The well connected Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has some interesting news about two future Apple products that could help the company make more of an impact in the TV streaming device and smart speaker markets.
According to a 12 April 2021 Bloomberg report, there are two exciting new products currently being developed by Apple.
The first product will fuse the HomePod and Apple TV with a camera that could be used for video conferencing via the TV screen.
A second product – a high-end speaker with a touch screen – will combine an iPad with a HomePod speaker and a camera mounted on a robotic arm that could follow the user around the room during a video chat.
Launch date
If you were hoping that this could be the new Apple TV expected to be launching soon then prepare to be disappointed. The Bloomberg report indicates that these projects are currently in the concept stage and it could be a few more years before they become a reality. Read our round up of HomePod with screen rumours.
The competition
These new products – if they ever make it past the prototype stage – could help Apple compete with the likes of Google and Amazon in these markets. Here’s a run down of some of the competition and what they are doing:
Roku Streambar combines a speaker with a Roku player for £129.99/$129.99. Buy one here.
Amazon Fire TV Cube combines an Alexa-powered smart speaker with a TV streaming box. It costs £109.99/$119. Buy one here (UK) and here (US).
Echo Show combines a display with Amazon’s speaker. The newest model (Echo Show 10) features a screen that moves automatically so you can always see it. Echo Show 10 costs £239.99/$249.99. Buy one here (UK) and here (US).
Facebook’s Portal (£169/$179) has a screen and camera for video calling and Alexa built in. There’s also a version that plugs into a TV screen (£149/$158). Buy them here.
Author: Karen Haslam, Editor
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld two decades ago.
Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.