Apple TV will have built-in camera for FaceTime: report

Apple is planning to get into the smart home space, and as part of that plan, it may launch an Apple TV set-top box with a built-in camera, according to a new report. Additionally, the company is said to be developing a “lightweight smart display” that can interface with charging stations. Last week, reports surfaced that Apple was also developing two robotic devices — one that would sit on a table and move the display, and another that would follow the user.

Follow the boot prompts communication Apple has long planned to enter three new categories, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. It has entered the mixed reality headset category with the launch of the Vision Pro, and the now-cancelled Apple Car could be its entry into the electric car category. The third category, smart home, remains the most interesting as the Cupertino-based tech giant plans to launch a variety of smart appliances in the near future.

Gurman highlighted two devices in particular in his newsletter. The first one is an upgrade to the existing Apple TV set-top box for smart TVs. According to reports, the phone will be equipped with a built-in camera. The camera will allow video conferencing via FaceTime and offer gesture-based control. The technology is also said to be integrated with the iPhone and Vision Pro, although it’s unclear how it will differ from the FaceTime app already on the device. It’s also believed that having a camera on the set-top box would allow Apple to integrate its other smart devices into it and provide diverse functionality.

The second device is reportedly a lightweight smart display. “Such a device could shuttle from room to room as needed and connect to charging hubs around the house,” Gurman said. The description suggests its primary function may be a smart home control through which users can control everything other devices. The charging hub also gives the impression that it could be used as a backup entertainment system, similar to Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show.

Gurman emphasized that Apple has begun small-scale test production of smart displays, but also emphasized that there is no guarantee that the technology giant will move forward with its plans and bring these devices to market. It’s unclear how long it might take the company to launch them.