Apple has put together its list of
the top apps and downloads for 2010 – giving an interesting look at how its user base is using its various products.
Games rule supreme for iPhone owners, who pushed them to the top of the paid program charts, but for iPad users, business software beat out everything else.
Activision has done something no 
other publisher has been able to do this year – pull the video game industry out of its retail sales slump for the second consecutive month.
“Call of Duty: Black Ops” led the industry to an impressive 9 percent gain over the 2009 retail sales numbers. Add in hardware, Kinect and the rest of the assorted offerings and the gaming industry made $2.95 billion last month, according to The NPD Group. That’s the best November on record.
The Mouse House
is aligning itself tightly with Netflix.
The two companies today announced a deal that will significantly boost the amount of television content Netflix is able to stream from ABC, The Disney Channel and ABC Family.
It was only a matter of time…
While the iPad is the season’s hottest gift, the tech world is already looking toward the sequel – and the rumor mill suggests that a follow-up to the tablet could begin within the next 100 days.
Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog
Those pundits who have been 
focusing on the threat OnLive, a video game streaming service, poses to the traditional video game industry might want to expand their focus a little.
The company now says it plans to expand into subscription video streaming in 2011. And Amazon could be right behind it.
The marketing relationship 
James Cameron and Panasonic struck in the fall of 2009 continues to bear fruit. Panasonic today announced that the 3D Blu-ray version of “Avatar” would be available exclusively to buyers of its 3D TV sets.
From now through Jan.1, consumers who buy a Vierra 3D TV will receive a copy of the film – which has previously only been available in 2D in homes – as well as two pairs of rechargeable 3D glasses.
The battle over video game 
motion control devices has moved to the accounting department.
Sony and Microsoft are both claiming to have momentum on their side with their new devices, releasing updated sales figures. No matter how you slice it, though, it’s clear that both the PlayStation Move and Kinect are enjoying a strong holiday season.
Microsoft seems to be pressing forward 
with its plans to launch its own TV channel.
The company has reportedly held talks with several media companies about acquiring content for a pay-television subscription service that would stream through the Xbox 360 dashboard. The service, assuming it comes to pass, isn’t expected to launch for roughly one year.
Sony’s keeping up the pressure in the console 
wars. The company has begun streaming content from BBC America onto the PlayStation 3.
Episodes of “Top Gear,” are currently available for $1.99 (standard def) and $2.99 (HD) per episode. Other programs, including “Doctor Who” and “Being Human” will arrive in December. To promote the new offering, Sony is offering users the chance to download an episode for free through Dec. 7.
While the networks and other content 
providers are throwing up hurdle after hurdle to slow Google TV, the search engine giant is looking for new ways to ensure the service stays relevant.
The Wall Street Journal reports Google is in talks with the holding company that’s in the process of aquiring Miramax to license the digital rights to the studio’s entire film catalog. If successful, the films would be available two ways: Via paid rental on YouTube and, for older catalog titles, free to watch, with ads.
Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog
Chris Morris: Journalist 