Apple’s technology products are not so visible in the smart-home space, but the company plans to change that. A report from Bloomberg claims the company is working on a new device that will perform various functions.
The company plans to combine an Apple TV set-top box with a HomePod speaker. The device will also include other smart features like a video-conferencing camera. The publication cited unidentified people familiar with the matter.
With the new device, users would be able to stream music and video through the set-top box, listen to audio via the speaker functionality with Siri built-inside, and even make video calls thanks to the added camera.
Apple has to date, not yet launched such an all-in-one gadget, but the said device could change that. It will also help the company ramp up its presence in the smart-home space, where its presence has not been felt thus far.
Apple is also said to be mulling a launch of a dedicated high-end speaker that will include a touch screen. The said speaker will compete with alternatives from Google and Amazon. The speaker might combine an iPad and a HomePod speaker and have a camera for video conferencing purposes.
The two new devices are under early development, however. As such, t remains to be seen whether these devices would launch to the market, if ever. And if they ever will, the jury is out on what other additional features could be added or removed.
Apple discontinued the first and its only high-end Smart Speaker, the original HomePod, in March. According to research firm Strategy Analytics, Apple wrapped 2020 with less than 10 percent of the smart speaker market.
With only one smart speaker remaining, the HomePod mini, the company could revamp its efforts to gain more market share in the space.
The company’s set-top box, Apple TV 4K, on the other hand, was last refreshed in 2017, and it’s certainly prime time for a refresh.
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