I discount everything predicted by anal-cysts. . . however, if Apple adds an SSD to the AppleTV that would account for a doubling of the price from the original $99, allowing buffering of content. Also, an App Store means they are opening it up to being a gaming platform. Being that it is an iOS platform, all of those iOS games that have been around for years for iPhone and iPad will suddenly be playable on AppleTV without having to be streamed from an iPhone or iPad.
That could make the AppleTV one of the least expensive game consoles AND with a good capacity SSD, all the games would be downloadable. No need for cartridges or CD/DVD disk loading. Very much worth the price of admission. NOW, make it a Ala Carte cable system where you only get what you want instead of buying package deals that include 500 channels of 450 channels of junk to get the 50 you want. . . and paying more than you want because that's the only way you can get everything you want of the 50.
So, you'd be able to say "Siri, show me a list of action movies starring Bruce Willis that I haven't watched yet," and it would bring up that listing to allow you to select one for you to view. If you are on a slower internet connection, you could possibly then say "Sire, download "Die Hard with a Vengence" for watching later this evening." When you are ready to watch it, it will have been pre-loaded on the SSD (assuming that is what Apple has done) and you can watch without interruption for buffering halts.
I’m liking the way you are thinkin, Swordmaker!!! I think if Apple could put that together, they could truly get some respect they have been missing out on... and would sell a TON! If I could just get some solid bandwidth in this internet wasteland (though I live right in town), such a device would be absolutely perfect for our needs! Goodbye Satellite TV (DishNetwork)! Foot - for the $ saved, I might could get decent internet service!