Apple To Launch 4K Ultra HD TV With Voice & Motion Control In Early 2014 [Rumor]

Apple is gearing up to send its much-anticipated “iTV” into mass production during the second half of this year, according to sources in the Cupertino company’s supply chain, who have been speaking to DigiTimes. The set will reportedly boast a 4K “Ultra HD” display with a 3840×2160 resolution, and it’ll be controlled by voice and motion.

Apple is already in talks with Foxconn and could launch the iTV by the end of 2013, the sources claim, but the company is currently facing difficulties in obtaining 4K panels.

Most of the companies currently manufacturing them are already at full capacity, meeting demand from TV vendors based in China. Furthermore, the panel makers already in Apple’s supply chain are “expected to allocate most of their panel production to the company’s iPhone, iPad and iPad mini products instead,” the report claims.

However, it’s believed Apple is banking on LG Display to take on mass production of Ultra HD panels by the second half of this year. If LG Display can provide an ample supply, then we could see the iTV before the end of the year — but it’s more likely it’ll arrive in early 2014, according to DigiTimes.

Given Apple’s increased focus on high-resolution displays in recent years, launching an iTV with a 4K resolution doesn’t sound out of the question. Having said that, the 4K televisions we’ve seen from other manufacturers so far all come with massive price tags, rarely dipping below $20,000.

It’s also worth noting that DigiTimes hasn’t exactly been a trusted source of information lately — particularly when it comes to Apple rumors. So we always advise you to take them with a healthy helping of salt.

The most recent report regarding Apple’s television came from The Wall Street Journal back in December, which said that Apple was still in the “early stage” of testing the new set, and that it wasn’t even a “formal project” yet. This suggested the iTV could still be several years away from launch — if Apple decides to pursue it; there’s still a chance it could be dropped.

Source: cultofmac.com