In February, we covered Piper Jaffray's bold speculation that Apple may finally be gearing up to introduce an entirely new product as soon as 2012. Piper analyst Gene Munster proposed that Apple would use a sizable chunk of its component investments to develop large screen displays, probably for a connected Apple television set of at least 50-inches.

"While Apple's commitment to the living room remains a 'hobby,' we continue to believe the company will enter the TV market with a full focus, as an all-in-one Apple television could move the needle when connected TVs proliferate," Munster said in February. Within weeks, curious job postings at Apple began surfacing that hinted at large display screen development - more fuel for this rumor's fire.

Just today, Daily Tech reported that Apple is said to be partnering with a major OEM to sell iOS-powered, Apple-branded displays as soon as this fall. An unnamed former Apple executive, speaking on a condition of anonymity, revealed that Apple's "biggest upcoming product launch will be one that hasn't been made official yet -- Apple has plans to enter the TV business."

Although it presently sounds a little far-fetched to think that in a few months we can go into an Apple retail store and shop for a new flatscreen television, Gene Munster and others won't be the least bit surprised. Five months ago, Muster predicted that as many as 220 million flatscreen TVs will be sold next year alone, half of which are likely to be Internet-connected. If Munster's theories prove correct, Apple should have no problem making iOS-powered TVs a major hit in 2012.

Source: Daily Tech