MG over at Techcrunch echoes Engadget’s tip/rumor about Apple coming out with a 99.00 Apple TV box running off of their iPhone 4.0 operating system. Does anybody else see what I see here?

At present, the only thing Microsoft had a comfortable lead over Apple was the Gaming console = Xbox and Xbox360. [Editor’s Note: …Aside from consumer marketshare, enterprise adoption and market capitalization (prior to last week). –mrh] Honestly, before the iPhone, Apple had nothing even denting the impression Microsoft was making in the gaming field. Could this be Steve Jobs’ “long tail” moment?

Was he thinking about a gaming console years ago but didn’t know how to get a good developer team and fanbase big enough to rival anyone? The best thing Steve made or approved of was iTunes. That was the software platform needed to springboard everything successful up to today.

The second most important invention was the mobile iPhone operating system. Not the hardware, because that has to be changed and it takes time for the mainstream to buy and accept. An operating system is easy to update over-the-air and easy to write apps for is the key to success. Comparatively, Windows have been the de facto PC operating system for almost the same reason: easy to create programs on and easy to update.

So now that Apple has this powerful fanbase and app creating platform, where should they take it? To the TV of course. Sure everyone already has a Sony Playstaion 3 or Wii or Xbox 360…Right? Not really, the PS3 is still insanely expensive and the Xbox360 overheats just like it’s predecessor, I wouldn’t buy it. The Wii is a joke because any game outside of the Fitness Package is awkward and honestly not fun.

Would I buy a $99 box that plays games for my kids, Movies and music for my family and productive tools for me on the TV? Sure I would…Wouldn’t you?