Cable TV iPad apps prove popular with customers

...I'm actually shocked the comcast apps are free

I can't wait to dump comcast for FiOS, if it ever becomes available where I live, and become a comcast-free household... however I have to give them their props, the iPhone and iPad Xfinity apps are superb!

Didn't Jobs say something on All Things D about how the problem with TV's is "another box" and how cable companies give their box for "free" so it is hard to make a value proposition to the customer.

Well it would seem Apple stumbled on the solution, or perhaps rather the cable companies have stumbled on it. Instead of taking on the TV directly, make a personal "TV" and insert cable app of choice.

Instead of trying to coax the cable companies or beat them, they have come all willingly.

As for the feelings about "just let me sign up without the cable", I think you will find this is the first salvo in a war between the cable companies and the content owners. Do you really think the cable companies -want- to manage national grids of cables, boxes and all the crap. They would make plenty more by not having infrastructure and just serving content.

I'm not sure how US cable infrastructure is setup but I imagine once you choose cable (a) it isn't just a box switch to cable (b), it is a whole new install. But once the cable companies use apps you can subscribe to (b) on (a's) cable.

The content owners will see the light and then get ready for cable wars.

Slingbox and be done with it.

Personally I am waiting for the day when I can download an app and subscribe to a network on my ipad, to watch anywhere. My viewing is broadcast only. Anything else I wait for the DVDs. but of those, most are on HBO and Showtime. At least on my must see first list. I love the idea of skipping the extra $60 a month to have the privilege of paying $15 a month each for those stations.

We have Dish Network and our DVR has a small optional usb box (more like a checkbook sized waffle) that adds Sling (TV Everywhere) to the mix. Works pretty good for $99 and gives full access to everything the DVR does - live tv and recordings. There are no monthly fees to use the device which is why I got it. Works on the iphone & ipad over 3g/wifi and computers. Not without it's faults, but so far very nice to have all the live channels and recordings. I'm finding that I record a lot more things than previously, because I can access them on demand while away.

This is all well and good, but it's also blurring the lines between your internet service and your cable TV service. Time Warner, Comcast et al are asserting a right for them to determine how to deliver content to you, but God forbid that you make the most of your internet connection to download or stream content while cutting your TV service. That's what bandwidth caps are for.

I'm waiting for it to come to AT&T U-Verse myself! They already have an iPad app, but it's still too slow (especially compared to the i.TV app that just came out). If they allowed shows to be streamed, it would be killer.

Now they just need to figure out how to offer cable without the cable, for the right price. Until then, Netflix, et al will continue to eat thier lunch. I cut my cable about a year ago and haven't missed it much.

You hear this, Verizon FiOS? Where are you? I don't want a remote control app, I want THIS.