Apple’s supply chain will start preparing materials for the Apple-branded HDTV (the so-called “iTV”) in the first quarter of 2012 with the sets rolling out in the second or third quarter of next year, reports “DigiTimes” (http://www.digitimes.com), quoting unnamed “industry sources.”
Sharp will reportedly product the displays for the TVs, which will be available in 32-inch and 37-inch versions, the article adds. “DigiTimes” also says that the set-top box Apple TV will live in in a “next generation” model, though the article doesn’t elaborate.
Apple has reportedly turned to Jeff Robbin, who helped create the iPod and the iTunes Store, to guide development of the company’s HDTV effort, reports “Bloomberg” (http://macte.ch/LOVFk), quoting unnamed “people with knowledge of the project.”
According to the sources, Apple is working to integrate seamless content search features into the device. “For example, instead of having to separately check to see if a movie or show is available through Netflix or a cable service, all the material could be integrated,” the sources told “Bloomberg.”
— Dennis Sellers