Apple is reportedly working on a new Apple TV model that could potentially feature a built-in camera for FaceTime and additional applications. Details about the product have been circulating for some time, and some rumors have emerged.

Apple TV to come with built-in camera

While Apple already has a mechanism to use FaceTime on Apple TV, it currently requires an iPhone or iPad to be used as a webcam for larger screens. The Apple TV will reportedly address this by featuring a built-in camera that can be used as a webcam for larger screens, along with “motion-based controls.”

With the release of tvOS 17 last year, Apple TV users gained access to the FaceTime app, allowing them to make video calls directly from their televisions. Although FaceTime makes sense for Apple TV due to its larger screen, the company had been hesitant to introduce video calling features until last year.

According to Mark Gurman, who suggests that Apple may be working on a similar approach as it does with iOS and iPadOS, the upcoming Apple TV model could potentially include “motion-based controls” to monitor reactions during FaceTime calls. Gurman did not provide additional details on how these gestures would be used on Apple TV and whether they could control the device at the system level.

Additionally, Apple still has ambitious goals in the smart home segment, including offering a revamped product with a built-in camera for home automation, FaceTime video conferencing, and gesture-based controls. This technology will seamlessly integrate with both the iPhone and Vision Pro.

Apple already offers gesture-based controls in iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS 14, allowing users to express themselves with animated 3D effects in FaceTime. It can be assumed that FaceTime on Apple TV will work similarly but on a much larger screen.

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