New Apple TV and HomePod Mini to Get In-House 'Proxima' Wireless Chip

Apple is planning a next-generation Apple TV and a HomePod mini that will both use its new in-house wireless chip, codenamed "Proxima," according to a report from Mark Gurman.

In a newsletter to subscribers today, Gurman says the new chip will offer better support for the Thread smart home standard.

Also next year, Apple will roll out upgrades to existing home devices: its TV set-top box and HomePod mini smart speaker. That will add an advanced wireless chip dubbed Proxima and better support the new Thread standard for wirelessly linking products in the home.


Despite rumors of a new AirPort device, Gurman says the company is not working on a wireless router. However, he does note that the Proxima chip is sophisticated enough to turn a home device into a wireless access point. If Apple does enable this functionality, it's unlikely to be the main selling point of the devices.

Apple is widely expected to bring the Proxima chip to iPhone later next year and to iPad and Mac by 2026. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates!