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Hot rumor: Apple developing LCD HDTV with built-in networking, Apple TV?

Just in case you wanted a new Apple rumor that didn't involve updated MacBooks and building laptops out of aluminum bricks, here's an inevitable-seeming one from tech guru Jason Calacanis, who tells our sister site CNET UK that Apple is planning an LCD-based HDTV that would sport built-in networking and (naturally) Apple TV.Considering everyone is clamoring to stream digital content into the living room (or bedroom, etc.
Written by Sean Portnoy, Contributor

Just in case you wanted a new Apple rumor that didn't involve updated MacBooks and building laptops out of aluminum bricks, here's an inevitable-seeming one from tech guru Jason Calacanis, who tells our sister site CNET UK that Apple is planning an LCD-based HDTV that would sport built-in networking and (naturally) Apple TV.

Considering everyone is clamoring to stream digital content into the living room (or bedroom, etc.) and Apple TV hasn't been an iPod/iPhone-type success yet, it isn't difficult envisioning that the company would take the extra step and bundle Apple TV's functionality with an HDTV itself. After all, it's not like there's a lot of proprietary tech on the panel-making side of things that would prevent Apple from offering a competitive display in terms of performance. On the other hand, the relatively level field in terms of panel quality means that HD sets are becoming even more competitive in price than ever. In other words, can Apple really keep margins up on a product that's becoming more and more of a mere commodity?

Clearly, Apple has done increasingly well with that model—offering its design flair and je ne sais quoi at premium prices—in the computer market, but could it carry over to the TV world. Would you buy a networked TV from Apple at Apple's usual price markup? Or, to put it another way, what would Apple need to offer in order to get you to consider its HDTV compared to any other manufacturer's set?

[Via Gizmodo]

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