There are some rumours that just never seem to die. While one of the more persistent rumours of recent months has been the notion that Microsoft is planning to launch its own Windows Phone handset, another old chestnut has just resurfaced in a completely different arena of the tech world.
It"s been speculated for months - years, in fact - that Apple is planning to build its own television. Rumours have swirled of ultra-thin displays of varying sizes, gesture control, flawless Siri voice interaction and plenty more besides. Yet despite the periodic resurgence of the hearsay and whispers that get the tech community in a frenzy over such a device, the only Apple TV we"ve seen so far has been the tiny little box that plugs into "conventional" TV sets - a device that Apple has never really seemed keen to promote beyond its "hobby" status, despite regular updates and enhancements.
Not actually a TV.
But it"s that time again, as the rumour mill begins to churn and the grapevine starts to wilt under the weight of rumour and wishful thinking. Business Insider picked up on an analyst"s note written by James Kisner from Jefferies & Company to cable technology company Arris, in which he refers to an Apple TV set being "imminent".
Our discussions with industry contacts suggest that at least one major N American MSO [multiple system operator] is working to estimate how much additional capacity may be needed for a new Apple device on their broadband data network. We believe this potentially suggests an imminent launch of the Apple TV."
Now, before we all get too excited about the arrival of the mythical device being just around the corner, let"s just remind ourselves that a year ago - almost to the day - an analyst note from Jefferies indicated that Apple"s new HDTV would be going into production in February 2012, ahead of a launch in the middle of this year. And if you"re starting to feel a sense of déjà vu here, let"s also remember that an analyst note from Jefferies in August 2012 stated that the Apple "iTV" was already in full production.
Still, if you say something enough times, perhaps the law of averages will make you right in the end.
Source: Business Insider | Image via Apple