Hot topics

Apple TV with a Camera May Enable Advanced Air Gestures for Controls

Connect FaceTime iPhone Apple TV 2
© Apple

Read in other languages:

Before the Vision Pro headset was even launched, Apple has already been rumored to be working on a future version of its Apple TV set-top box that has built-in cameras and sensors. This is iterated in the latest report and further sheds light on the new features of the device.

FaceTime-ready Apple TV

In the latest Power On newsletter of Mark Gurman, the leaker described this next-gen Apple TV equipped with a camera and sensors that support in-air gesture-based control functions, removing the need for a remote controller for input and navigation.

With an added camera, it will add FaceTime calls without the use of an iPhone or iPad as an external webcam for compatible Apple TV models. Essentially, the external webcam feature was first introduced in iOS 17 and tvOS 17 which also comes with FaceTime reactions that use predefined gestures to generate certain effects such as thumbs up or down during video calls.

Is Apple finally bringing desktop mode to the iPhone?

But what's more interesting is that the journalist talked of the Apple TV with a camera working “seamlessly” with an iPhone and Vision Pro. It's unclear what Gurman means by this part, but it might well refer to extending the interface of an iPhone or Vision Pro headset into the TV. If it pans out, it will likely mimic a desktop mode akin to Samsung's DeX or the upcoming Android feature that Google plans to debut in Android 15.

Apple's TV to support Vision Pro gestures
Apple shows how Vision Pro's hand-tracking features are going to work on Apple TV, iPad, and MacBook. / © Patently Apple

This is not the first time that an Apple TV with a camera has been mentioned. Back last year, Apple was spotted filing a patent to the US Patent and Trademark Office that relates to using an Apple Watch as an extra sensor to enable gesture-based controls paired with an Apple TV. But since then, we haven't heard any clues that this technology has progressed. With that, an Apple TV with a camera is more plausible to arrive first.

In addition to an upgraded Apple TV, the Cupertino tech giant has been rumored to launch a HomePod with an iPad-like integrated touchscreen while an earlier concept of the Apple smart speaker even boasts a front-facing camera. The speaker is dubbed the HomePod 3 and is expected to be released in 2024.

What are your thoughts on an Apple TV with a camera? Do you think it will create privacy concerns for users? We want to hear your answers in the comments.

Source: Bloomberg

  Editor's choice Best smart home control center Best price-performance ratio Best sound Best sound supplement Best display
Product
Product image Amazon Echo Dot (5. Gen) 2022 Product Image Amazon Echo Hub Product Image Amazon Echo (4.Gen) Product Image Amazon Echo Studio Product Image Amazon Echo Sub Product Image Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd. Gen) Product Image
Review
Review: Amazon Echo Dot (5. Gen) 2022
Review: Amazon Echo Hub
Not yet tested
Review: Amazon Echo Studio
Not yet tested
Not yet tested
Price Compariosn
nextpit receives a commission for purchases made via the marked links. This has no influence on the editorial content and there are no costs for you. You can find out more about how we make money on our transparency page.
Go to comment (0)
Jade Bryan

Jade Bryan
Junior Editor

I still remember how amazed I was when I first got hold of the Nokia 3210 back when I was a kid, and it was during that time I developed my love for technology, particularly for mobile phones. I started sharing my knowledge through writing in different blogs and forums back in Nokia Nseries era. I even make videos before where I put different phones side-by-side. Today, I'm still an avid enthusiast of smartphones, but my interests have evolved into smart devices and electric vehicles.

To the author profile
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
No comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing