We’ve all heard this before — Apple is planning on releasing a television set that will supposedly revolutionize the way we watch television. But the news about what used to be pure speculation at one point is becoming more tangible every time we hear about it. Now Taiwan’s Central News Agency is reporting that Foxconn, who is Apple’s manufacturing partner, is working with the company to test designs for Apple television sets that range from 46 to 55 inches.

Hon Hai, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, has declined to respond to the reports, saying that it never comments on specific business deals with any single client.

However, the Hon Hai source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the initial phase of tests on the TVs has kicked off.

Nevertheless, the source said it is unlikely that shipments of the appliances will begin as soon as the end of next year.

The report is also claiming that Apple might be looking to show off these new television sets as early as next month, during CES in Las Vegas. Apple has traditionally used its own media events to unveil new products, but this is a completely new market segment that might need a different kind of introduction. However, the company has no good reason not to use their own event as an introduction because the publicity and attention those events generate is nothing to scoff at either.

The source also notes that the television sets are unlikely to launch in 2013. Because Apple likes to make announcements close to release, we might not be seeing an announcement or launch next year at all. One thing’s for sure, however — those Apple television sets are coming.

[via MacRumors, Central News Agency (Taiwan)]