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JOBS PUBLICATIONS BOOKS ORGANIZATIONS NEWS RESOURCES INTERVIEWS PERSON OF THE YEAR SEARCH WWW SEARCH SITE		Internet & Digital Media Recent Headlines AOL Has 'Opportunity' in Yahoo's Exit from Media CNET News Yahoo's shift away from becoming a media company in favor of focusing on its core tech offerings could be really lucky for AOL, according to tech veterans Ross Levinsohn and Jon Miller. "It creates an opportunity for AOL I haven't seen for them in a number of years." Microsoft Ads Deride Google as Bad Place to Shop Associated Press Microsoft is trying to skewer Google as a lousy holiday shopping guide in its latest attempt to divert more traffic to its Bing search engine. The attack started with a marketing campaign focused on a recent change in the way Google operates shopping search results. Google Buys Online Marketer Incentive Targeting Boston Herald Google has acquired Incentive Targeting, a Cambridge, Mass., firm that partners with retailers to provide targeted marketing to grocery and consumer product manufacturers. Its technology helps marketers design promotions and measure returns in real time via the Internet. Groupon CEO: 'I'd Fire Myself' If I Wasn't Suited Bloomberg Groupon CEO Andrew Mason, responding to reports that the board of the daily deals company is discussing a possible leadership change, said he would fire himself if he wasn't suited to the task. "When you're creating a new category there are going to be bumps along the road." LivingSocial Expected to Lay Off 400 U.S. Staffers Washington Business LivingSocial is said to be slated to launch a major round of layoffs, with as many as 400 job cuts expected across its U.S. workforce. The cuts are expected to span a wide range of positions and markets, including in LivingSocial's home turf of Washington, D.C. Amazon Takes Original Publishing Effort to Europe paidContent Amazon is expanding its original publishing efforts to Europe and shaking up the division's structure. Victoria Griffith, Amazon's head of West Coast publishing, will move to Luxembourg, while Larry Kirshbaum will assume leadership of both the Seattle and New York imprints. Twitter: Obama Urges Americans to Tweet Congress Los Angeles Times President Obama has called on Americans to pressure Congress using Twitter and other social media to save middle-class tax cuts. Obama even provided a hash-tag, #My2K, to support his proposal. "When the American people speak loudly enough, Congress listens." YouTube to Open Studio Complex in Los Angeles The Wrap YouTube, in an effort to expand its role in the content business, is soft launching its flagship production facility, the YouTube Space Los Angeles. The new 41,000-square-feet studio complex in Playa Vista, Calif., will be a place for YouTube's partners to "bring stories to life." Google Petitions Against German News 'Link Tax' ZD Net Google has kicked off a campaign against a proposed German law that would force search engine providers to pay copyright fees every time they return a news article in their results. Google argues that the law would make it harder for web surfers to find what they are looking for. Apple Has Top U.S. Smartphone, Passes Google Reuters Early success for the iPhone 5 smartphone has helped Apple to overtake Google's Android software in the United States, according to research firm Kantar WorldPanel. Apple's U.S. share of smartphone sales in the 12 weeks to Oct. 31 more than doubled from a year ago to 48.1%. Yahoo's Mayer Outlines Priorities in First Interview Fortune In her first public interview since taking on the CEO gig at Yahoo, Marissa Mayer outlined her priorities both inside and out of the company. "I think that for me, it's God, family and Yahoo — in that order," said the new chief exec. She added: "We have a terrific set of assets on the web." Facebook Hopes to Benefit from New Gift Service New York Times Facebook has started an online gift service, hoping that the moneymaking potential of social gift giving will please its investors. The service could give Facebook a toehold in the $200 billion e-commerce market — and let the company accumulate a new stream of valuable personal data. LinkedIn to Evolve Into More of an 'Economic Graph' CNET News LinkedIn will evolve quite a bit over the next five to 10 years and become even more of an "economic graphic" for professionals, according to the social networking company's CEO, Jeff Weiner. "As we move out five to 10 years, the vision begins to expand quite a bit." Groupon Board Mulls Replacement for CEO Mason AllThingsD Groupon board members are said to be seriously discussing making major leadership changes at the Chicago-based daily deals company, including bringing in a more experienced CEO to take over for co-founder Andrew Mason. The board has a scheduled meeting later this week. Twitter to Let Users Download Archives by Year-End TechCrunch Twitter CEO Dick Costolo has again promised that users of the micro-blogging service will be able to download a full archive of their tweets in just a matter of weeks. "By the end of the year I've already promised this. I caveat this with the engineers who are actually doing the work." AOL, Google Veteran Eun to Head Samsung Project AllThingsD Korea's Samsung is said to be close to signing a deal for a prominent venue in downtown Palo Alto, Calif., that will house a start-up accelerator. The move is reportedly being spearheaded by David Eun. Previous to Samsung, Eun has been an exec at both Google and AOL. Yahoo's Stock Hits $19 for First Time Since 2010 Associated Press Yahoo's shares touched $19 Monday, the first time