Amazon is known for its focus on removing unnecessary steps from the sales process and customer interaction, so maybe it will be helpful in this often-frustrating area (there's no indication that it can handle disconnects, unfortunately). Comcast exec Neil Smit told the Wall Street Journal that Amazon has already helped reduce the number of clicks in a transaction, and the paper reports that Charter could be next to offer its wares in the Cable Store. It's an odd partnership, seeing that the cable companies aren't carrying Amazon video apps on their boxes (yet?), but they may have enough in common to make it work anyway, similar to cable kiosks in Best Buy stores or local malls.

No matter what, it can't be worse than pawing through most cable provider's websites. Comcast's service is already rated just two stars on the retailer's site, but comparing packages is easier and faster than I've ever seen before, with easy jumping between ZIP codes, options and even contract terms.