14 DAY TRIAL // Foxconn Electronics and Apple are continuing to discuss development plans for the latter’s iTV, a rumored full-fledged connected television that many analysts say is the next big thing from Apple.
The news comes from Taiwan, particularly, the hit-and-miss DigiTimes which cites the usual supply chain sources with connections to both companies.
According to these sources, “Apple is reportedly continuing to develop a TV rumored to be called the iTV, which is likely to support Ultra HD (3840 by 2160) along with voice and motion control functions and Internet connectivity.”
Quite a lot on the table for the rumored product which essentially needs a content distribution model to take off. No word on this aspect from Taiwan’s “industry sources,” though.
The voice control functions hint at Siri, Apple’s personal assistant that gets things done just by asking it. The official Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson mentions this in greater lines.
The sources reportedly added that “Apple and Foxconn Electronics have been in discussions for quite some time in terms of the TV's mass production schedule, but that Apple has been considering where panel supply for the TV will come from.”
The Cupertino giant has a only a few choices among suppliers of Ultra HD TV panels.
Most of them are based in Taiwan, and they’re expected to finally start producing at nearly full capacity this year, according to the report.
Apple has its eye on LG Display, a Korea-based display maker which is believed to be able to mass produce Ultra HD TV panels by the second half of 2013.
Apple is expected to release the iTV product by the end of 2013, but only “If LG is successful and has ample supply of the technology,” reads the report.
However, the same sources have said that the iPhone maker “is more likely to [release the iTV] towards the beginning of 2014.”