Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is winning the set-top battle with Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) this holiday season, but does it even matter?

Apple announced that it will sell its millionth Apple TV device this week, at a time when Google TV has been dealt setbacks by networks, television manufacturers, and even an early price cut.

Meanwhile, we have Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) looking to tack on another 2.1 million to 2.8 million net subscribers this quarter. In other words, the set-top battle is a small skirmish compared with the real war of digital streaming.

Apple TV and Google TV got too late a start to be the true darlings of the holiday shopping season, but 2011 is going to be a challenge if streaming itself has become gadget-agnostic and becomes the big allure for couch potatoes.

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

  • Truck maker Navistar (NYSE: NAV) posted a lower-than-expected quarterly profit on decelerating revenue growth. The silver lining on the mud flaps is that analysts were actually expecting a dip on the top line.
  • NXP Semiconductors (Nasdaq: NXPI) jumped higher after revealing that it's selling its audio-products business to manufacturing giant Dover (NYSE: DOV). Are investors enjoying the silence or simply some focus out of the Dutch chip designer?
  • Sirius XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) is expanding its reach, striking deals with BMW Motorcycles and MINI USA. The 2011 model year motorcycles and petite cars will come with Sirius receivers as standard equipment and a free year of premium radio.

Until next week, I remain,

Rick Munarriz

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