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New HomePod Expected Alongside Updated HomePod Mini and Apple TV
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switz
Contributor
I think we have four actual Apple TV devices. They will soon be in a dumpster somewhere. We use Roku devices and Apple TV is a choice on the menu. No need for another device sucking up watts for nothing and monitoring our lives.
The delay in the new units is getting the surveillance gear operating correctly for the NSA monitoring....
Our two first generation Home Pod speakers (Black and White for identity name) are light years more quality than the subsequent generations in terms of sound, which is, after all, the main purpose of a speaker. Too bad they must also listen to select the music desired to be heard and also pass on what is happening in the home. Our two are in the living room on a power device that kills all power when we actually want them "OFF" and can be sure they are off.
The delay in the new units is getting the surveillance gear operating correctly for the NSA monitoring....
Our two first generation Home Pod speakers (Black and White for identity name) are light years more quality than the subsequent generations in terms of sound, which is, after all, the main purpose of a speaker. Too bad they must also listen to select the music desired to be heard and also pass on what is happening in the home. Our two are in the living room on a power device that kills all power when we actually want them "OFF" and can be sure they are off.
Last edited:
3 years later still reading the same article.
iFunk
macrumors regular
Are enthusiasts excited about this to make a purchase or because of investments in Apple? e.g. hoping for increased sales?
I am just curious. I assume people like me, who are possibly interested in purchasing a new ATV are just ready for something new. I say this because it is a fairly solid price (doesn't break the bank)... but I am also curious what a new ATV would really bring to the forefront in terms of changes. With Apple's track record, my assumption is spec bump with a spin on the all new Siri and maybe "more powerful at gaming."
I've used my iPhone with one of our ATVs to make a FaceTime call. I've always thought that was pretty cool. I've wondered will Apple launch an ATV with a camera? I'd love an accessory that wirelessly charges on the ATV but that you can move to other parts of the room if the ATV is simply too far away from where the people are sitting. e.g. MagSafe charging to the ATV ... grab it and move it closer to say a couch. My guess is something like this isn't anytime soon and Apple will probably say that is what an iPhone/iPad is for.
What else besides software does anyone else think will be added in terms of new features or what are you hoping for?
Personally, I'd love for Nintendo to add their online games via an app. I know it will probably never happen but would be cool to sync the Pro controller and play. I do have access to play via the Switch but that is in the man cave / detached garage. I might play online some via our living room. My guess is this wouldn't even require new hardware. I've read you can do this with various apps from the App Store but I never went down that route.
Just my 2 cents. I do love our ATVs in our house. We have 4 of them including the detached garage and we use them daily!
I am just curious. I assume people like me, who are possibly interested in purchasing a new ATV are just ready for something new. I say this because it is a fairly solid price (doesn't break the bank)... but I am also curious what a new ATV would really bring to the forefront in terms of changes. With Apple's track record, my assumption is spec bump with a spin on the all new Siri and maybe "more powerful at gaming."
I've used my iPhone with one of our ATVs to make a FaceTime call. I've always thought that was pretty cool. I've wondered will Apple launch an ATV with a camera? I'd love an accessory that wirelessly charges on the ATV but that you can move to other parts of the room if the ATV is simply too far away from where the people are sitting. e.g. MagSafe charging to the ATV ... grab it and move it closer to say a couch. My guess is something like this isn't anytime soon and Apple will probably say that is what an iPhone/iPad is for.
What else besides software does anyone else think will be added in terms of new features or what are you hoping for?
Personally, I'd love for Nintendo to add their online games via an app. I know it will probably never happen but would be cool to sync the Pro controller and play. I do have access to play via the Switch but that is in the man cave / detached garage. I might play online some via our living room. My guess is this wouldn't even require new hardware. I've read you can do this with various apps from the App Store but I never went down that route.
Just my 2 cents. I do love our ATVs in our house. We have 4 of them including the detached garage and we use them daily!
Since the current full-sized Homepod is using an Apple Watch chip (S7) then it would need a HUGE chip upgrade to be able to use Apple Intelligence (lowest chip that supports it is the A17 Pro).
