That’s what a Piper Jaffray analyst believes, pointing to recent meetings in Asia that may suggest that Apple is investing in larger LCD displays. “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,” said analyst Gene Munster in a note to investors today.
Of course, it’s just a rumor, and Munster predicts the earliest anything could hit store shelves would be next year. But it would be a natural evolution for Apple, from audio to video, from iPads to TV sets. Not to mention an economic incentive to buy more iTunes video, download more apps and create a living room of seamlessly synchronized Apple devices.