It seemed like Netflix had it all not all that long ago. A thriving DVD-by-mail rental business, a streaming service that grew more popular than movie studios anticipated, and for the most part, happy subscribers. All that was before Netflix shot itself in the foot with a laser guided cannon, and it's been hopping awkwardly ever since. Watching Netflix stumble around isn't the kind of thing that leads to investor confidence, nor is warning that the worst might be yet to come.

iTunes killer. We're not saying Google is or is not an iTunes killer, but now that the sultan of search has removed the beta label from its Google Music platform and opened its disco doors to the public, we wanted to throw those two words out there so you can get used to seeing them. Google Music is officially open for business and you can bet there will be lots of comparisons to iTunes. So, were the rumors and speculation right on the money?

YouTube is arming itself with celebrity star power which, along with news outlets like The Wall Street Journal, will spotlight the video service's new selection of premium grade channels and content next month. Google is spending big bucks getting these deals in place, at least by pedestrian standards, reportedly investing $100 million or more in original content, according to Mashable.

Reed Hastings isn't infallible, we know this by now. As CEO of Netflix, he's been brilliant in growing his company into a premier streaming service, and spectacularly flawed in underestimating the fallout from customers over hefty price increases and major business model changes. But on that latter part, Mr. Hastings is anything but oblivious, at least after the fact, and has repeatedly owned up to the bad vibes directed at Netflix.