Apple to debut Internet HDTV?

Apple is reportedly planning to unveil an Internet-connected HDTV that could hit the streets by the end of 2011, reports TG Daily.

Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White claims he has identified 'data points' indicating the definite possibility of a 'Smart TV' debut by Apple - possibly even before 2012.

“Our research suggests this Smart TV would go well beyond the miniature $99 second-generation Apple TV that the company released last fall and provide a full-blown TV product for consumers,” White explained in an investors' note.

According to the analyst, while Apple has long been projected to enter the HDTV market at some point, Cupertino now seems to be “moving down this pace at a faster pace” than originally expected.

According Apple Insider, White went on to say although Apple has long been projected by company watchers to enter the HDTV market, the Mac maker now appears to be “moving down this path at a faster pace than the market expected.”

“The combination of Apple's powerful ecosystem, industrial design savvy, powerful brand and ability to reinvent product categories could make Apple a powerful force in the TV world over the next few years,” he said.

It has been reported that Apple recently made a $3.9 billion supply investment in order to secure touch screen displays for future iPhones or iPads, a move that could possibly be to blame for the delay of the BlackBerry PlayBook, reveals PC Mag.

However, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster believes that is actually evidence of Apple's HDTV plans.

Munster says the Apple HDTV could be up to 50 inches and hit stores in beginning of 2012 at the earliest.