Apple is reportedly working on a range of new devices for the smart home market, including new displays and a faster Apple TV set-top box.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg, one of these devices is a wall-mounted device that functions like a low-end iPad and is designed to control HomeKit and handle FaceTime calls.
This device, which is said to be “essentially a low-end iPad”, is expected to be the starting point for Apple’s expansion into the smart home market.
The design of this device is said to allow it to be mounted on walls or elsewhere for easy access, positioning it as more of a home gadget than a regular iPad.
This device can control things like thermostats and lights, show video and handle FaceTime chats, which are the features that make this device a smart home hub. The report also states that Apple has considered the idea of creating smart home displays that are larger than traditional iPads, but details on these efforts remain unclear.
These products have faced development delays and are not expected to be released until next year at the earliest. The report mentions that these delays are due to the challenges posed by the pandemic on the supply chain and the difficulty in finding the right components for the devices.
In addition to the smart home displays, Apple is also said to be working on an upgraded version of the Apple TV. The new model is expected to feature an upgraded processor inside but retain the same design as the current model. It’s expected to be released in the first half of 2024.
Apple is also continuing to work on a product that combines the Apple TV, a HomePod, and a FaceTime camera into a single device. This project has “suffered setbacks”, according to Bloomberg, but the work is “still ongoing.” Apple had hoped to release it this year, but “timing has slipped.” The report mentions that the idea behind this product is to create a single device that can handle multiple functions, such as streaming TV, playing music, and making video calls, to make it more convenient for users.
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