Apple is almost certainly working on a digital television based on its iOS operating system, according to multiple sources in Silicon Valley, reports VentureBeat. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, for instance, says that Apple will make an actual TV–not just a set top box–in late 2012 or early 2013 and cites component suppliers and an internal Apple source, to back up his prediction.
Venture capitalist Stewart Alsop, of Alsop Louie Ventures, follows the hardware industry closely and told VentureBeat he has heard from multiple Silicon Valley sources that the Apple television project is underway. He says the only thing holding Apple back is the cost of LCD screens, although prices have been dropping steadily.
VentureBeat also says The Wall Street Journal and Cult of Mac have hinted at a TV in Apple’s future and even includes former Apple CEO Steve Jobs as a contributor to the rumor because of some comments he made last year regarding Apple integrating its technology into TV sets.
Currently the AppleTV set-top box provides access to movies and TV from iTunes as well as other online video content. But experts say iOS will enable Apple to transform the television into something that doesn’t just show videos, but also plays games, runs apps, lets you check your calendar, use social media, as well as tie into other Apple devices–giving the company a well-rounded consumer product line.
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