Recently, rumors have surfaced that Apple will soon launch a television - iTV - and now reports suggest that Apple's iPhone and iPad assembly partner Hon Hai Precision Industry is on its way to test several designs of the purported iTV.

According to Focus Taiwan News Channel, sources near to Hon Hai Precision have reported that Apple is testing a television between 46 inches and 55 inches.

Focus Taiwan also reports that Hon Hai, one of the world's largest contract electronic makers, is the main assembler of iPhones and iPads and, therefore, a contract to assemble a television for Apple does not look out of scope.

"Nevertheless, the source said it is unlikely that shipments of the appliances will begin as soon as the end of next year. The source also predicted that Apple TV shipments could be huge and that new Apple TV-related products might be put on display at the well-known international consumer electronics trade fair, CES, to be held in Las Vegas in January," reported Focus Taiwan.

The sources who reported the news of Apple iTV to Focus Taiwan also indicated the possibility of Sharp making the display panel for Apple iTV is not very high. The source also said that the flat panels for the television are in the range of 46 inches to 55 inches, which means that an exclusive display panel supply from Sharp is not necessary.

However, a Hon Hai source said Apple's expected iTV will probably use flat display panels produced by either Japanese or Taiwanese suppliers.

"We have not yet confirmed the LCD panel supply source with our client," noted the Hon Hai source.

Apple CEO Tim Cook told NBC News recently that the company's interest in TV has grown beyond a "hobby." Cooke also added "It's an area of intense interest."

Apple has revolutionized the tablet market with the launch of iPads. If rumors are to be believed and the company launches its televisions will it be as popular like its other iDevices?