Apple TV Release is Likely Won’t Happen in Q2 2012

05 Feb 2012 | News | Miss Hello Kitty on Google+

While rumors still swirl that Apple is going to launch a connected TV set, a new report states it’s highly unlikely that the Apple TV release will happen in the Q2 of 2012 due to the fact that Sharp has small production of the IGZO panels reportedly bound for the device.

It was reported on Friday that, in accordance to industry sources, there is a “low chance” that Apple TV release is going to be next quarter. Tipsters explained there were no signs showing that Sharp company is ready to ship Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide panels to Apple. 

The report continued to note that Sharp’s “seems not ready” to start shipping bigger IGZO panels, even though its 8G production lines are able to delivering 32-, 46- and 55-inch panels. Deliver rates were listed as a main problem for the company.

The panel developer reported at the beginning of February that it intends to turn its attention away from commodity LCD panels and concentrate seriously on ramping up IGZO production.

Mikio Katayama, company president, was recently asked about Apple TV rumors and release plans, but he refused to comment.

Even though Sharp’s LCD TV business was successful in the first half of its financial year, which ran from April to September, an unexpected change in demand last fall led to a quick decline. Mikio said the Japanese LCD TV market on the value basis reduced to 20% of its year-ago size in the Q3.

If previous reports should be believed, Apple’s iPad 3 may be the first of its products to sport IGZO panels. A number of sources have mentioned that the technology will be put into the next iPad, along with rumors that iPad 3 gets 4G, even though one report out of Korea stated recently that Sharp had failed in its first supply and wouldn’t offer displays for the rumored tablet, which is likely to arrive in March.

In addition Apple has said to be invested in Sharp’s production services as part of their partnership. The Wall Street Journal sources mentioned last November that the iPad producer had provided an indefinite amount for Sharp’s Kameyama #2 plant inJapan. Some earlier rumors had said that Apple would pay a “large portion” of the $1.2 billion set aside for a new manufacturer.