So, I'm a little bit skeptical whether these rumours are true. It may be possible that a new Homepod is actually coming but without Apple Intelligence.
So, I'm a little bit skeptical whether these rumours are true. It may be possible that a new Homepod is actually coming but without Apple Intelligence.
I bought a HomePod and a HomePod Mini once, and I'll never make the same mistake again. The sound quality is very average, and the device is poorly adapted to current streaming services. Some electronics in the large HomePod burned out (as is common with this model), and the Mini ended up at the bottom of a drawer.
Pinterra
macrumors member
I'm the idiot who thinks they're in the market for a HomePod Mini. I figured, oh, I'll wait for the next one. I've been waiting for the next one for two years. Kind of a shame these are just sitting in a warehouse somewhere. I'd rather use one with current Siri and then get a massive upgrade down the line.
Well, at least it sounds as if they have not 'forgotten' the HomePod which is a relief. The test will be if and when these updates arrive. Not really interested in a Siri upgrade, it does sufficient for my purposes today (although I do wish it understood us better when asked to spell words...). I am more interested in Apple preserving one of the best sounding standalone powered speakers for the money albeit being severely crippled by only allowing delivery via compressed AAC over AirPlay 2.... But I am shouting into the void here, I think.
WarmWinterHat
Suspended
Same. We have a HomePod Mini, and it's been relegated to being a temp/humidity monitor for the office and never gets used otherwise.
Terrible idea for a mixed iPhone/Android household like ours, and the lack of regular BT streaming, or even a simple AUX input, is ridiculous.
SactoGuy18
macrumors 603
Additional bluetooth channels so I use both my smart trainer and heart rate monitor
2024 called. They want their product release rumor back. This is becoming so tiresome.
211
macrumors 6502
If Apple want to release the updated Apple TV 4K, HomePod and HomePod mini in one go, this would be a good time to make them all work together for surround sound. Throw in a subwoofer, and Apple would finally sell loads on these. But Apple won’t do this for some reason
DocMultimedia
macrumors 68030
We've now heard this for three years. Until there is an actual rumor (not a paid Gurman pile), stop teasing us with posts like this.
Absolutely nothing is happening until 2027 or later.
Absolutely nothing is happening until 2027 or later.
Tofy79
macrumors newbie
For the God's sake, when the new APPLE TV will be released, I am waiting for more than three years now!!!😕
Why do people want new Apple TV? The only reason I’m thinking about is that it might be a good retro game emulator!
Woodcrest64
macrumors 65816
Please Apple, let us put 4 Home Pods together for true surround sound with Apple TV ❤️ Not everyone wants this but I do. lol.
I have a dedicated surround system but I'd love to have 4 of these in my living room for music and watching the odd show in there when my kids kick me out of the theatre room.
I have a dedicated surround system but I'd love to have 4 of these in my living room for music and watching the odd show in there when my kids kick me out of the theatre room.
it already is an EXCELLENT retro gaming emulator.. it just lacks persistent storage for saving on device, but that doesn't require new software to fix
I still only use the existing Siri to send a text while I’m driving. Haven’t found a use for it at all. Can't get excited by the thought of a new one. Everyone I know, young and old, still feels odd talking to technology. Maybe it’s a UK thing.
ipedro
macrumors 604
Some of the HomePod minis are completely sold out at stores across Toronto and the region. Back in stock: May 8. That's a pretty specific date that is far off enough that it has to be the new model. I doubt they're manufacturing more of the old model to bring it back in stock.
Even the 1st gen. HomePod (supposedly) does most of the speak recognition on-device and that one used an A8 which has no NPU and a very dated GPU. Starting with the S9, the S-series SoC includes a small NPU. My Ultra 2 has a much faster Siri because the speech recognition and basic commands run on-device (easy to verify because unfortunately the LTE modem is still not very good).
It seems likely Apple has a new low-power, S-class SoC in the works that can run (bigger) small models locally (the watch and HomePods are always going to "phone home" most requests anyway). The jump from 7nm to N3P could enable either larger or more cores and the last-gen GPU and NPU core are very capable of inferencing local neural networks.
...or they could stick a full-fat SoC in the HomePod. The Studio Display does have a faster SoC than the Neo!