Could an Upcoming Apple Smart-Home Tablet Lead to Mobile Robots - and Maybe Even a TV Set? (bloomberg.com) 25
"Here's how Apple's next major product will work," writes Bloomberg's Mark Gurman:
The company has been developing a smart home command center that will rival products like the Amazon Echo Hub and Google Nest Hub... The product will run many of Apple's core apps, like Safari, Notes and Calendar, but the interface will be centered on a customizable home screen with iOS-like widgets and smart home controls... The device looks like a low-end iPad and will include a built-in battery, speakers and a FaceTime camera oriented for a horizontal landscape view. The square device, which includes a roughly 6-inch screen, has sensors that let it change the interface depending on how far a user is from the screen. It will also have attachments for walls, plus a base with additional speakers so it can be placed on a table, nightstand or desk.
Apple envisions customers using the device as an intercom, with people FaceTiming each other from different rooms. They'll also be able to pull up home security footage, control their lights, and videoconference with family while cooking in the kitchen. And it will control music throughout the home on HomePod speakers. The device will work with hundreds of HomeKit-compatible items, a lineup that includes third-party switches, lights, fans and other accessories. But the company doesn't plan to roll out a dedicated app store for the product. Given the lack of success with app marketplaces for the Vision Pro, Apple Watch and Apple TV, that's not too surprising.
Looking ahead, the article concludes "The success of this device is still far from assured. Apple's recent track record pushing into new categories has been spotty, and its previous home products haven't been major hits."
But Gurman shares the most interesting part on X.com: If the product does catch on, it will help set the stage for more home devices. Apple is working on a high-end AI companion with a [$1,000] robotic arm and large display that could serve as a follow-up. The company could also put more resources into developing mobile robots, privacy-focused home cameras and speakers. It may even revisit the idea of making an Apple-branded TV set, something it's evaluating. But if the first device fails, Apple may have to rethink its smart home ambitions once again.
Gurman also writes that Apple is also working on a new AirTag with more range and improved privacy features (including "making it more difficult for someone to remove the speaker.")
Apple envisions customers using the device as an intercom, with people FaceTiming each other from different rooms. They'll also be able to pull up home security footage, control their lights, and videoconference with family while cooking in the kitchen. And it will control music throughout the home on HomePod speakers. The device will work with hundreds of HomeKit-compatible items, a lineup that includes third-party switches, lights, fans and other accessories. But the company doesn't plan to roll out a dedicated app store for the product. Given the lack of success with app marketplaces for the Vision Pro, Apple Watch and Apple TV, that's not too surprising.
Looking ahead, the article concludes "The success of this device is still far from assured. Apple's recent track record pushing into new categories has been spotty, and its previous home products haven't been major hits."
But Gurman shares the most interesting part on X.com: If the product does catch on, it will help set the stage for more home devices. Apple is working on a high-end AI companion with a [$1,000] robotic arm and large display that could serve as a follow-up. The company could also put more resources into developing mobile robots, privacy-focused home cameras and speakers. It may even revisit the idea of making an Apple-branded TV set, something it's evaluating. But if the first device fails, Apple may have to rethink its smart home ambitions once again.
Gurman also writes that Apple is also working on a new AirTag with more range and improved privacy features (including "making it more difficult for someone to remove the speaker.")
It’s pretty obvious to me that (Score:3)
They’ve got their strengths, for sure, but this isn’t one of them. Props for trying to diversify, but Tesla or Boston Robotics are much more likely to be the first success in the home-robot space.
Re: (Score:1)
Apple doesn’t do motion applications very well. Moving components (beyond a button) is simply a different beast. There are plenty of robotics and motion control companies that specialize in it, that Apple could collaborate with. Unfortunately, another thing that Apple doesn’t do well is collabs with other companies.
They’ve got their strengths, for sure, but this isn’t one of them. Props for trying to diversify, but Tesla or Boston Robotics are much more likely to be the first success in the home-robot space.
Based on exactly what "motion" applications (other than their video compositor software of the same name) has Apple ever even tried to do; Car R&D notwithstanding?
Re: (Score:3)
Gee, wonder what Tim uses that for?
"Siri, pretend you are an LGBTQWTF!+ man, now stroke it!"
So you're agreeing it will be useful.
Alexa already came, and went (Score:1)
Apple got caught with their pants down when Alexa hit. All this crap is the result of "we have to do it too, and better!" meetings. Endless meetings. Meetings about meetings. Since all of Apple's best R&D and creative minds left (were fired) long ago, it has taken them these many years to get the "me too" stuff out the door. And no one cares. Apple, the new Xerox.
Re: (Score:2)
And nobody learns (Score:5, Insightful)
If it's not an open API that can be accessed by the system of your choice, you're agreeing to see your device made obsolete the moment the manufacturer decides they don't want to support it, or that they can make more money pressuring people to buy something newer.
If I can't control it with Home Assistant without an 'integration' that is just a relay through the manufacturer's servers, I don't buy it. In my opinion, neither should you.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
If it's not an open API that can be accessed by the system of your choice, you're agreeing to see your device made obsolete the moment the manufacturer decides they don't want to support it, or that they can make more money pressuring people to buy something newer.
