According to the latest reports, Apple is working on a new version of the Apple TV that could potentially come with a built-in camera for FaceTime and additional applications. We have been hearing details on the product for a long time, and rumors regarding it have surfaced again. While Apple already has a mechanism in place to use FaceTime on the Apple TV, it requires an iPhone or iPad, which can be used as a webcam for the bigger display.
Apple is working on a new Apple TV model with a FaceTime camera and "gesture-based controls"
As mentioned, Apple is possibly working on a new Apple TV model that will include a camera built into the set-top box, eliminating the need to use a dedicated iPhone or iPad as the webcam. Last year, with the release of tvOS 17, Apple TV users gained the new FaceTime app, which allowed them to make video calls through their television. While FaceTime makes a lot of sense for Apple TV, as it is attached to a bigger display, the company has remained shy about introducing video calling capabilities until last year.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg states that the forthcoming Apple TV model will feature "gesture-based controls," potentially for controlling reactions on FaceTime, as the company could be working on an identical approach as it did with iOS and iPadOS. Gurman did not provide additional details on what the gestures will be used for on the Apple TV and if gestures would be able to control the device on a system level.
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.
In iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS 14, Apple already offers gesture-based controls in FaceTime that allow users to express with animated 3D effects. Henceforth, we can presume that FaceTime on the Apple TV will work similarly, but on a much bigger screen. However, it remains to be seen if the analyst is referring to the same reactions instead of gestures for controlling the app's interface,
Gurman did not highlight when users should expect a new Apple TV and if the device will come with additional improvements, such as a faster processor or any design variations. The company is also working on a new HomePod version, which will house a display for better controls and displaying information. Do you think an Apple TV with a built-in FaceTime camera makes sense? Let us know in the comments.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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