Gurman: Apple TV and HomePod could be merged into one device

By Joe Wituschek
published

Tvos 15 Homepod Mini Siri Control
Tvos 15 Homepod Mini Siri Control (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

  • Apple is still working on an Apple TV/HomePod hybrid.
  • The report comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his "Power On" newsletter.
  • Gurman says the company is working on a device that would merge the Apple TV, HomePod, and FaceTime camera.

Apple might be working on the ultimate Frankenstein of an Apple product.

In the latest issue of Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter at Bloomberg, the journalist said that the company is working on a hybrid device for the home that would combine an Apple TV, HomePod, and FaceTime camera.

In addition, Gurman said that Apple is not likely to be bringing back the full-size HomePod but leaning on this new device to serve as the center of the home with the HomePod mini distributed around the rest of the house.

Q: Do you think a new HomePod or home device is still coming?A: I absolutely do think a new HomePod is coming — specifically, a device that combines a HomePod, Apple TV and FaceTime camera. I don't think a big stand-alone HomePod is still in development, but perhaps a new HomePod mini is coming. In any case, the combination product will probably be at the center of Apple's approach, with HomePod minis surrounding that throughout the home.

Such a device could be similar in function to the Nest Hub that Google currently offers. Or, if we really want to get crazy, it could be a true Apple...TV. Like, an actual television. If you want to center the smart home around something, that's what you should really do, right?

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HomePod mini


Bottom line: Apple is preaching to the choir with this one, a tremendous speaker for its price and size, but only for those who are already invested in Apple's ecosystem of products and services.

Joe Wituschek
Joe Wituschek
Contributor

Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.

1 Comment
  • I've always thought an Apple TV in a soundbar configuration with HomePod chops would make a lot of sense. Give it the option of connecting remote HomePod minis, assuming nothing bigger is coming back, for side or rear channels and it would be a neat setup. Add in a Facetime camera, with Center Stage and you have a great family room VTC setup for family visits. We've done that before with family spread across the country for special events, Christmas, birthdays, including new grandkids and such.