Apple to Launch iTV With 'iRing' Controller Later This Year [Analyst]

Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White is joining Gene Munster in predicting that Apple will finally release a television this year.

“Our meeting with an [sic] tech supply chain company suggests to us that a full blown Apple ‘iTV’ will launch in the latter part of 2013,” White wrote in a note to investors on Wednesday. “Clearly, there has been plenty of mis-guided speculation around the timing of the Apple’s ‘iTV’ launch and we believe that this is largely due to changes by Apple, most recently around the creation of entirely new user interface aesthetics.”

Notably, White predicts that Apple will launch its television with a 'iRing' controller that is placed on your finger. It's also said that the iPad will function as a second screen for the television.


BGR obtained the note which can be read below:

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The “iTV” ecosystem represents a major innovation for the $100 billion LCD TV industry that will revolutionize the TV experience forever, in our view. First of all, we believe “iTV” will be 60-inches in size (but could also include 50-55 inch options). Secondly, we believe Apple will release a miniature device called “iRing” that will be placed on a user’s finger and act as a navigation pointer for “iTV”, enhancing the motion detection experience and negating some of the functionality found in a remote.

Thirdly, “iTV” will come with a “mini iTV” screen that will seamlessly allow users to view content on this smaller, 9.7-inch screen, while also opening up use cases around home security, phone calls, video conferencing and other areas. As part of this experience, Siri and FaceTime will be important. Essentially, we believe the “mini iTV” screens will be able to capture content from the 60-inch “iTV” across a distance of up to 200 meters, allowing a user to view “iTV” content in the kitchen, washroom, garage, bedroom, backyard, etc. We believe Apple will offer one “mini iTV” per “iTV” but package options will include up to four screens (i.e., one screen is part of the standard package and pay extra for each additional). While the “mini iTV” screens will be similar in size compared to the iPad, and thus allow for some manufacturing efficiencies, the capabilities and features will be very basic and thus not an iPad replacement.

Furthermore, we believe “iWatch” will be an important part of the “iTV” ecosystem, tapping into “iTV” services in a much more mobile friendly manner, complementing the “iRing”. The interaction between “iTV” and making phone calls will be an important feature of this experience, while the “iWatch” and “iRing” will provide increased mobility around the home, supplanting the need to carry a smartphone around the house. Finally, we believe consumers will pay approximately $1,500 to $2,500 for the “iTV” package. The price will be based on the number of “mini iTV” screens in the package and the screen size of the “iTV”. Also, we are being told that “iTV” could be subsidized by certain service providers to expand the market opportunity.
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A week ago, DigiTimes also reported that Apple was developing an Ultra-HD (3840x2160) television to be called the 'iTV'. The television was said to feature voice and motion control, as well as, Internet connectivity.

[via BGR]