Really, it feels like we’ve been hearing rumors about an Apple ‘iTV’ for years. Oh wait a minute, we have. And here’s another one.
According to a report from Taiwan-based DigiTimes, the Cupertino company is working on the creation of a 4K Ultra HD television with a resolution of 3840 x 2160. In line with other previously heard chatter, the report says the TV would also sport voice and motion control functionality as well as Internet connectivity.
Citing sources in the supply chain, the report said Apple had been hoping to unveil the iTV later this year but is having issues finding an Ultra HD TV panel maker with time on its hands. Most, it seems, are already operating at full capacity as they try to meet demand from China-based TV vendors.
“Additionally, other panel makers in Apple’s supply chain that may have the ability to produce Ultra HD TV panels are expected to allocate most of their panel production to the company’s iPhone, iPad and iPad Mini products instead,” DigiTimes said, adding that the tech giant is hoping it may be able to get LG Display to produce the panels in the second half of this year.
While a late-2013 iTV launch is still a possibility, it seems more likely, at least at this stage, that it’ll happen in the early part of 2014 – so plenty of time for more rumors to pop up.
DigiTimes admittedly has a mixed record in its dealings with “people familiar with the matter,” but with predictions by analysts such as Jefferies’ Peter Misek falling by the wayside (the high-profile Apple analyst recently said the tech giant would hold an iTV-related event this month), perhaps the Taiwan-based publication actually knows a thing or two about what’s going on.
