Can Future iPads Cannibalize TV Purchases?

We live in a world where trends and likes can change on a dime. Years ago, having a big screen TV was the coolest thing ever, but now it’s commonplace. We used to never imagine walking around with robust mobile computers, but that’s also commonplace. We never thought of using our cell phones for much more than making phone calls, and well… enough said. But can future iPads actually cannibalize TV usage and sales?

When I first read the headline for this article, I thought it was a ridiculous notion. But then I realized that I am not like most other people. I couldn’t imagine using a tablet for a television, but I was also the sort of person who couldn’t imagine gaming in a Web browser or on a cell phone. Patrick Moorhead, former AMD executive turned industry analyst, states that current trends will see something like this happen in the not-too-distant future.

He points out that TV-viewing used to be all about spending time together, as a family or with friends, whereas over time, it increasingly became a solo activity. As sad as some may find it (me, included), families aren’t spending as much time with each other as they used to, as members go off to do their own thing. Imagine if instead of a 75″ television, each family member had an iPad to do whatever they wanted on? That’s the idea here.

Pat also mentions that things do need to change for this to happen, such as achieving lighter devices. I’m not too sure that will matter, however, as even without anything in your hands, extending your arms for a long period of time can begin to get to you. This might be the kick-off of the laziest tech generation yet, where everyone has to lie down and prop a device on their stomachs!

What do you guys think? Any chance of this happening – with you, or in general?