For years now, Apple (News - Alert) has been planning on producing its own full-fledged high-definition television set. All signs point to a potential 2012 release; in fact, shipment was to take place soon, but according to inside sources, there will be a delay for a quarter 2 (Q2) launch.

The company has recently partnered with Sharp (News - Alert) to make the TFT-LCD panels for Apple’s upcoming iOS-dedicated HDTV, the so-called “iTV,” to allow users to sync with other Apple devices and with iCloud. Apple has already started preparing materials for the HDTV in the first quarter. Yet Apple's rumored iOS-dedicated HDTV will not launch in the second quarter but possibly in the third quarter of 2012.

Speculation points to Sharp as the reason for the delay. Sources say that Sharp is not ready to begin shipping the indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) panels back to Apple for its upcoming iTV production line. As a result, the IGZO panels that are needed for the production of iTV sets have caused the delay for a Q2 launch. 

Presently, Apple is expecting the production of its anticipated television set to begin this month, February, at a Sharp plant in Japan. There appears to be a delay at Sharp, the facility in Osaka, Japan, possibly due to the yield rates of Sharp's IGZO display panels, but Mikio Katayama, the president of Sharp, had no comment on the matter. The delay has placed the iTV set ready for a mid-2012 launch. Stay informed about the actual launch date of the iTV and for more news on the Apple TV at AppleInsider.com.

Looking back to where it all began, it was Steve Jobs’ (News - Alert) idea to come out with an Apple-branded TV, namely an Apple Smart TV that would simplify the way users interact with a TV; a user-friendly television set with a simple interface, no remote control, and that was speech-powered. With all these characteristics, plus being able to stream content from the Internet onto the Siri-powered HDTV, no wonder there is so much talk about Apple’s iTV these days. All the public knows for certain is that Apple’s long-rumored television is becoming a reality, and it shall enter the HDTV market some time later this year, says Piper Jaffray, who has published a research report on Apple’s TV exploration.

What’s expected? The iTV will come in three screen sizes: 24-inches, 32-inches, and 55-inches. There are talks, however, about Apple having also screen sizes of 15- to 19-inch (touchscreens) and 42- and 50-inch sets. To know for certain on what Apple plans to sell, go to the official website at Apple.com.