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?

Apple has just launched its latest iPad 2 TV commercial called ‘We’ll Always’, which features a subtle little plug for its latest operating system.

For years now, a prominent analyst has predicted Apple will get into the high-definition TV business. While that makes about as much sense as my idea for an iToaster, the rumor is back again, this time piggy-backing on the iCloud.

Apple is rumored to be teaming up with a major TV maker to sell Apple-branded TVs in the fall.

According to DailyTech, citing a former Apple executive, Apple’s TVs will be sold through Apple’s retail stores and will “blow Netflix and all those other guys away.”

We’ve heard this one before. So often, in fact, I’m inclined to roll my eyes. The TV business is hyper-competitive and hard.

But Apple has a big new technology that might make all the difference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFFkK2SmPg4&feature=player_embedded

Here’s Apple’s latest TV ad for the iPad, entitled, ‘Now.’

Now, we can watch a newspaper. Listen to a magazine. Curl up with a movie, and see a phone call.

Now, we can take a classroom anywhere. Hold an entire bookstore. And touch the stars.

Because now, there’s this… [cue iPad 2].

Whose voice is that?

Developer Ben Dodson has uncovered some cool stuff inside iOS5 that can turn your AppleTV and iPad2 into a wireless games console setup.

The swarm of speculation, once surrounding when Apple would release a CDMA iPhone has a new target: HDTV. Wednesday, a Wall Street analyst provided a bit more fuel, telling investors he expects the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant to unveil a “Smart TV” by the end of 2011.

Brian White of Ticonderoga Securities writes a trip to a China tradeshow prompted his belief. White says the new device won’t be another revamp of Apple TV. The Smart TV would “provide a full-blown TV product for consumers,” according to the analyst. Understanding we’ve heard this all before, the analyst assures us Apple is moving “at a faster pace than the market expected.”

Yet more signs Apple wants to be in your TV. The Cupertino, Calif. tech giant is building a “Smart TV prototype,” an analyst told investors Friday, citing Asian suppliers. Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported Apple is talking with TV manufacturers about embedding technology enabling mobile devices to stream video content to televisions.

A Smart TV would give Apple another product category worth $4 billion for each percent of the TV market the iPad-maker and its partners captured, writes Morgan Stanley analyst Kat Huberty. A Pioneer executive was quoted Thursday describing Apple’s entry into the market “a blessing for an industry trying to move the needle forward on sales.”

For some time, Apple has viewed its Apple TV device like stamp collecting – an interesting hobby. The concept is intriguing, but the real money could be made if there was a more direct connection to your living-room TV, hence analyst speculation the Cupertino, Calif. company might someday get into the TV business. That day could be sooner than expected amid a Wednesday report TV makers are considering putting key Apple TV technology inside new TV sets.

The technology, known as AirPlay currently streams video and audio from Apple devices, such as the iPad or iPhone, to the Apple TV set-top box. However, now TV manufacturers, looking for a way to revive slumping sales, are talking with Apple about putting the technology directly in new TVs.

We start another week of deals with three hardware items. First up is a 32GB (current generation) iPod touch for just $230. Next is an Apple TV unit for $80. We wrap up the spotlight with a $2GB iPod shuffle for just $30.

Along the way we also take a peek at ways to enlarge your iPhone screen, charge your handset and dock your iPod with Yamaha. For Apple 2 owners, there are new cases, as well as a two-year extended warranty.

As always, details on these and many other items can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.