Latest Apple iTV rumors: Siri and motion controls built in, Best Buy polls consumers on price

The Toronto Globe and Mail is reporting that a pair of Canadian carriers is in talks with Apple about partnering for its rumored television set (becoming unofficially known more and more as iTV), and that Rogers Communications and BCE already have prototypes in their office for testing.

The paper's sources claim that the TV can be controlled by both Siri-like voice commands and hand gestures (a la Microsoft's Kinect). That level of control extends to an on-screen keyboard that allows users to interact with the Internet while using the set. In addition, iPhone and iPad owners would be able to control the set through an app on their devices.

Meanwhile, Best Buy has set off a bit of a firestorm when it was disclosed on The Verge that the electronics retailer was surveying its customers about their interest in a potential Apple iTV. As you can see from the image below, Best Buy lists potential specs -- 42-inch LED, iCloud support, built-in webcam, though no Siri or motion controls -- and a potential price -- $1,499.

Considering the veil of secrecy Apple places over its products, it seemed like the leaked survey was a colossal blunder. However, Wired magazine contacted Best Buy, which responded that its poll was "a routine offer effectiveness survey conducted by one of Best Buy’s research partners. Any brand reference was hypothetical." The company has since pulled the survey.

It's highly doubtful that Best Buy would disclose any Apple iTV specs before its release, but the fact that it felt compelled to gauge consumer interest in the product does suggest that we'll be seeing it sooner than later. Whether it will come with those exact specs, or that exact price, will continue to be fodder for the rumor mill until Apple finally unveils the television.

Image: The Verge