Apple is apparently gearing up to launch a 65-inch ultra-HD television in 2014, if reports are to be believed.
According to Masahiko Ushino, an analyst with Tokyo-based Advanced Research Japan Co., Apple will begin retailing 55- and 65-inch ultra-HD televisions in Q4 2014. The analyst disclosed the details to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in a telephone interview.
While Ishino did not disclose the source of his information, he revealed that the Apple TVs would feature a frameless display. The 55-inch and 65-inch TVs will likely retail for $1,500 and $2,500, respectively.
"Ultra-high definition Apple TVs with 65- and 55-inch frameless screens are likely to go on sale by end-2014," Ishino said in a phone interview, amid market queries on how far away Apple's TV plans may be.
The analyst also let on that suppliers like Hon Hai Precision Co. will be involved in the Apple TVs.
"It'll probably be more of a smart monitor than what we think of as a TV," said the analyst.
Ishino added that doing away with innumerable cables and tuners was one of the priorities for the new breed of TVs.
In 2011, before his death, Apple CEO Steve Jobs reportedly told his biographer that he had "finally cracked" the puzzle of how to create a TV that would have a simple UI, as well as wirelessly sync content with other iDevices.
In 2012, current CEO Tim Cook hinted at the possibility of Apple venturing into TVs in the near term and revealed that it was an area of "intense interest" for the company as the Cupertino giant was looking to add products that can ride on the success of iPhones, Macs and iPads.
"We are going to keep pulling the string and see where this takes us," said Cook at the time.
With Apple's iPad Air and iPad mini 2 introduced on October 22, iFans will hope that the company launches the much-awaited Apple TV soon.
