Cable industry news from across the Web:
> The set-top box, rumored dead more often than Generalissimo Francisco Franco, could shrink to "a device so small that it fits in the palm of your hand," according to Sigma Designs. News release
> A German regulatory authority is stiffening its resistance to Liberty Global's plans to acquire German's third largest cable operator, Kabel Baden-Wuerttemberg GmbH & Co. Story
> So far, at least, no regulatory authority--in Germany or elsewhere--has lined up to oppose 8x8's acquisition of Zerigo, a company with cloud-based products (of course) based in Littleton, Colo. News release
> Connected TV's fast track to success is being hindered by three things, according to a blog item by Drund founder Lee Yi. Blog
> Cable operators no sooner returned from their annual self-congratulatory high in Chicago than an Adweek/Harris interactive study slapped them with the reality that people don't really want to pay for cable TV and would be glad to cut the cord "if certain stipulations are met." Story
And finally ... there could be future cable employees in the newest appointments to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski's senior staff. Story