Josh OngAn anonymous source disclosed to The Globe and Mail that both Rogers and Bell "already have the product in their labs," the newspaper reported on Monday.
Another source familiar with the negotiations said Apple is open to working with multiple companies for its connected TV project, which some have dubbed the "iTV." The tipster indicated that Rogers and Bell had been approached by Apple during its search for partners.
“They’re not closed to doing it with one [company] or doing it with two,†the source said. “They’re looking for a partner. They’re looking for someone with wireless and broadband capabilities.â€
All of the companies involved declined to comment when contacted by the publication. Both Rogers and Bell already have an existing agreement with Apple to offer its iPhone device on their wireless networks.
The report characterized Apple's TV project as a "large-screen iPad" for living rooms, adding that the Siri voice-recognition assistant that debuted in the iPhone 4S will likely make its way into the rumored television. It also mentioned the use of "hand gestures" to control the device, though it didn't go into further detail on what exactly that would entail.
Insider tips that Rogers and Bell have working prototypes of the Apple television come quickly on the heels of an analyst report that specifically mentioned the two companies as likely to be on board with the project. Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said on Monday that Apple's best option may be to cooperate with existing cable operators.
“We believe it is likely to be offered by AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. and Bell and Rogers in Canada,†Misek said.
The as-yet-unconfirmed Apple television project also recently made headlines when it was revealed that Best Buy made mention in a recent survey of a "concept" 42-inch iOS-powered TV from Apple. The questionnaire said the device "finally reinvents what a TV can do" and suggested it would be priced at $1,499, support iCloud, feature remote control via iPad or iPhone, and sport an "iSight" camera and microphone.
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78 Comments
Apple needs to find the source of these leaks and fire the employees or drop the vendors responsible
Really hard to believe apple would be handing out prototype's of unreleased products, unless the post-Jobs Apple doesn't give a shit about secrecy.
How exactly would a Verizon/At&T serviced television work?
Apple needs to find the source of these leaks and fire the employees or drop the vendors responsible
I hope it's legit. I hope Apple has given these guys actual televisions with Apple TV hardware inside.
And then they NEVER RELEASE IT. They just release an updated Apple TV. And yeah, then all these leakers get punished.
"But why build it into a TV if they were only ever going to release the box?"
To have complete control over the testing environment in which the box resides. Simple.
I hope it's legit. I hope Apple has given these guys actual televisions with Apple TV hardware inside.
And then they NEVER RELEASE IT. They just release an updated Apple TV. And yeah, then all these leakers get punished.
"But why build it into a TV if they were only ever going to release the box?"
To have complete control over the testing environment in which the box resides. Simple.
I hope it's true actually (as I'd love one) and that the rumored 42 inch is the baby of a range going up to at least 60 inch if not beyond. The price rumored in earlier articles seems a but steep for a 42 inch to me if Apple want to own this market too in a couple of years.
Its one thing to leak stuff on a forum board where you could be just writing BS and another thing to leak it to a newspaper. The best Buy leak is a control leak for disinformation, but this is serious leakage.
shame...