AfterTek

Netflix is expanding their services by adding a new feature that will sure to please current customers. The company sent DVDs to consumers via snail mail in conjunction with LG Electronics, the imminent availability of a Blu-ray disc player that will also allow Netflix subscribers to view streaming video of movies and TV shows.

The LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player one-ups the Netflix Player by Roku, a set-top box that hit the market a couple months back. While the Roku device garnered much attention for its streaming-video capabilities, that’s about all it does–there is no DVD function.

Google is going to be getting some serious competition from people they used to employ. Former workers of Google have left the company to launch their own search engine - which they believe will become more popular and useful then Google’s search site.

The new search engine is called Cuil - which is Gaelic for hazel and knowledge. The creators state that it has a more comprehensive list of information. The technology it uses to index the web can understand the context surrounding each page and the concepts driving search requests, say the founders. Yet, many analysts are not convinced that it will overtake one of the biggest sear engines on the web.

This week Microsoft revealed their plans to work Live Search into Face book - one of the top social networking sites. They have hopes that this new venture will help to open more doors for the two companies who have been working together for two years.

The agreement will launch in the fall and will enable users to perform web searches while in Facebook. It will also include Microsoft’s paid search advertising. Steve Ballmer - Microsoft CEO stated, “We will be providing an API to Facebook where they will create a rich search experience, including a Web search for the Facebook users,” Ballmer told analysts. “So we’re excited about even using that as an opportunity to further extend the Live Search reach.”