According to a new report, Apple's leading Asian manufacturer Foxconn is gearing up to make the much-rumored high-definition Apple television set. In a report on Friday, May 11, China Daily cites Foxconn chief Terry Gou as saying, during a news conference in Shanghai, that his company has been preparing to begin production of Apple's TV set. The actual development and manufacturing of the device, however, has not yet begun. The much-talked about "iTV" will reportedly feature and aluminum body, Apple's popular voice-operated virtual assistant Siri, as well as FaceTime video calling.
Features
"Gou said Foxconn is making preparations for iTV, Apple Inc.'s rumored upcoming high-definition television, although development or manufacturing has yet to begin," China Daily reported. "iTV reportedly features an aluminum construction, Siri, and FaceTime video calling. Foxconn's recent 50-50 joint venture factory with Sharp in Japan is one of the most preparations made for the new device, Gou added."
Earlier this week, Cult of Mac also cited a source who has reportedly seen a working prototype of the Apple TV set. According to its source, who spoke under condition of anonymity, the prototype resembles Apple's current Cinema Display monitors, but it is much larger, and features Siri and a built-in iSight camera for FaceTime video calling.
The sophisticated iSight camera uses facial-recognition technology and has the ability to zoom in on a person's face and follow them around the room. Thanks to this capability, users will be able to make a FaceTime video call from across the room, rather than having to sit directly in front of the TV set. In addition, users will reportedly be able to initiate the call with Siri.
Release Date
Ever since last year, when Walter Isaacson wrote, in his Steve Jobs biography, that the late Apple co-founder and CEO was working on an Apple TV before his death on October 5, there have been numerous rumors revolving around the Apple-branded TV set. On the other hand, Apple has not made any official announcement, and there is no word yet on when the device would be released or how much it will cost.
As PCMag points out, JP Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz recently said that an Apple TV set will likely appear "in years, not quarters." Meanwhile, Jeffrey equity analyst Peter Misek said back in March that production of an Apple TV set could start as early as May or June, which would indicate a late-2012 launch.
