Report: Apple TV to Feature Built-in Camera for Video Calls and Gesture Interaction

According to a report from Pulsestacks on April 8th, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed in the latest issue of the Power On newsletter that Apple is planning to integrate a camera into the Apple TV set-top box. This camera will be utilized for FaceTime calls and other video conferencing applications, as well as supporting gesture-based interactions. In the latest tvOS 17 update from Apple, they've introduced the FaceTime app for Apple TV, allowing users to engage in video calls using the rear-facing cameras of their iPhones or iPads once connected.

Integration of Cameras into Apple TV According to Gulman, future iterations of Apple TV will integrate cameras to enable "gesture-based interaction control," although he didn't delve into further specifics during the communication.

There are two potential interpretations of "gesture-based interaction control":

• The first interpretation is limited to video calls, a feature already implemented starting from updates like iOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and tvOS 17. In FaceTime and other video call apps, users can now make gestures to add 3D effects to the screen. For instance, users can raise two thumbs to display fireworks on the screen or make a peace sign gesture to shower confetti.
• The second interpretation suggests a broader gesture-based interaction system for the entire tvOS platform.

Lightweight Smart Display In other news related to smart homes, Gulman mentioned that Apple is considering launching a "lightweight smart display" for home use. Here's a brief overview of the related information provided by pulsestacks: