Smart home
Amazon Launches Rakhi Store With Deals on Phones, Speakers, More
The e-commerce giant says that Amazon’s Android app users can use Alexa voice assistance to access the Rakhi Store. Users can tap the mic icon on the app and say “Alexa, go to Rakhi Store” and land there directly. Alternatively, users could head to this dedicated microsite on Amazon’s desktop site. Redmi Note 10 Pro Max (Glacial Blue, 6GB + 128GB) is listed with an instant Rs. 1,500 discount on HDFC Bank cards. There’s an exchange discount of up to Rs. 13,700 and no-cost EMI options are also listed. Redmi Note 10 Pro Max is priced starting at Rs. 19,999.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G (Charcoal Ink, 6GB + 128GB) is listed with an instant Rs. 1,000 discount on HDFC Bank cards. The same exchange discount and no-cost EMI options as Redmi Note 10 Pro Max are listed for the OnePlus handset as well. OnePlus Nord CE 5G is priced starting at Rs. 22,999.
There’s up to 40 percent off on televisions and Amazon even lists the OnePlus Buds Z as an ideal gifting option. The TWS earbuds are priced at Rs. 2,999 and are listed with 10 percent instant discount on IndusInd Bank cards. There’s also the Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen, 2021 model) that is listed with a Rs. 900 coupon discount. Priced at Rs. 3,999, it is also listed with no-cost EMI options.
Buyers could also consider the Echo Dot (3rd Gen, Black) smart speaker + Wipro 9W LED Smart colour bulb combo, priced at Rs. 3,599. For those who want to splurge a little extra, there’s Sony Bravia 55-inch 4K Ultra-HD Smart TV with inbuilt Alexa that is listed with a Rs. 3,000 coupon discount, no-cost EMI options, and exchange discount of up to Rs. 6,140.
For those who are confused about what to gift their siblings, Amazon also offers an Amazon Pay Gift Card option.
Apple TV Set Could Compete With Offerings From Popular TV Manufacturers
Gurman writes that Apple is “evaluating” the development of an “Apple-branded TV set” in his newsletter, which suggests that the company is at a very early stage. However, MacRumors points out that this is not the first time that word of Apple’s plans to make its own TV have surfaced online — the company was rumoured to be developing its own TV as early as 2009.
Apple’s purported TV set would arrive as part of several smart devices being developed by the company, according to Gurman. The journalist previously revealed that the first of these devices would be a wall-mounted smart home hub that could control other devices and offer support for features like video calling.
However, Gurman says that if the smart home hub fails, Apple could “rethink its smart home ambitions once again”. The company is said to be working on a more advanced version of the smart home hub, equipped with a robotic arm, that could arrive with a higher $1,000 (roughly Rs. 84,400) price tag.
If the company is thinking of developing its own TV set, the company would face competition from several manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung, LG, and Sharp — these firms offer a range of TVs across price models, while Apple can be expected to introduce a model with high-end specifications.
Apple’s TV set could also offer support for features available on its TV box that include Siri, HomeKit, and more. It’s currently unclear whether Apple will use the same operating system — tvOS — on the purported TV set.
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Apple’s Wall-Mounted Display Might Not Support Third-Party Apps
According to the report, Apple’s first smart home device powered by Apple Intelligence will comprise a 6-inch display that appears to resemble two iPhone units placed next to each other. It will reportedly be equipped with a camera and built-in speakers that enable support for video calls, and it can be used with optional bases that are equipped with speakers.
Apple is also developing a new operating system for the new wall-mounted display that is codenamed “Pebble”, according to Bloomberg. It will reportedly feature a customisable home screen that shows icons for various apps, while widgets will provide information at a glance.
The first-generation smart home device, codenamed J490, is expected to feature support for the company’s applications such as Apple News, Apple Music, FaceTime, and Safari, but it is unlikely to include an App Store, as per the report.
While the wall-mounted display is expected to operate independently, it will reportedly require an iPhone to be set up. There’s no word on the hardware powering the device, but we can expect to offer performance on par with Apple’s A17 Pro chip or an M1 chip, along with 8GB of RAM.
Apple has spent over three years on developing the new wall-mounted display and the company plans to launch the device in March 2025, according to the report. It could be available in black and silver colourways.
Meanwhile, another advanced smart home device that is equipped with a robotic arm that can move a display is reportedly in development. It is unclear when Apple plans to launch this device, but it could be priced as high as $1,000 (roughly Rs. 84,400). Meanwhile, the wall-mounted display is expected to have a much lower price tag, according to the report.
Apple Picks Goertek to Produce New Products Arriving in 2026
In a post on Medium, Kuo states that Apple is planning to launch its first smart home IP camera device in 2026, which will offer wireless connectivity with Apple’s other devices, as well as software integration with Siri and Apple Intelligence. According to supply chain analyst, the company is looking at a long-term goal of annual shipments of over 10 million, and has picked China-based Goertek to be the sole assembler for the product.
Apple’s second product will be an upgraded version of the company’s AirPods truly wireless stereo (TWS) earphones, Kuo claims. The analyst predicts that the company’s upcoming AirPods will also focus on health-related features, and that these earphones will be assembled by Goertek
Earlier this year, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) would be updated with support for using the headset as a hearing aid — the company received approval from the US FDA in September.
In 2023, a patent related to a wireless audio product was spotted online, that suggested Apple was working on AirPods sensors that could measure brain electrical activity, while another report claimed that Apple was designing a new AirPods Pro model that could monitor body temperature using inbuilt sensors.
Citing supply chain reports, Kuo claims that Goertek’s relationship has Apple has “normalised” in the second half of 2024, months after it lost many orders due to “supply compliance issues”. Goertek is expected to be the sole supplier for the smart home IP camera, and the primary supplier for the next-generation AirPods.
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