Report: Apple working with Sharp on iTV

Amid its deteriorating relationship with Korea-based Samsung, Apple Inc. may be taking in Japan’s Sharp for next-generation displays in its devices such as the iPad 3, iPhone 5, and iTV.   Tech site Mashable quoted Jefferies analyst Peter Misek as saying the iTV, a smart TV of sorts, is “real” and that Sharp is working on modified amorphous TFT LCD panels for it.   Mashable quoted Misek as saying iTV may even be ready for commercial production by February 2012, while earlier rumors suggest a release between late 2012 and early 2013.   But it said it is not sure such a device will be realized by 2012, saying Apple may need to give up part of the interface control to other parties.   “To give its customers a full TV experience, Apple would have to come up with a remote that supports its other consumer electronics devices, and give up a part of the interface control to other parties, such as cable companies,” it said.   On the other hand, it said there is always a chance Apple is working on something revolutionary, which would likely make other TV manufacturers cringe in pain.   “Other TV manufacturers have begun a scrambling search to identify what iTV will be and do ... Mainstream TV manufacturers are likely to be at least 6 to 12 months behind in a best-case scenario,” said Misek. — RSJ, GMA News