Reports that Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is planning to launch an HD connected TV in 2012 continue to percolate. This time, Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry issued a note to investors that Apple may offer as many as three sets in March.
Chowdhry said information he's gathered from a number of developer events suggests the company will roll out three sets at three different price points, and they would be based on a chip developed by PA Semi.
"The DSP chip in Apple HDTV is a brand new chip based on Apple's acquisition of PA Semi," he added. "As of now, this new chip is not in mass production."
Chowdhry said the line would likely be benchmarked against the Bose's VideoWave, a 46-inch LCD model with built-in surround sound and only three cables.
There have been a number of reports of late that Apple is poised to enter the connected-TV market. Piper Jaffrey analyst Gene Muster has posited since March 2010 that Apple would launch a connected TV that would be a huge player in the industry, despite repeated statements from Apple that TV was "just a hobby."
With more than $76 billion in cash on hand, Apple is poised to make a major play somewhere.
For more:
- see this AppleInsider report
- see this TechWatch article
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