Google is in the news constantly, yet this week is the source of most of my topics. Why? Well, for one, Google Fiber might have quite the competitor, VTEL, or Vermont Telephone Co. Currently, with over 600 subscribers, VTEL is planning on offering a 35 dollar a month gigabit service to over 17,500 homes by 2014.

Microsoft’s plans for the new Xbox could create more excitement due to the IllumiRoom device used to enhance your gaming performance four-fold. The device itself is small and simply sits on your coffee table and projects content all over the area surrounding your television. It could do wonders for gaming and movie watching experiences!

The future of gaming effects is endless. However we have yet to know just how amazing it will be. With a technology called PBD, or Position Based Fluids, water in future games will look incredibly realistic. The formula for PBD is simple; it displays water as thousands of particles to give to full bouncy and wavy water effect.

Speaking of the near future, the Galaxy S4 is almost here and the specs on the thing may sell itself. S3 owners already rant and rave about their phone. It’s sleek and smooth and breezy to use. The new Galaxy, however, has an array of features that are aimed towards perfection.

Google Now has been around for a solid nine months but just hit iOS this week. The app features virtual cards that display information based on your location, your browser history or emails. Some are not happy with the way it hinders on privacy. It is also being compared to Siri as an upgrade because of its predictability.

Finally, getting ”Scroogled” is an ad campaign brought to you by Microsoft. It is really bold of them to do so, but in the commercials they attack Google by letting users know that when you download an app from the Google store much of your private information is sent back to the Android app maker. Bing is encouraging folks to use their homepage and email account.

A lot of the news this week is exciting, some controversial. It got me thinking about being “Scroogled”, it also made me think twice about utilizing Google Now on my iPhone. Feel free to tell me what you think in the comments below!