I think that is where Microsoft is going with this. Right now, although the number is declining, the vast majority of Xbox users have a cable subscription in their home. And although the software focuses on cable TV right now, the HDMI-in port on the Xbox One can be used for any device -- a computer, an AppleTV, Chromecast, etc.

There are also many cable stations that are coming out with their own apps that allow you to watch their programming without using your cable box. ESPN is the best example, since you can stream ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 programming right to your Xbox (although it requires a cable subscription). FOX, NBC, HBO, and other stations have stand-alone iOS and Andriod apps, too, and I'm sure we'll see them make the leap to the Xbox One soon.

The future is having all these TV channel apps available for purchase without an overarching cable subscription. I think we'll get there in the next ten years, and the Xbox One guide will be able to integrate them all, along with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.

Microsoft wanted to find a better way to do TV integration without a cable box, but it's not possible as long as the cable companies and stations cannot be separated. But that'll change, and I expect the Xbox One's software to change with it.