Prototypes of Apple televisions reportedly 'in the works'

A few days ago we reported that Steve Jobs’ final project was an integrated Apple HDTV. This was said in reference to a biography written about Apple’s co-founder Walter Issacson. Adding fuel to the fire that this could definitely be a possibility is a report by analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, who back in August claimed that Apple would be launching an Apple television set by late 2012.

Could be launched as early as next year (Image mock-up)

Gene Munster is back at it again and in a report by Fortune, the analyst states that prototypes of these Apple television sets are already in the works. The analyst lists points indicating why he believes that these sets would be available by next year.  He states, “Based on Jan-11 meetings in Asia (not with component suppliers), we believe Apple is investing in manufacturing facilities and securing supply for LCD displays. These displays could range from 3.5" mobile displays to 50" television displays. More recently, in Sept-11 we met with a contact close to an Asian component supplier who indicated that prototypes of an Apple television are in the works. More recently, in US patent 7,865,927 published in Jan-11, Apple explores advanced TV broadcast menus. In these patents, Apple refers to a system that could "include a set-top box with or without a digital video recorder (DVR) (or, personal video recorder (PVR). In other example implementations, a display with built-in functionality (e.g, a television)."

This seems to confirm the fact about the line which Issacson mentions in the biography in which Steve Jobs says, “No longer would users have to fiddle with complex remotes for DVD players and cable channels. ‘It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it.” Munster believes that these HDTVs would cost approximately $1800 in 2012 and the price would gradually drop to $1400 by 2014.

Let us know your reactions about Apple launching a fully integrated television in the comments below.