Is an Apple TV “Imminent?”
A new report indicates Apple’s plans to debut a TV may be closer than previously thought. Jefferies & Co.’s James Kisner told investors in a Nov. 16 note he has heard rumors from industry contacts that at least one major cable operator has been testing bandwidth to accommodate an Apple product.
“Our discussions with industry contacts suggest that at least one major North American multiple system operator is working to estimate how much additional capacity may be needed for a new Apple device on their broadband data network,” Kisner wrote, referencing an October report.
“We believe this potentially suggests an imminent launch of the Apple TV,” he added.
The rumor mill has been abuzz for some time with the possibility of an Apple television, reporting the gadget could potentially replace cable providers’ set-top boxes, be a stand-alone television unit, or even a larger version of an iPad that mounts on a wall. Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs previously told biographer Walter Isaacson he wanted to “create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use,” and he “finally cracked it.”
Further adding to speculation were Piper Jaffray’s analyst Gene Muster’s outlines for three possibilities for an Apple TV, predicting that such a product could appear on the market as early as December and retail between $1,500 and $2,000. He also said the product would range in size from 42 inches to a 55-inch model. Of course Munster has been predicting an Apple TV for more than four years, most recently forecasting a product launch in 2011.
Apple has been in talks with a few large cable operators about a new television product, according to AllThingsD, but the “imminent” description may be a bit exaggerated. After the iPad Mini’s unveiling in October, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company has completed its 2012 product lineup. After summarizing its various product launches, Cook called 2012 a “truly prolific year of innovation.”
