sbjforever

Is the End of the Cable Box Near?

One day the set-top box will go the way of the Dodo. And the sooner the better. The brain of such devices of course resides in the software. Stuff that chains the viewer to the whims of the cable company, tells the box and the subscriber what to do and what can and cannot be done.

Apple TV could be attached to the TV set today (retaining clips, power outlet, HDMI panel on the back panel) so as to appear as if part of it. A more mature version of the device could be built right in. You couldn't do that so easily with the relatively humungous set-top box. Trouble is, there is stuff in the box - remote control, satellite set-up, channel authorization, selection, billing, display etc, that is must have stuff too.

Don't look for Apple to be producing such a union themselves although such strategy must be the subject of keen debate within the company. Rather, they would strike up partnerships with set manufactures and cable-satellite companies - much as Sony is trying to do today. Compelling content will decide the winners.

One thing is certain, Apple TV must have a screen. And to content hungry viewers, increasingly, their dumb TV needs an Apple.