they have traded that high in more than two and half years. The gains extend a rally that has been gaining momentum in recent weeks as more investors bet on CEO Marissa Mayer's ability to turn around the struggling company. Facebook Shares Rise on Potential for Ad Growth Bloomberg Facebook shares rose to the highest price in four months after an analyst at Sanford Bernstein said that investors have been underestimating sales growth potential for the world's largest social network. The shares gained 8.1% to $25.94 on Monday, the highest close since July 26. Netflix, Warner Bros Enter Streaming Deal in Canada Engadget Netflix and Warner Bros. have entered an exclusive licensing agreement allowing the streaming-video company's viewers in Canada to instantly watch previous seasons of serialized dramas and feature films from the Time Warner-owned studio, starting in January. YouTube Original Channels Initiative Arrives in Asia Next Web YouTube's channels program has jumped into Asia after services from 13 producers began to go live in Japan. The company has tied up deals with partners, each of which will regularly post videos to their channels, which can be viewed online and through a range of devices. Google's $400 Million Wi-Fi Takeover Deal a Hoax CNNMoney A spate of press reports on Monday heralded Google's latest deal: An apparent $400 million purchase of ICOA, a Warwick, R.I., company that makes Wi-Fi hotspots. Not so fast, ICOA execs said soon after. Turns out the press release announcing the deal was a hoax. YouTube: 'Gangnam Style' is Most Watched Video Associated Press Korean rapper PSY's "Gangnam Style" has become YouTube's most viewed video of all time. The "velocity of popularity for PSY's outlandish video is unprecedented," YouTube said in a posting on its blog. "Gangnam Style" has been viewed more than 805 million times. Hulu Plus Arrives on Wii U for Dual-Screen Boost CNET News Hulu is now available on Nintendo's new Wii U console. Hulu Plus users will find that as they watch shows on their television, the GamePad will play an integral role in the viewing experience, displaying information on topics such as the current show or episode. Google Fiber is 'Freaking Out' Time Warner Cable Business Insider Two analysts from BTIG Research went to Kansas City to see what Google's new cable-company killer, Google Fiber, is like. The Time Warner Cable system in Kansas City "appears to be freaking out" about the rollout. "Google Fiber puts the Time Warner Cable offering to shame." Microsoft Developing 'Xbox TV' to Rival Apple TV The Verge Microsoft is said to be building an Xbox set-top box, designed to provide access to entertainment services. The move will allow the company to increase its presence in the living room, providing consumers with a choice between a set-top box or a full next-gen Xbox console. Facebook, Zynga Dampen Social Media Valuations Wall Street Journal Venture investors still have an appetite for Internet companies, but startups are said to be having a harder time raising financing. The amount invested in consumer information services is declining, as the difficulties of Facebook and Zynga cast doubt on social media valuations. Amazon: Most-Visited Retail Site on Black Friday Reuters Black Friday retail sales online this year topped $1 billion for the first time, as more consumers used the Internet do early holiday shopping. Amazon was Black Friday's most-visited retail website, and it also posted the highest visitor growth rate among the top retailers. Apple iPad Tops Children's Christmas Wish Lists Forbes Nearly half of all kids between the ages of 6 and 12 want an Apple iPad for Christmas, followed by 39% who want a Nintendo of America Wii U, according to report from Nielsen. "Kids love iPads. The big screens, the simple games. They can be entertained for hours." YouTube in Deal with National Basketball Association Broadcasting & Cable The National Basketball Association's Developmental League will air games on YouTube. The deal will put more than 350 live games on the online video site. The games will be available through the NBA D-League YouTube channel or the league's 16 team channels. Netflix Has Minimal Impact on Pay-TV, Report Says Home Media The rise of subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime Instant Video has little impact on cable, satellite and telecommunication premium TV, despite scuttlebutt to the contrary, according to a new report by Futuresource Consulting. Apple TV Won't Debut Until Late 2013, Analyst Says CNET News Apple could finally unveil its long-awaited TV in time for the holiday-shopping season, but not this year's season. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said he believes Apple will kick off the TV in November 2013. The new forecast is a change from Munster's previous report. Groupon: Tiger Global Hedge Fund Takes a Stake Bloomberg Tiger Global Management has bought 65 million shares in Groupon, a stake valued at $201.8 million. The investment is a sign of confidence that Groupon, which has declined more than 80% since its IPO last year, can find new channels of growth as demand for online coupons fades. Twitter: $1 Million in Ad Credits for Small Business Mashable Twitter is offering as much as $1 million in free advertising credits in total to 10,000 businesses to support Small Business Saturday this weekend. Twitter will give away $100 in free credits to each of the first 10,000 businesses who apply and are eligible for the program. Apple iPad Tablet Tops U.S. Holiday Shopping Lists Reuters One-third of U.S. consumers are thinking about buying a tablet this holiday season, according