If I can't control it with Home Assistant without an 'integration' that is just a relay through the manufacturer's servers, I don't buy it. In my opinion, neither should you.
Apple supports Matter. Matter is Open. 697 Signatories last I looked.
Just select HomeKit Products that also support Matter.
Problem solved!
Re: (Score:2)
I was unaware, so thank you. I'll keep that in mind.
However, a quick bit of research shows that if you buy an Apple HomeKit device... it may be that the only way to join it to your network is via Apple's mobile HomeKit app. This may mean issues if you ever need to do a device reset.
Having said that, I have long since given up on reflashing devices to get them truly 'open', and for the cheap WiFi stuff where they refuse to include a simple web server for initial configuration I have an old phone with the
Re:And nobody learns (Score:4, Informative)
I was unaware, so thank you. I'll keep that in mind.
However, a quick bit of research shows that if you buy an Apple HomeKit device... it may be that the only way to join it to your network is via Apple's mobile HomeKit app. This may mean issues if you ever need to do a device reset.
Having said that, I have long since given up on reflashing devices to get them truly 'open', and for the cheap WiFi stuff where they refuse to include a simple web server for initial configuration I have an old phone with the required apps on them, then I block them at my firewall once the configuration steps are completed. For the expensive stuff, I do a bit more homework and make sure I don't need to take those steps.
Honestly, the easiest thing to do is stick with Zigbee and 433MHz wherever possible. Neither are routable, both are fairly standardized.
HomeKit (and because Apple donated its encryption to it, Matter) is not only E2E Encrypted; but also only Routable with a HomeKit Border Router. If you have an AppleTV HD or 4K or a HomePod or HomePod Mini, you have a HomeKit Border Router; plus there are two third party Routers that are HomeKit Certified). See list below for all HomeKit and Matter-Compatible Devices. It's getting impressive! Matter is (finally!) taking off!
BTW, the other side of the coin is Thread. Essentially a bit of a tweak to Zigbee (without the politics), it is a non-routable 2.4 GHz MESH network. Apple TV 4K, HomePod Mini, and recently, Apple Laptops (and Desktops?) have Thread Radios.
https://www.apple.com/home-app... [apple.com]
Another Protocol/RF standard I am interested in, that is a vast improvement on 433 MHz-type stuff is the Lo-Ra (LOng RAnge) System. E2E Encrypted, Easily achieving 1.4 miles in open country, and 2-5 YEARS of battery life, it is just the thing for low speed (125/250kbps), long-range sensors and actuators. Just no video that I have found.
YoLink sells all sorts of inexpensive hubs and gadgets for the system, and supposedly, their newest Hub is going to support Matter integration by the end of 2024.
https://shop.yosmart.com/ [yosmart.com]
This is where Matter integration with Lo-Ra will start, the YoLink Hub 3
https://shop.yosmart.com/produ... [yosmart.com]
That Hub also has some extremely interesting features; such as a built-in 4 hour rechargeable battery backup and an OPTIONAL $7/mo. Cellular Connection!
As you can see, it is already compatible with a bunch of other HA Systems; so, I'm pretty sure they are serious about Matter compatibility, too.
Here's more about Lo-Ra. There are cheap Microcontrollers with Lo-Ra radios available, too!
https://lora-alliance.org/ [lora-alliance.org]
Re: (Score:2)
apple tv where your stemming sub costs 30% more (Score:2)
apple tv where your stemming sub costs 30% more
Nope. Cheap Android tablet + Home assistant (Score:2)
That's the ticket, IMO, if you are into tablets. I have 17 rooms and I don't want 17 tablets. A phone makes more sense as a smart home controller, except that it's battery powered and runs out sometimes.
Homekit is nice. But there are so many devices that don't support it. I have 50 different integrations in my Haos VM.
And over 200 devices. Only 50 of them support HomeKit. I have many Z-wave devices, Yolink devices, Enphase, Zigbee, ESPHome, and so on. I don't have a single one that supports Matter or Thread
"Smart home tablet" (Score:2)
All the features mentioned are things you can already do with an android tablet running a home assistant client. Put it in a nice frame on the wall with a hidden power supply and bingo you have something you can control all you house things on.
Bonus, it's all open source and you can add your own things if you know a bit of coding.
A TV Set... (Score:3)
Now that's a term I haven't heard in a long, long time.
people FaceTiming each other from different rooms. (Score:2)
A robot with a TV in it's belly! (Score:2)
How about combine the two and build a robot with a TV screen that follows you around and sits on your lap so you can constantly be connected and send personal information to Apple?
Tell me you're rich... (Score:2)
Apple envisions customers using the device as an intercom, with people FaceTiming each other from different rooms.
If I stand at just the right spot at the end of the hallway, I can see into every room of my house. I'm impressed that they think that they'll sell a bunch of units to people who have a house the size of small museum, with just 2 people rattling around in it (and maybe the help, but they wouldn't be allowed to use it).