How Apple Might Revolutionize TV

Apple

is expected to release its own TV set within the next year or two, but only if it can

. Without them, analysts believe that Apple's TV will not be successful.

Since it could take a while to acquire content from the likes of Sony

, Disney

, Time Warner

, CBS

and other entertainment companies, one analyst believes that Apple is going to position its iOS devices as "interactive TV command centers." "With iCloud, we don't see any reason why Apple wouldn't eventually allow an iPad to be an interface for the TV — to perform basic computing tasks with a virtual keyboard like checking emails and calendars, surfing websites, editing your PhotoStream and even chat with iMessage," Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes told

. "These tasks would clearly infringe further on tasks usually earmarked for desktops and laptops -- and the iPad and Apple TV combination doesn't even require Apple to get into the TV market." Benzinga

in January, writing, "Users should be able to control smart televisions with an iPad. Surely Apple will save the best integration for its own television set. But by the time that item is released, the iPad 4 could be here! Why wait until then for true TV integration?" If the current rumors are any indication, the fifth- or sixth-generation iPad could arrive

before Apple is ready to release its first television set. In August,

suggested that Apple may entirely abandon its TV plans and build a cable box instead. Whatever Apple decides, one thing remains clear: from now until the next product is released, bloggers and analysts will continue to speculate.