The iPad Accessory That Will Kill Apple TV

Should Apple manage to strike a Netflix-like partnership with the TV networks or the cable majors, then one can envisage a dumbed down "Apple TV-eqsue" accessory that could be used as a wireless charger for the iPad and a digital PVR at the same time, all for around £150.

The possibilities are endless. For one, you wouldn't need to buy any accessories outright to play telly. The iPad could be used as the base unit with the Apple TV Lite being used as a docking station and your iPhone or iPod Touch (or if you don't have one, the iPad will do) finding itself reduced to a remote control.

In addition, it would provide Apple with yet another major potential revenue stream in a similar fashion to the iPhone. Like Virgin Media or most content providers, content like TV shows may either be purchased, rented or consumed as part of a subscription.

Analysts at Telecom, Technology and media analyst firm Gerson Lehman Group, argue that Apple could potentially take on the likes of Comcast having now brought together the other piece of the puzzle; which makes sense when you consider the above arguments.

There are a number of questions that would still need to be answered. At what price would Apple sell the device? Should Apple sell it as a standalone device or an iPad accessory? How dependent should it be on the iPad? Will Apple wait until iTunes absorbs Lala's DNA before rolling out this integrated content management approach?