Japan Making Apple’s Next-Gen TV - A6 CPU, Siri

Apple is on track to launch its much-anticipated television product in Q4 2012, people familiar with the development have revealed.

The Japanese contractees have been ordered to build not one, but three different models of the device, of which two will boast 32-inch and 55-inch screen sizes, Smarthouse has been told.

The Australian paper learned that the next-generation of Apple TVs will incorporate a new processor that will also be used in the iPad 3. The next-in line A-series CPU is the A6, though Apple is yet to confirm its existence.

The iPad 3 is due midway through 2012, the Japanese sources also threw in.

Back to the next-gen Apple TV specifications, the Japanese developers said there will be “a totally new software interface […] that allows users to call up programs using voice commands via the new Siri personal assistant app,” according to the same report.

The sources said Apple plans to use its television product to take on Samsung and LG smart TVs. These will also have new processors and they will offer a combination of OLED display, as well as new Super HD TV technology, the report says.

Regarding the Australian market in particular, the next-generation of smart TVs will leverage new content services from providers like Telstra, the paper noted.

Tim Barnes, Senior Marketing Manager Entertainment at LG Electronics, is quoted in the report as saying that first run movies and access to movies hitting DVD rental stores will be key to selling these smart TVs

"We will see new technology and a new generation of Smart TV launched at CES in January. These TVs will have 3D TV capability as well as new Smart TV capabilities. This will allow us to deliver a new generation of content from the likes of Telstra and other providers like Red Bull TV, while delivering a new viewing experience for consumers".

"If Apple does launch a new TV it will help us grow the Smart TV market in Australia with consumers upgrading to not only new TVs, but attach home theatre systems that will deliver for them a big movie experience," he said.