According to a report published in the Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with the situation said that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) was working with component manufacturers in Asia to test out designs for its highly anticipated product — television set.
Some executives associated with Apple’s suppliers said that tech giant has been testing designs for its large-screen-high definition TVS.
According to WSJ, two people close to the developments said that Hon Hai Precision Industry, which assembles iPhones and iPads- has been closely collaborating with Japan’s Sharp Corp for several months to test out designs.
“It isn’t a formal project yet. It is still in the early stage of testing,” one of the sources said to WSJ.
Typically, Apple conducts research and development related activities on its own before collaborating with external suppliers. Nevertheless, Apple’s decision to work with outside suppliers at this juncture does not mean that company’s new foray will show positive results immediately.
For instance, it has been few years since Apple started testing its TV prototype; and there would not be any surprise should Apple decides not to advance with large-screen TV sets.
If Apple enters Television market then its competition with South Korean rival, Samsung Electronic will intensify even further. Already the two companies are having serious competition in the smartphone market. Currently, Samsung is world’s biggest TV-manufacturer by shipments.
Apple’s other nearest rival, Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG), has been developing software for TVs and set-top boxes; however, so far the tech giant struggled to gain foothold in the TV market.
Meanwhile, investors are bit of anxious as to Apple’s strategy on large screen TVs. Apple’s stock has been wobbly lately; and although iPhones and iPads are getting sold at a brisk pace, the company will need to introduce new products in order to keep its products’ popularity , intact.
Recently, Apple’s Chief Executive Tim Cook said that company’s interest in television has evolved beyond “hobby”. But has that “hobby” turned into area of intense interest? Tim Cook in an interview to NBC News said that that it has but refused to discuss anything beyond that.
“It’s an area of intense interest. I can’t say more than that,” Cook said.
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