After a long hiatus, rumors of an Apple TV are back in the news this week.
Masahiko Ishino, an analyst at Advanced Research Japan Company, says that Apple will probably introduce a ultra-high def TV by the fourth quarter of 2014. That would mean a summertime release.
“It’ll probably be more of a smart monitor than what we think of as a TV,” said the analyst, according to the WSJ.
Ishino said the Apple TV would come in two sizes, 55″ and 65″, and would have a frameless design.
Probably the most surprising thing he mentioned was the price. $1,500 to $2,500. That seems pretty cheap for an Apple brand, ultra-high def, high tech, 55″ and 65″ TV set.
He also said that component suppliers would include LG and Samsung. The TV’s may also incorporate Corning’s Gorilla Glass.
Ishino did not divulge any sources for his information.
An Apple TV would be expected to sync content with other Apple devices, reported to be a long time goal of Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs.
Of course, this is not the first time that an Apple TV was expected to be in the works. Last summer (2012) there was lots of talk on the internet about an impending Apple TV launch. It never materialized.
One thing’s for sure though – analysts, investors, and shoppers are all expecting Apple to come out with a TV eventually.