News
Apple HDTV Is Coming, Says Manufacturing Partner
By Swanni 

Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2012) -- Foxconn, an Apple manufacturing partner, says it's preparing its facilities in mainland China to produce the much-anticipated Apple HDTV.

That's according to an article by China Daily, as reported by CNET.com.

Rumors have circulated for more than a year that Apple will launch a company-branded HDTV designed to revolutionize the TV industry (and bring more profits to Apple coffers.) But until now, the rumors have been vague and largely based on forecasts from Wall Street analysts.

But in a press conference last week to discuss the company's future, Foxconn CEO Terry Gou let slip that the facilities are being prepared. However, he added that "developing or manufacturing has yet to begin."

Gou's comment would seem to suggest that it could be at least a year before the set reaches store shelves, if then. That would dovetail with J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz who predicts that Apple will not launch the product until 2014.

Apple, which reportedly wants to offer a new way of providing programming services, might need more time to secure partnerships with content providers, such as the Hollywood studios.

Also: Just because Foxconn is preparing facilities, that doesn't mean Apple has to eventually use them  to produce the set. The company could ultimately decide that it doesn't want to enter the ultra-competitive TV manufacturing business.