Apple is reportedly set to launch its first custom Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip, codenamed Proxima, with new versions of the Apple TV and HomePod Mini, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. Proxima, which supports Wi-Fi 6E, is rumoured to offer fewer features compared to the current Broadcom hardware but is well-suited for smart home devices, where extra speed isn’t as critical.
New Apple TV and HomePod mini reportedly coming in 2025
Gurman didn’t specify when the new HomePod Mini and Apple TV will debut next year. gurman said the Proxima chip could also show up in iPhones later in 2025 and in iPads and Macs in 2026 #apple #Apple TV pic.twitter.com/2T5s9aF5QQ
— Apple Lisa (@Lisa67937) December 13, 2024
The chip is also expected to make its way to iPhones “later next year,” indicating that the Apple TV and HomePod Mini upgrades could arrive sooner. As per the report, Apple’s Proxima chip, in development for years and produced by TSMC, will debut in new HomePod Mini and Apple TV models in 2025, with possible iPhone release later that year and iPad and Mac updates in 2026.
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Additionally, Apple is reportedly also developing a home hub called “Command Center,” set to launch in 2025, though it’s unclear if it will feature the custom chip. The device will include a 6-inch display, built-in speaker and camera, and will be capable of controlling smart home devices, making video calls, and more.
Apple is moving towards switching to its own in-house combined WiFi + Bluetooth chip
The chip is expected to tie into a new Apple TV and HomePod mini coming in 2025.
Along with iPhone 17. iPads and Macs by 2026. pic.twitter.com/lt9tbjeGSX
— Jason Castellano (@TheCastReport) December 12, 2024
It was earlier reported that the company might launch a wall-mounted tablet for smart homes as soon as March 2025. The wall-mounted tablet is likely to function as a control center for smart home devices, supports video calls, and integrates Apple’s advanced AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence.
As per the reports, the device is expected to feature a 6-inch touchscreen and support voice commands through Siri, Apple Intelligence, or a new system called “App Intents” for AI-driven app management. It will run on a new operating system and include proximity sensors to detect nearby users.
According to the report, the product will serve as a hub for controlling home appliances, interacting with Siri, and hosting intercom calls via Apple’s FaceTime. It will come preloaded with Apple apps for web browsing, news, and music, and allow users to access notes, calendars, and display photos as a digital photo frame.
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