Netflix

Netflix is posed to take on cable T.V. services.  Netflix allows members to stream movies directly to your T.V., iPad, or iPhone.  At $8.99 a month, it is threatening premium movie channels such as HBO, Starz, and Showtime.  They have signed contracts with several production companies giving them the right to stream over 20,000 movies and T.V. programs.  With many T.V.'s coming with internet access built in, access to the Netflix network is becoming easier and easier.  I am not ready to give up my HBO subscription, but 1 in 5 Netflix users substitute the service for their premium channels. The company could take the cable industry by storm. I found this article that goes into more detail: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_39/b4196021822248.htm.

I was searching around the internet and stumbled across Google TV. Apparently Google and Apple are in an intense fight over who will control the internet on TV market.  Apple and Google have both developed products that allow consumers to search for programs on both the internet and TV programming and record from both. It also allows for general internet browsing all from the comfort of your couch.  Where Google has an advantage, however, is their contracts with TV companies.  Google has already secured a contract with Sony to have Google TV pre-installed on some of their televisions, and its is speculated that they are on the vege of a similar contract with Samsung. Google will also offer the product in standard box form like the Apple TV. At http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/35514/apple-tv-vs-google-tv there is an interesting article comparing the two systems.  From what I've read google will offer more features such as free cost unlimited web access.  Unfortunately, Google has not released a price for the new tech gadget, but if Apple follows its usual path, I have a hard time believing that Apple will be the cheap route.  You can check out a video of Google's soon to be released product at http://www.google.com/tv/.  Apple's overview of their product is at http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/apple_tv?afid=p219%7CGOUS&cid=OAS-US-KWG-AppleTV-US.

Galaxy Tab

I think its amazing how technology is constantly changing to become smaller and mobile.  After Apple released the iPad, they finally have some competitors in this unique market.  Here is an article I found about Samsung's take on the iPad. It is not quite up to par with the iPad, but I believe it will be priced much lower so it could take off. One down side is you have to purchase a monthly internet service through the cell phone companies because there is not a wi-fi only option.  What do y'all think will it catch on?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20015576-264.html?tag=mncol;txt