iCloud Is A Further Evidence Of Releasing Apple Television Late 2012

The recently unveiled iCloud service, which will help to share content between different devices, is seen by a leading analyst as even better evidence that Apple is readying to release a high-definition TV set in late 2012.

On Thursday Gene Munster with Piper Jaffray repeated his long-time stance that Apple is developing its own full-blown television set, instead of just set-top box like the Apple TV.

He said in a note to investors: "Apple's iCloud service for media storage makes it easier to own multiple devices and share content among them. At first the only media iCloud will store is music and pictures, but we believe Apple may add movies and TV shows purchased or rented in iTunes to the iCloud service, which could be viewed on a TV."

Actually, last month it was reported that Apple conducted negotiations with television and movie studios, attempting to allow users to re-download purchased media content on various devices. At present, iCloud allows customers to get music that they have already bought via the App Store or iTunes Store.

Recent report read that the release of iOS-powered high-definition TV set is planned later this year, but Munster considers that a successor to the Apple TV set-top box should be expected in late 2012.

Gene Munster thinks that as the release of a rumored television set approaches, Apple may open up the current iOS-powered Apple TV to third-party developers. He thinks that an official App Store for the Apple TV will open next year.

"The final step would be bringing the Apple TV software and the App Store to an Apple Television," he said. "Apple's expertise in software and apps would be a strong differentiator for the company in the television market."

Munster stated that the Apple television could bring the company $2.5 billion, which is 2 percent, to Apple’s income in 2012, rising to $4 billion in 2013.