qbertrules]

hi - what exactly does coming soon mean? Does this mean we expect them to announce on sept 9 -- or later in an october event? which of the 5 do we expect to be in this month?