What is the future of TV?

I suspect Television Sets would just become screens for 'Set-top' boxes. And set-top boxes would become next battle ground for OS wars after mobile phones. Apple TV, MS IPTV/ Xbox, Sony PS3, Google Android and probably some new players would compete to come up with easy to use software that delivers content and information (through widgets?) ondemand with unique advertising models and innovative controllers that goes with the software.

It has to happen someday

A joost set top box, sitting in your living room next to your TV removing the hassle of connecting via a PC and a TV tuner. I guess there would be multiple manufacturers jumping on to the wagon, just like Skype phones. But I would love something from the Joost guys them selves with ultra sleek design and a fun controller.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/18/joost-evaluating-its-hardware-options/

Sure, there would be more devices with other online options other than Joost that would be popping up and I see a new market for set top boxes along side the xbox 360, wii, TiVo by next Christmas. And I hope one of them will hit the Bulls Eye, like Wii did, to make it to every living room and it would be from a player, who control the software and hardware. (Apple TV 2??)

Damn, they beat me to it!

Or sort of....
I've been writing about the broadband connected set top boxes taking over the living room.
There is a huge non gaming market that doesn't need all the power of PS3 or Xbox360, but need a solution to get content to the TV directly from the Internet without having to connect to another PC (like Apple TV/ Windows Media Center).

This Archos TV plus does exactly the same, a set top box connected to the TV that can download content directly and even browse the web and has a QWERTY remote controller.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/15/archos-tv-plus-details-hands-on/
Exactly what I prescribed. But the difference is where they can get the content from, just the Archos store, which would not help them gain any market.

I think, there is a Huge (with a capital H) market if they could tie up with Joost/ Opera and a couple of other big players to get more traction in the market.

Come on VJ, get the iceCUBE out of the door.