Apple to Unveil Three HDTVs in 2012 — Just in Time for Reruns to Ends [Report]

By

Photo by blakespot - http://flic.kr/p/4BV557
Photo by blakespot - http://flic.kr/p/4BV557

Apple might unveil three high-definition TV models in 2012, an analyst told investors over the weekend. Unlike previous rumors, this one includes a slew of details about the hardware and price. But do specs from unnamed developers make this version any more believable?


According to Trip Chowdhry of Global Equities Research, the Cupertino, Calif. company will “probably” launch three HDTV models in March of next year. But get your salt ready, because this new report, although detailed, relies on unnamed developer sources. Even the analyst tells investors the information is likely 75 percent accurate.

So, dismissing the 25 percent of the report probably wrong, let’s continue with the rumor. The closest existing HDTV is the Bose VideoWave, according to Chowdhry. The VideoWave includes a 46-inch LCD HDTV using three cables to connect 16 integrated surround-sound speakers in a package just six inches wide. Faithful to its love of small things, Apple’s supposed HDTV is even tinier than the Bose gadget.

The Apple HDTV is rumored to be just two inches thick but include 16 built-in speakers, the analyst says. The Apple unit will rely on just one cable, rather than the Bose’s three. The rumored Apple HDTV also offers three screen sizes and three price-points, according to the analyst.

Finally, the Apple device will be powered from as-yet un-produced DSP chip from the Cupertino, Calif. company’s PA Semi, claims the expert. The whole package supposedly will be part of the June 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference.

This is far from the first time an analyst has suggested Apple is getting into the TV business. In June, Piper Jaffray’s prominent Apple-watcher Gene Munster predicted iCloud could make such an unlikely scenario as the smartest tech company jumping into the most commoditized industries. I can’t wait until the summer re-runs ends and we get fresh rumors to dispel.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.