A future version of the Apple TV set-top box could sport a built-in camera for FaceTime and other video calling apps, according to a new report from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
Then there’s the smart home segment, where Apple still has grand ambitions. It has discussed automating household functions and offering a revamped Apple TV set-top box with a built-in camera for FaceTime videoconferencing and gesture-based controls. And the technology will all work seamlessly with both the iPhone and Vision Pro.
Apple’s tvOS 17, released last year, added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, which allows users to make and receive video calls via the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. A built-in camera for the Apple TV would allow users to make calls without relying on an external device.
Gurman‘s comments came in his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said an Apple TV with a camera would support “gesture-based controls,” but he did not provide any additional details.
In other home-related news, Gurman said Apple has also considered a “lightweight smart display” that could be used around the house.
One piece of the strategy is a lightweight smart display — something akin to a low-end iPad. Such a device could be shuttled from room to room as needed and hooked into charging hubs stationed around the house. Apple has started small-scale test production of the screens for this product, but hasn’t made a decision on whether to move forward.
It is unclear when these devices might be released.