Apple is said to be exploring the idea of an all-new smart home product, that would combine an Apple TV set-top box with a HomePod speaker and include a camera for FaceTime video calls, according to a new report from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.
According to Gurman, the new device, which is touted as “Apple’s most ambitious smart-home hardware offering to date,” would include the standard Apple TV functions, such as watching video and gaming, with the HomePod speakers playing sound and acting as a microphone for Siri requests FaceTime video calls.
It is also said that Apple is considering a a high-end speaker with an iPad that would feature a robotic arm that could move to follow a user around a room, similar to Amazon’s latest Echo Show, for FaceTime video calls.
The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is also mulling the launch of a high-end speaker with a touch screen to better compete with market leaders Google and Amazon.com Inc., the people said. Such a device would combine an iPad with a HomePod speaker and also include a camera for video chat. Apple has explored connecting the iPad to the speaker with a robotic arm that can move to follow a user around a room, similar to Amazon’s latest Echo Show gadget.
Development of both products is said to be in the early stages, and the company could decide to launch neither or change key features.
Image: Philip Goolkasian
Gurman previously suggested Apple has been working, in some capacity, on new speakers, presumably new HomePods, with screens and cameras after it was confirmed that the iPhone maker was discontinuing the original HomePod from sale.
Image: Philip Goolkasian
Check out Philip Goolkasian on Behance to see more concepts.