Apple TV set part chain rumored starting up in early 2012
updated 07:30 am EST, Tue December 27, 2011
Full Apple TV set may ship in spring or summer
Apple's proper TV set may enter the earliest production phases early next year. Rumors floated Tuesday by Digitimes had the supply chain for the "iTV" producing individual parts before the end of March. The aim was to ship the TV in spring or summer, the sources said, giving Apple a wide berth.
Separate Korean reports had Samsung supposedly started on making some chips as early as November, and possible iPad 3 partner Sharp would be making the LCDs themselves. Screen sizes would start out at 32 and 37 inches in this view.
The devices would be full-fledged TVs, although Apple might still have an add-on media hub to offer.
Such a rumor is unverified and clashes with talk of a set arriving in 2013 or at best late 2012. The screen sizes might be red flags. Both sizes would be too small for the typical LCD TV buyer, many of whom now shop for TVs larger than 40 inches and where 50-inch and larger sets are no longer rare. Smaller sizes also reduce the number of available inputs and the perceived advantage of 1080p over 720p.
Multiple earlier tips have pointed to possible Siri voice recognition for the set. Other possibilities include Kinect-style gestures and integration of DVR-style show recording that ties into iCloud for viewing on iPhones and other devices.
