Apple's 'iPanel' called 'far more than a TV,' expected to launch in 2012
A new report claims Apple's anticipated television set could be called "iPanel," portraying the product expected to launch later this year as "far more than a TV."
Analyst Peter Misek with Jefferies upped his price target for AAPL stock on Thursday to $800 on the prospect of a television set from Apple. His estimates now include an Apple television set, as he said he has "enough confidence" that the product will be launching in the fourth quarter of calendar 2012.
He said the name "iPanel" would be better for the product than "iTV," as the term TV gives a limited impression of what the rumored device will be able to do.
"It is a display, gaming center, media hub, computer, home automator, etc.," Misek said in justifying the "iPanel" name. "Also, Apple would likely have difficulty getting naming rights from the UK TV network ITV."
Rumors of an Apple product named "iTV" have lingered for years, and the name was previously tied to the company's set-top box, which remains known as the Apple TV. But the name ITV is also short for Independent Television, a British network that has been on the air since 1955 which broadcasts popular shows like "Downton Abbey."
Beyond the "iPanel" name, Misek believes the Apple television will have a $1,250 average selling price and 30 percent gross margins. He also believes that Apple will sell an additional iPad or iPhone per television set as part of the company's "halo effect," in which customers frequently buy into the Apple ecosystem and purchase more of the company's products.
Misek bases his increased confidence on a forthcoming Apple television on three key points. First, he believes the newly announced $800 million agreement between Foxconn and Sharp will play a key role in manufacturing the anticipated television set.
Second, Misek said his recent checks in China have indicated that specialty components for an Apple television have begun to ship to the company's suppliers. Specifically, polarized films, filters, and IGZO display components are reportedly being shipped in "small quantities."
Finally, Misek also said that his analysis of building permits and satellite images suggests that Apple is doubling the size of its massive North Carolina data center. Apple's plans to add a 4.8-megawatt fuel cell farm at the data center were revealed this week.
The analyst expects that Apple will begin commercial production of its forthcoming television set at some point in the months of May or June. He sees between 2 million and 5 million televisions being built in time for a launch at the end of 2012.
[ View article on AppleInsider ]
Comments
80" inch sharp oh oh yes.
A new report claims Apple's anticipated television set could be called "iPanel," portraying the product expected to launch later this year as "far more than a TV."
If this is a wish from Misek- the correct wording would be 'should".
And quite frankly- who cares what he'd like it to be called?
How about iScreen?
How about iMaginary?
How about iScreen?
What's with the "i" attached to it at all? I believe it was Steve who once said no one wants to search the internet on their living room wall.
How about iScreen?
I was thinking iVision myself.
... He said the name "iPanel" would be better for the product than "iTV," as the term TV gives a limited impression of what the rumored device will be able to do.
"It is a display, gaming center, media hub, computer, home automator, etc.," Misek said in justifying the "iPanel" name. ...
Unless it is also a multi-touch screen, "iPanel" would be a rather bad name IMO.
All the uses he lists are "screen" uses. "Panels" can traditionally be control panels as well.
"iScreen" would be more logical but "iTV" is best and it's really just a wild assumption on everyone's part that they can't use it because of that horrible British TV station IMO. I predict it will be "iTV".
bigger is better, so i'm hoping that iPanel refers to wall sized TV..
80" inch sharp oh oh yes.
Keep dreaming.
How about iMaginary?
iCan't!
I believe GE Healthcare has a product with that name, so this could be a problem for Apple.
Well then if it recognizes your face-
iMirror?
"watch this"?
Forget calling it iPanel. I am sure some Chinese fly by night company with the help of some corrupted officials will claim Apple violated their valuable IP of already invented and registered the name.
Just as Apple's telephone is the iPhone, their television would be the iVision!
...although the iPad isn't a telepad... that would be awesome
bigger is better, so i'm hoping that iPanel refers to wall sized TV..
80" inch sharp oh oh yes.
Don't forget the 4k resolution at that size!
well.. no chance in hell. almost that *2? yes.
"iScreen" would be more logical but "iTV" is best and it's really just a wild assumption on everyone's part that they can't use it because of that horrible British TV station IMO. I predict it will be "iTV".
I don't think it's a wild assumption. iTV has been very adamant and proactive in defending their name and posturing that they would never license it out, even to Apple. Knowing that Apple likes to have the same name World-Wide for their products, it's a TAME assumption.
iPanel works linguistically with their other products. They already have a "TV" product in Apple TV. This will have to differentiate itself entirely from what they've done before as a hobby. iPanel lets them do that.
I get what people are saying about Panels being interactive control centers. Perhaps one of Apple's inventions with this will be some sort of "Always On" display for home information. If they want it to be at the center of Home Automation, an "Always On" feature that uses minimal power will be important.