TV Makers Desperate to Know Apple’s Next Move, Analyst Reports

As Apple prepares to launch a full-fledged HD TV set whose display is reportedly being produced by Sharp, TV makers worldwide are "scrambling" to identify its key selling points, so as not to be caught off guard, according to a Jefferies analyst.

Peter Misek issued a note to investors this week writing that Apple is geared towards a partnership with Sharp for the TFT-LCD panels destined for the rumored iTV.

Apple currently sells a $99 set-top box called Apple TV but the Cupertino giant is believed to be working on a full-featured TV offering that also delivers the big screen and voice-activated remote control technology (Siri).

Misek expects production to begin in February at Sharp’s Gen 10 Sakai facility in Osaka, Japan. If everything goes according to plan, the Apple-branded television offering will go on sale around mid-2012, the analyst estimates.

More interestingly, Misek’s note makes a reference to potential competitors in the television market and how these people are literally "scrambling" to identify the key features of Apple’s forthcoming product.

"They hope to avoid the fate of other industries and manufacturers who were caught flat footed by Apple," Misek wrote. "Having said that, it appears that mainstream TV manufacturers are likely to be at least 6 to 12 months behind in a best-case scenario."

In what was a predictable scenario, the terrified TV makers are reportedly eyeing Google’s Android operating system to provide the underlying software for their upcoming hardware solutions.

Editor’s note
We all know how Android-based tablets stack up against the iPad right? Well, then what’s the point of ‘scrambling’ to find out what the iTV will be all about if you’re going to put Android at the base of your ‘competitive’ device?

The iTV rumors on the web are drawing a pretty good picture of the upcoming product. I mean, you can bet it’s going to use Apple’s latest innovations. It’s not like they’ll avoid using Siri out of spite because of all the rumors. There, now you have a good place to start your investigation, TV makers.

Oh and it would be wise if you TV makers had some prototypes of your own ready. Chances are you’ll miss the boat just like every Android tablet maker did.