Foxconn is making moves to secure a deal to manufacture Apple's next big launch - Apple iTV.
DigiTimes reported, Friday, citing an industry expert as source, Foxconn's recent investment in Sharp was an attempt to ensure that the Cupertino tech giant gives the iTV order to Foxconn.
According to Ho Chao-yang, the former head of display panel supplier Chimei Innolux and current chairman of Chi Mei Materials Technology, if it succeeds, Foxconn's step will prove to be a major development for the flat panel manufacturing industry. The recent tie-up is a win-win strategy for both companies and will create more markets, Ho believes.
In recent times, rumors about the new Apple HDTV, popularly dubbed as iTV, are flying high. In April, Accedo CEO Michael Lantz sent a mail to Boy Genius Report, mentioning that Apple was never concerned about the functionality of the iTV but about the design. He noted that the iTV "will sell on superior design and quality of the actual TV set."
Lantz also said that "By using their Apple stores as the main outlets for these TV sets, they have a natural sales channel and can use the current market momentum to sell the TVs. The recent appointment of Dixon's John Browett as head of Apple's retail operations ensures that the more complex distribution chains for TV sets can be dealt with cost-efficiently."
What features can you expect in the Apple iTV? Check out below a list of features that are most talked about. But as we always say, read these rumored features with a pinch of salt!
- According to a survey done by Best Buy in February, Apple might come with a 42-inch HD TV, which might run iOS, support iCloud, be controllable from an iPhone or iPad, and have access to Netflix, YouTube, and Flickr, same as the existing Apple TV.
- The new HDTV will be enabled to hare content from iPods, iPhones, iPads, Macs and Stream media from mobile devices directly to the television.
- If Wall Street Journal's December indication comes true, you might get to see a Siri-based Remote Control.
- A Bloomberg report claimed earlier that Apple will offer a YouTube-like built-in video sharing service in its iTV to let users easily share video online from their iPhones and iPads.
- The new iTV can sport Xbox Kinect-like features to let viewers control the TV by gesticulating with their hands and the TV will read motions to determine actions.
- With the new iTV, it is rumored that Apple will offer gaming platform or console and provide a comprehensive package like Xbox does.
