Apple is planning to enter the smart home space and could launch an Apple TV set-top box with a built-in camera as part of those plans, according to a new report. In addition, the company is said to be working on a “lightweight smart display” that can connect to charging stations. Last week it was reported that Apple was working on two robotic devices. One sits on the table and can move the display, the other follows the user’s movements.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gorman in the Power On newsletter, Apple has been planning to introduce three new categories for some time. The launch of the Vision Pro marks the company’s entry into the mixed reality headset category, and the now-discontinued Apple Car could be its entry into the electric vehicle category. The third category, smart home, remains the most interesting as the Cupertino tech giant plans to introduce a range of smart home devices in the near future.
Garman specifically highlighted two devices in its newsletter. The first is an upgrade to the existing Apple TV set-top box for smart TVs. It is reported that it will have an internal camera. The camera enables video conferencing via FaceTime and offers gesture-based controls. The technology is also said to be built into the iPhone and Vision Pro, but it’s unclear how it differs from the FaceTime app currently on those devices. It is also believed that adding a camera to the set-top box could allow Apple to integrate other smart devices into the set-top box and offer a wider range of features.
The second device is said to be a lightweight smart display. “Such devices can be moved from room to room as needed and plugged into charging stations throughout the home,” Garman said. From the description, its main feature is smart home control, which allows users to control all other devices. The charging hub gives the impression that it can also be used as a standby entertainment system, like the Google Nest Hub or the Amazon Echo Show.
Garmin confirmed that Apple has begun small-scale test production of the smart displays, but also stressed that there is no guarantee that the tech giant will follow through on its plans and bring the device to market. It’s also unclear how long it will take the company to bring them to market.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
