AT&T are planning to integrate the iPhone with their U-verse distributed internet and video service, giving users the ability to remotely control the system from their cellphone screen as well as load digital content onto the Apple device.  U-verse combines IPTV with digital PVRs and internet access for distributed home media; AT&T recently announced rolling upgrades to the system which add whole-house high-definition recording and playback.

“We’re looking at the whole landscape, of what people use, and what’s out there in the home” AT&T Chief Technology Officer John Donovan

As well as more straightforward features such as programming shows to record and using the iPhone as a wireless remote, updates to allow iPhone voicemails to be managed and controlled through the U-verse interface are also being considered.  Bizarrely, viewers may also be able to “virtually” hurl tomatoes at their screen, via the iPhone.

AT&T have not released a definite roadmap for the functionality, but has confirmed that some of the features will be available by the end of the year.