A leak claims that Apple's "HomePod mini," and new Apple TV, will precisely track your location, or that of your devices, in your home, to trigger HomeKit actions, or even AR.
HomePod and Apple TV
Ahead of Apple's "Hi, Speed," event and its launch of the "iPhone 12," a new leak claims to have details of other devices that may be announced. Whether they're unveiled at this event or later, the claim is that both a new "HomePod mini" and Apple TV will be Ultra Wideband base stations that work with U1 devices to exactly track your location.
According to regular leaker Jon Prosser, the tracking will enable HomeKit to, for instance, lock doors, and turn on lights, as you walk around. He also claims that this will actually facilitate expected new Apple AR features in the Find My app.
HomePod mini & the new Apple TV will both act as UWB base-stations
-- Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 12, 2020
- Will precisely track your location as you walk inside house with other U1 devices.
- Use info for media controls, brightness/volume control, & door locks.
Turns regular hardware into HomeKit hardware.
Prosser goes on to say that this feature will also "be used in the Find My app when you're away from home to alert you if any of your devices have been moved within or taken from your home."
In response to AppleInsider, Prosser says that the updated Apple TV won't be unveiled at the "Hi, Speed" event but the HomePod Mini will. HomePod Mini will be priced at $99. Prosser seems to infer that the HomePod Mini's smart home powers may not be ready for launch but that the inclusion of the U1 chip is a confirmation that the features are coming, though that isn't the most watertight argument.
Apple's "iPhone 12" event will be streamed live online and across Apple devices from 10:00 PT, 13:00 ET on October 13.
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