While extremely flexible, its programming language, BD-Java, requires lots of low-level code for even the simplest of instructions.

ECONOMIST: Can Toshiba��s David topple Sony��s Goliath?

So whatever Apple or anyone else proposes to do in the way of providing the kind of flexible access to programming on demand that many cable subscribers say they want depends on the cooperation of the cable companies such as Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter, and others.

FORBES: Second in a series.