Canadian operator Rogers Communications and BCE are in talks with Apple to become launch partners for Apple iTV, a new product in the connected TV market, the Globe and Mail reports. The product reportedly integrates Siri, Apple's voice-recognition software that acts as a personal assistant on the latest iPhone, into TV sets to help viewers make programming choices. Viewers can then control the TV by voice or hand gestures. An on-screen keyboard can also be activated in a similar manner, allowing viewers to surf the web, conduct video chats and use social media sites, all without any physical interface. The paper's sources said Apple is looking for a partner with mobile and broadband capabilities and is not averse to launching with more than one partner. Rogers and Bell reportedly already have the product in their labs. All three companies declined comment.
