Apple Building 60-Inch Smart HDTV, Report Suggests

One analyst says that Apple is working on several brand new technologies. The most exciting: a 60-inch 'smart' television set that uses features found on the company's popular iPhone and iPad devices.

According to Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets, Apple plans to start manufacturing its own TV sets. This isn't a new rumor; in fact, previous reports indicated that Steve Jobs was closely involved in such a project before his death in 2011.

Based on conversations with a variety of electrical components manufacturers in Asia, White has put together a series of possible features that could appear in the Apple TV sets. As usual, Apple is refusing to comment on the claims, so it's difficult to know how reliable they are.

TV Could Feature iPad-Sized Mini-Screens

According to White, Apple's most prominent television model will be a 60-inch high-definition set retailing for somewhere between $1,500 and $2,500. Buyers will also be able to get up to four mini 'iTV' devices that connect to the main set.

These devices will work anywhere within 200 meters of the main set. They'll use 9.7-inch screens, the same display size as the iPad. (Source: eweek.com)

It's not clear exactly what purpose these iTV devices would serve. One possibility is that users could browse TV guides, online video sites, or digital video recorder content on the small screen and then press a button to send the content to the large screen.

Another possibility: viewers could carry on watching a show if they have to move away from the living room TV.

iRing Brings Gesture Controls

White also says Apple is working on an iRing device, a form of remote control that you wear on your fingers and use to send commands to the TV.

In addition, White says he's learned that the TV will use features from other Apple products. For example, you could use the Siri voice control feature to change the channel or search for programming.

You could also carry out FaceTime video calls on Apple's TV.

Tech analysts remain skeptical, however. They suggest White's report might be based primarily on speculation and assumptions. (Source: slashgear.com)