While the company has said nothing about this possibility, buy-side analysts keep picking up tidbits from the Asia tech press and from the Taiwanese supply chain that suggest something is up. The latest nugget comes from Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White, who points to a report on the Chinese language web site 21cbh.com that says contract manufacturer Hon Hai expects to start receiving LCD TV panels from Sharp in Q3, rather than Q4 as originally planned. White notes that Hon Hai had invested in Sharp earlier this year to secure LCD panels that White contends are intended for production of Apple-branded TVs. The story apparently concludes that Apple could have a TV ready to go by the holiday season.
"A holiday launch would make for a very merry holiday season for Apple and consumers," White writes in a research note. "We believe the pieces are in place for a launch soon, driving an entirely new $100 billion market opportunity or higher (given a higher ASP at Apple), while further strengthening the company's digital grid and providing customers with a new TV experience. "
One other note. White says he learned on a recent trip to Taipei that Apple plans to use "a special type of motion detection technology on the future full blown Apple TV, rather than touch technology." He adds that "contacts indicate a unique remote control with a touch panel form factor that looks similar to the iPad would be used to control the device," adding that "the bezel is expected to be a plastic composition, rather than the aluminum unibody exterior that surrounds the MacBook Air."
If Apple can take just 2% of the LCD TV market, White calculates, the company can generate $10 billion in sales and adding $1.50 to $2 in EPS.
