AppleInsider recently reported on a patent filing by Apple Inc. that indicates the company may be planning to add DVR capabilities to its slow-to-gain-traction Apple TV product:

A series of Apple patent filings published this week reveal a version of the Apple TV media device capable of browsing and recording live television programming in addition to serving up pre-aired content from the company's iTunes Store.

Originally filed back in October of 2006, the filings clearly show considerable work on the part of the electronics maker to create an alternative to products like the TiVo digital video recorder (DVR), complete with a searchable on-screen guide and configurable touch-based remote control device that would serve as a portable program guide.

While I don't own any type of Apple product, I believe that a DVR product infused with Apple's world-class design and usability expertise could be an interesting and welcome addition to the DVR marketplace. TiVo seems to get all the media and online praise when it comes to DVRs, but I always felt that TiVo sacrificed utility and power in favor of ease of use. In effect, TiVo panders to the technophobic and gives short shrift to more savvy consumers.

So, it would be interesting to see how Apple might tilt the balance toward the DVR power user, without leaving the casual user in the dust -- it seems to me that this is what Apple does best.

But I suspect that the chances of Apple actually delivering a mainstream DVR product are close to zero. The best DVRs are joined at the hip to a content delivery system, as evidenced by the fact that TiVo's brightest moments -- both financially and from a product realization standpoint -- occurred during its partnership with DirecTV. It's little wonder that TiVo has struggled mightily since its relationship with DirecTV headed south.

Apart from the iPhone, Apple has no history of playing nice with others, and even a souped-up Apple TV with Apple-inspired DVR wizardry would be a non-starter if all it does is record and play back over-the-air TV and iTunes store content.

Still, it's interesting to ponder the possibilities...and I highly recommend checking out the complete AppleInsider article for the user interface illustrations.

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