Comcast

Former cable subscribers that fled the rigors of triple digit monthly bills for the comforts of their Xbox 360 console-based video streaming have a new app to add to their at-home entertainment options — Amazon Instant Video. Xbox Live Gold is required to access Amazon's library of 120,000 movies and TV episodes and Amazon Prime members get the added benefit of an extra 17,000 instant videos to choose from. The app even includes Kinect functionality so you can shout and wave your viewing choices without searching for the remote or game controller.

Amazon Instant Video isn't the only streaming option for Xbox users though; while services and entertainment channels may vary by region and country, these seven other Xbox Live apps may have you cutting the cable cord for good.

• HBO GO — If you're already an HBO cable subscriber, this will stream your favorite HBO programming directly into the Xbox dashboard.
• Hulu Plus — Catch up on a broad selection of network television programming and movies at $7.99 per month.
• Comcast Xfinity — Available to Xfinity TV subscribers, Xfinity On Demand brings the most current episode of shows, along with season archives, and movies to the Xbox Live dashboard.
• Vevo — Check out the latest music videos without cramming around a computer screen or worrying about software plug-ins.
• Verizon FiOS TV — Available in time for the holiday season, Verizon is slated to bring a selection of live TV channels to Xbox 360 that will also be integrated with Kinect.
• Netflix — Netflix has long been available on Xbox Live, but it's a classic complement to the slew of new programming on the platform. This may be the call to drop the DVD subscription as well.
• Youtube — Don't forget the viral videos. You can still view the buzz-worthy videos of the Internet with YouTube on Xbox.

Fresh off speculation that cable companies may begin to offer à la carte channel subscription options, Comcast has started to offer a new package program called MyTV Choice.

Currently on trial in Charleston, SC, as well as parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, the MyTV Choice starts with a base package called Get Started, which is $25 for 50 channels or Get Started Plus for $45 and includes ESPN. If desired, four optional channel theme packages are available to add-on for an additional $10 a month. The theme packs are offered as kids, news and information, entertainment and lifestyle, and movies.

Hopefully this is the start of cable network freedom.

Unfortunately for us Internet obsessed, data caps are becoming the norm among wireless providers and ISPs alike. AT&T initiated its data cap this month, and while your cell phone data caps may be easier to track, how do you keep tabs on the data you're using at home? Check out these tools, apps, sites, and tricks that can help you stay on top of how much data you're using at home and on the go.

• iPhone — Check your iPhone's data usage from AT&T, or just use this simple hack that's already on your phone.
• AT&T — Sign into your AT&T account from the link to see how much data you've used, and how much you have left to guzzle down before you're subject to overage fees. You can see your usage by month, and check out your averages.

See how to stay on top of your Comcast and Android data after the break.

Comcast has just announced plans to allow in-home streaming of live and on-demand programming on the Apple iPad and Android tablet devices, coming later this year. The Comcast Xfinity iPad app was announced last November, and the iPad will be the first device to stream Comcast content, with the app arriving in the coming weeks. Android tablet support will begin later this year.

For more on the app's exciting new features, keep reading.

Those of you who are sticking it out with Comcast, I have some good news for you: you'll soon have an iPad app that will allow you to perform all kinds of cool tasks and watch TV shows and movies from anywhere. Similar to the already in operation Dish Network iPad App, the new Xfinity App will be free to Comcast digital customers and will allow users to browse schedules, program and view DVR recordings, access OnDemand content, and starting in December, watch TV and movies from anywhere, personalize viewing, and share what you're watching on your favorite social networks. Heck, you can even change channels with this thing.

No word yet on if you'll soon be able to perform the same tasks on your iPhone or other platforms, but this handy iPad app is definitely a step in the right direction. The Xfinity iPad app will be available in the iTunes App store starting this week and will be upgraded in December with new streaming features.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is a popular gaming system, but fans can use for much more than games given its streaming capabilities and Internet connectivity. Xbox Live, Microsoft's Xbox content service, now has 25 million subscribers worldwide, which is officially more than top cable company Comcast. This is bad news for the cable service, which has been seeing a recent decrease in subscriptions, down to 23 million subscribers nationwide.

Find out why Comcast should continue to worry after the jump.

Now that Tiger Woods is making his big comeback to golf during the 2010 Masters, you could be seeing the action in 3D. Comcast announced yesterday that they will be broadcasting The Masters in 3D via a special channel just for those lucky golf fans who have 3D-enabled TVs. Not only that, if you have a 3D-enabled media player, monitor, and glasses, you can stream the tournament on the official Masters website. Of course, those of us who haven't yet picked up our 3D TVs can still watch, just minus the fun of wearing the accompanying glasses.

If you're on the market and looking for a 3D set to pick up, Samsung will be releasing their first wave of HD 3D-enabled TVs later this month for a cool $2,500, which means you should get delivery before the big tourney kicks off on Apr. 7.