A Fool Looks Back

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Cheer up, Sony (NYSE: SNE) fans. Online streaming through Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) is now coming to the PS3.

This is a pretty big deal. Unlike other digital offerings, which charge by the flick, Netflix provides all-you-can-watch Web-based streaming at no additional cost, provided you're a subscriber to one of its unlimited plans, which start at just $8.99 a month.

Does Netflix offer the hottest releases digitally? No. Just an eighth of the Netflix library is available digitally, but we're still talking about more than 10,000 titles. When the service was originally launched, it came with little fanfare. Who wants to watch full-length features on their computer monitors? However, as Netflix has partnered with Web-tethered DVRs, Blu-ray players, and video-game console makers, the service has made its way into the more practical living room setting.

It's about time for Netflix to warm up to Sony. It launched streaming through Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Xbox Live a year ago. Even though the Netflix and Microsoft boardrooms are chummy, logic has finally prevailed. Netflix wants to stream through as many devices as possible. The Sony PS3 -- a popular choice for eye-candy junkies with its Blu-ray playback -- is a perfect fit.

Briefly in the news
And now let's look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.

• Under Armour (NYSE: UA) posted better-than-expected quarterly results and raised its full-year guidance along the way. The company behind its sweat-shaking athletic wear is expanding successfully in footwear. Using apparel as a springboard to athletic footwear? Remember when Nike (NYSE: NKE) did it the other way around?
• Tech heavies aren't just buying. They're selling, too. IBM (NYSE: IBM) sold its product lifecycle management software subsidiary for roughly $600 million in cold hard cash.

Until next week, I remain,

Rick Munarriz