Followers of the Apple TV {hardware} nonetheless have to attend for an improve, and if you happen to suppose you’re getting a TV field that may help Apple Intelligence, you may wish to put together for a possible letdown. Whereas rumors say Apple goes to launch an Apple TV mannequin this 12 months, one that would at all times rock a chip able to Apple AI, it’s unclear whether or not any of that may occur.
Extra fascinating is a discovery in code that signifies Apple is engaged on a “HomeAccessory” gadget which may run on the identical chipset because the iPhone 16 sequence. These chips are absolutely going to run Apple Intelligence higher than something earlier than them. And we had loads of rumors lately that appeared to substantiate the existence of the A18 and A18 Professional chips.
The rumored Residence Accent product isn’t essentially a HomePod. It’s actually not an Apple TV. Apparently, it seems to run a variant of tvOS. Are we an iPad-like dwelling robotic that may observe you across the dwelling or desk? Most likely not.
In accordance with MacRumors, Apple is engaged on a “HomeAccessory17,1” gadget. The identify is much like the AudioAccessory identifier that Apple has used earlier than.
The thrilling element within the new codename is the “17,1” quantity. That’s the anticipated codename for the A18 chips coming to the iPhone this 12 months. Leaks already confirmed Apple is likely to be engaged on 5 iPhones with A18 chips, prompting me to invest that the iPhone SE 4 may get one and Apple Intelligence together with it.
The weblog says the software program is a variant of tvOS, much like the HomePod. Rumors earlier this 12 months mentioned that Apple is likely to be engaged on a HomePod with a touchscreen show on the high. This looks like the most probably gadget to get that new Residence Accent moniker.
So, what’s the take care of Apple robots? Effectively, Mark Gurman supplied this tidbit in a report that preceded the WWDC occasion:
Equally, a Siri revamp that’s underway may very well be on the core of Apple’s future table-top robotic, which is actually a big iPad show that may transfer round to imitate the pinnacle motions of a human. That gadget shall be primarily managed by voice — and having a extra exact and complex model of Siri shall be invaluable.
A big iPad robotic for the house or desk can be an much more thrilling growth for this Residence Accent gadget. However that appears unlikely in the intervening time. That gadget would most likely must run a model of iOS fairly than tvOS.
Additionally, Siri is likely to be getting thrilling AI powers by way of iOS 18. Nevertheless it received’t occur anytime quickly, and the Siri AI expertise will nonetheless be labeled a beta. Any iPad robotic product would most likely not be prepared for market within the close to future.
I’ll additionally level out a late February report from Gurman that talked about a HomePod with a display product that’s coming in 2025. It’s unclear if this gadget is definitely the iPad robotic he talked about final month. Possibly it’s a precursor?
However, a HomePod with a round touchscreen on high, able to help Apple Intelligence is likely to be doable.
Again to the code findings, the weblog mentions two unreleased Apple TV fashions noticed in the identical code. That’s AppleTV14,4 and AppleTV14,5. These codenames recommend the 2024 Apple TV may get the identical A15 Bionic chip because the 2022 fashions. And that iPhone chip isn’t good for Apple Intelligence. You want an A17 Professional or later to get Apple’s AI on iPhones.