Foxconn Likely to Win Contract for Building Apple Television Set

bits applesiri blog480Following up on yesterday's report claiming that Apple's supply chain is set to begin gearing up for the introduction of 32-inch and 37-inch television sets in 2012, Digitimes now claims to have received more information about companies likely to play roles in supplying components for the products. Among the highest-profile companies involved in the rumors is Apple's primary iOS device manufacturing partner, Foxconn, which is said to also be likely to win the contract for assembly of the television set products.

Following sources' claims that Samsung Electronics and Sharp will manufacture chips and displays, respectively, for the so-called Apple "iTV," others have suggested that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) and Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) have the potential to win orders for Apple's smart TV.

Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) likely will obtain assembly orders for the Apple smart TV, according to industry sources.

The report goes on to note that Apple is expected to finalize the device design by the end of the second quarter and launch the television sets by the end of the year, claims which are slightly at odds with yesterday's report citing a launch targeted for the second or third quarter.

Separately, AppleInsider and Forbes report on a new research note from Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu, who suggests that Apple may be interested in disrupting the television industry on the content side by launching its own à la carte live television programming services.

"This is obviously much more complicated (than current offerings) from a licensing standpoint," Wu wrote in a note to investors on Wednesday. "And in our view, would change the game for television and give AAPL a big leg-up against the competition."

Hardware and technology are not the issues holding back Apple from releasing a television set, he said. Instead, Apple must negotiate unique content deals that will allow the company to differentiate its product from other televisions on the market.

Apple has been said to have developed "new technology" for delivering video content to televisions, and had previously been rumored to be expressing interest in shaking up television with "best of television" subscription packages through iTunes. Resistance from content providers had, however, forced Apple to put those plans on hold.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iPhone 16 Pro Max 80% Charge Limit: One Year Later, Was It Worth It?

Wednesday September 24, 2025 3:58 pm PDT by
With the iPhone 15 series, I did an experiment and kept my iPhone's Charge Limit set at 80 percent for an entire year. It provided an interesting look at the impact of charge limits on battery longevity, so I decided to repeat it for the iPhone 16 line. Since September 2024, my iPhone 16 Pro Max has been limited to an 80 percent charge, with no cheating. As of today, my battery's maximum...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Thursday September 25, 2025 1:11 pm PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept based on rumors This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report last month, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform ...
AirPods Pro 3 Newsroom

Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3

Wednesday September 24, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Apple's annual "Back to School" promotion for students ends soon, so act fast if you want to score free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad. Until Tuesday, September 30, college students and qualifying educational staff in the U.S. can receive free AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation when they purchase an eligible new Mac or iPad from Apple. This is a $179 value. ...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

Skipped the iPhone 17 Pro? Here's What is Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro

Tuesday September 23, 2025 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still a year away, there are already a few rumors about the devices that offer an early look ahead. Below, we have recapped some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far. This story was published previously, and it has been updated to reflect the latest rumors. Many early rumors prove to be true, but nothing is confirmed yet, and Apple's...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Update for iPhones Coming Soon — Here's What to Expect

Thursday September 25, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. MacRumors has also seen evidence of iOS 26.0.1 in its visitor logs in recent days. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 1

Monday September 22, 2025 12:44 pm PDT by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about. New Apple Intelligence Languages Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPo...
apple tv 4k new orange

Next Apple TV Expected to Launch This Year With These New Features

Monday September 22, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
The next Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Likely Features N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7 Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is...
Apple More Personal Siri Ad

Apple Responds to U.S. Class Action Lawsuit Over Delayed Siri Features

Friday September 26, 2025 6:57 am PDT by
In March, Apple delayed the launch of its personalized Siri features, and soon after the company was hit with multiple class action lawsuits over the situation. The plaintiffs said they never would have purchased an iPhone 16, or would have paid less, had they known Apple's marketing about the Siri features was false. In the U.S., all of the complaints were consolidated into one class...

Top Rated Comments

Consultant Avatar
180 months ago
it would be funny if it's just a rumor Apple spread so other companies would copy. Then next year, boom the new $99 Apple TV box.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KnightWRX Avatar
180 months ago
Separately, AppleInsider (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/12/28/apple_wants_to_offer_television_subscribers_customized_channel_lineups.html) and Forbes (http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2011/12/28/apple-sterne-agee-concurs-with-tv-set-speculation/) report on a new research note from Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu, who suggests that Apple may be interested in disrupting the television industry on the content side by launching its own à la carte live television programming services.Apple has been said to have developed "new technology" (https://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/25/apple-developing-new-technology-for-delivering-video-content/) for delivering video content to televisions, and had previously been rumored to be expressing interest in shaking up television with "best of television" (https://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/02/apple-pitching-itunes-subscriptions-to-tv-networks/) subscription packages through iTunes.
I still don't get what any of that has to do with an Apple TV Set. A set top box, that I can buy for 99$ and plug into my existing TVs would still give me Siri, would still give me iTunes content distribution, would still give me a way to control all other peripherals (CEC over HDMI already exists) and all the other stuff people can come up with.

Either Apple is just doing a dumb monitor like all other TVs or they are forsaking a ton of people that would come aboard with a 99$ set top box but won't if they have to buy a whole TV. That, or there's something all these reports, rumors and analyst still haven't pinpointed where an actual TV set makes sense.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ILikeTurtles Avatar
180 months ago
I still don't get what any of that has to do with an Apple TV Set. A set top box, that I can buy for 99$ and plug into my existing TVs would still give me Siri, would still give me iTunes content distribution, would still give me a way to control all other peripherals (CEC over HDMI already exists) and all the other stuff people can come up with.

Either Apple is just doing a dumb monitor like all other TVs or they are forsaking a ton of people that would come aboard with a 99$ set top box but won't if they have to buy a whole TV. That, or there's something all these reports, rumors and analyst still haven't pinpointed where an actual TV set makes sense.

You are "spot-on" sir!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
theheadguy Avatar
180 months ago
This is how apple comes to market? with a 32-inch TV? I'm sorry, but colour me unimpressed.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nuvi Avatar
180 months ago
In all honesty, why on earth would Apple start manufacturing TV's. :apple:TV hasn't been huge success so why would "set top box built into a monitor" be any different. Anyway, all the major players in TV set business manufacture their own panels in their own factories to achieve better profit margins with attractive price point. Honestly, why would Apple want to compete in that market?

I might be totally wrong but I think Apple will never release a TV set. There will be more capable :apple:TV set top boxes but never TV sets.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ZipZap Avatar
180 months ago
If the sets are only 32" and 37" this is an immediate fail.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)