> There are only two obvious reasons why consumer electronics giant Toshiba would, as reports have it, be considering introducing Google TV-enabled televisions. First, product development is a process that is more difficult to stop or turn than a super freighter. Or second, and less likely, company executives haven't been keeping track of the travails of the Google TV and how other manufacturers are already discounting their products. Whatever the case, word is that Toshiba is pushing forward to join Sony and Logitech with Google-enabled equipment even as Sony slashes prices and Logitech continues to withhold any kind of sales information. Story.
> Forget Avatars (whatever they may be): French pornographer Marc Dorcel has launched what's being called the world's first VoD channel featuring adult films shot in 3D. Apparently this is not as tough a process as has been suggested by some programmers, since reports are that there are more than 60 adult videos already available for the channel. Ironically, the pay service is available on the French cable channel "Free." Story.
> This probably has nothing to do with the above item, but the Kansas City Star is now wondering if streaming video is about to overwhelm the Internet. The Star's story leverages the latest announcements by Netflix that it will offer preference to subscribers streaming its video service and suggests that ISPs "might need to cap your consumption (or) might raise rates to pay for improvements on that last mile." Story.
> IP set-top box sales growth is being driven by--drum roll please--more HD channels and over-the-top video services, according to the latest statistics from In-Stat which suggest that the IP set-top box market will grow 24 percent this year. News release.
> Figuring HD is as much about listening as looking, Cedar Point Communications has released a software upgrade that it says "enhances standard voice transmission" and enables callers to "experience superior quality on any call." Of course, those calls would need to be completed over wirelines since no one has ever seemed to come up with a way to improve cell calls. News release.
And finally... who says competition is dead? Local service provider Greenlight Communications has chosen GPON technology from Zhone Technologies to develop a triple play-carrying services network in Dunnellon, Fla. The network will cover residences, businesses and municipal services. News release.