Didn’t have time to keep up with every ripple in the technology pond this week? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last week.
Amazon, Viacom, Red Box, and Verizon all make plans to compete with Netflix
With news of a supposed collaboration of Red Box and Verizon in the works, we examined what such a service might look like in reality and how streaming might integrate with those famous red kiosks. We also took some time to look at the advantages of each possible service and whether Netflix would stand a chance. On the other side of things, Amazon is now partnered with Viacom, which will allow Amazon Prime members access to streaming TV shows from networks like MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, TV Land, Spike, VH1, BET, CMT, and Logo in addition to the big-name network partners the retail giant already has in the bag. This is yet another step by Amazon to compete with services like Netflix and Hulu.
The Apple iTV rumor mill continues and word spreads of a possible iPad 3 in March
Earlier this week we got a look at a Best Buy customer survey that seemed to point to a 42-inch $1,499 Apple TV set with many of the features that have been speculated. The company later removed the survey and said that any reference to a brand was “hypothetical,” but was it? Later in the week we heard that Apple may have given Canadian launch partners Apple iTV prototypes that incorporate some Siri and Kinect-like features. A new report also claims that Apple is planning to launch its iPad 3 in the first week of March. As it is with every Apple product, there’s no actual confirmation on any of this.
Path enrages users by uploading whole address books
This week Path users got a scare when a developer realized that the company was uploading users’ entire address books to Path servers without permission. The CEO of social media company Path quickly spoke out and said that they only use the information to help users find friends and family on the network, but also added that a fix would be coming. We later took a look at whether Apple is partly to blame, and Path offered solace with an opt-in for the uploading and an apology to users.
Chrome Beta launches on mobile
After several years of waiting and hoping, Android users got something hopeful with this week’s launch of Chrome Beta for mobile, but it came with one rather large caveat. Right now the new browser is only available on devices running Ice Cream Sandwich, which when it comes to smartphones, means the Samsung Galaxy Nexus only. We went hands-on with the new Chrome Beta browser to tell you about all of the new features, even if you don’t have access to them just yet.