to a new Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters. Apple's iPad remains the leader, with 25% picking it as the tablet of choice. Apple sold about 11 million iPads during the 2011 holidays. Yahoo Shares Hit Highest Point in More Than a Year San Jose Mercury News Yahoo shares have reached their highest level in a year and a half, as investor confidence grows that new CEO Marissa Mayer can pull off a comeback that eluded her predecessors. The Internet pioneer has yet to actually provide evidence that its business is turning a corner. Myspace Seeking $50 Million to Take On Spotify Business Insider The parent company of Myspace is said to be trying to raise $50 million in order to re-launch the onetime leading social network as a direct competitor to Spotify and Pandora. Myspace continues to flounder. Documents show that the site lost more than $40 million in 2012. Pinterest: Holiday Shopping Season to Be Pivotal CNBC This holiday shopping season will mark a turning point for Pinterest. The social scrapbooking platform valued at $1.5 billion isn't making money itself yet. But it's been helping retailers connect with customers since it launched in 2010, and now it's trying to help brands cash in. Amazon Girds for Fight Five Years After First Kindle Businessweek Amazon's Kindle e-reading device, the Kindle, was introduced five years ago this week, and subsequently upended the balance of power in publishing. Today, with music, movies, and books transitioning into digital formats, Amazon has to move quickly to stake out its position. Netflix Chief Hastings Stands Firm Against Icahn Wall Street Journal Reed Hastings said he isn't interested in seeking a buyer for Netflix, responding to investor Carl Icahn who said the streaming-video company should be acquired by a larger firm. "We can make it in the long term absolutely on our own. We've been doing that for 10 years." Hulu Launches a Video Hub Dedicated to Gaming VentureBeat Hulu is looking to lure in more viewers with a dedicated home for game trailers, reviews and essential information like release dates. Its new video game hub could "start producing respectable ad revenue at a relatively small cost, since publishers are paying to produce the content." Facebook May 'Kill Yahoo' with New Ad Product Business Insider Yahoo is one of the biggest advertising sellers on the web, with $5 billion in annual revenue. But according to a Yahoo source: "There's a story brewing about a next very big business Facebook is building — one that competes with one of Yahoo's flagship ad products and would kill us." Yahoo Cutbacks Expected in New Employee Plan AllThingsD Yahoo is said to be preparing a new plan to evaluate the efficacy of its staff. The Internet giant is likely to begin cutbacks on compensation for the bottom 20% — including moving them out of the company entirely. New CEO Marissa Mayer aims to make the process "more organized." Myspace's Timberlake Gives First Look at New Site Rolling Stone Can Justin Timberlake bring Myspace back? The question has been on the minds of observers since the pop star announced his investment in the troubled social network last year. At a small but swanky press gathering, Timberlake offered a first look at the "completely new platform." Twitter Rolling Out Improved Search, Adds Email Los Angeles Times Twitter is rolling out new features that should make it easier to find pictures and videos as well as email tweets to people who don't use the social network. When users of the service search a topic or hashtag, the results page will now display a grid showing images and videos. Amazon's Bezos Named Businessperson of the Year GeekWire Dubbing him the "ultimate disrupter," Fortune magazine has chosen Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as its Businessperson of the Year. The profile that accompanies the honor delves into everything from Amazon's memo-based culture to the company's legendary customer focus. Apple iPad 'Holiday Season' Due After Thanksgiving Reuters Retailers are targeting "post-pie" commerce — the jump in shopping created by the boom in smartphones and tablet computers which Thanksgiving diners grab as they collapse onto the couch after eating turkey and pumpkin pie. "This is a new shoppable moment." Google, Dish Hold Talks to Launch Wireless Service Wall Street Journal Google is said to have held talks with satellite-TV provider Dish Network in recent weeks to partner on a new wireless service that would rival the networks of wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon. Google is just one of several companies that Dish has held talks with recently. Netflix Releases Trailer for 'House of Cards' TV Show VentureBeat Netflix has released a teaser trailer for its upcoming original TV show "House of Cards," which features director David Fincher and actor Kevin Spacey. Netflix won an expensive bidding war last year with premium cable channels HBO and Showtime to gain the rights to air the show. Twitter Names News Corp Veteran Chernin to Board AllThingsD Twitter announced via a tweet that Peter Chernin, Hollywood mogul and former New York media exec, will join the micro-blogging service's board of directors. Chernin has held top positions at News Corp. and was key in the formation of Hulu. Chernin also holds a board seat at Pandora. Zynga Treasurer Leaves for Finance Job at Twitter Bloomberg Mike Gupta is leaving Zynga to take a similar finance role at Twitter, as the largest maker of games played on social networks struggles to retain top managers amid slowing growth. Twitter is adding managers with public-company experience as the company prepares for an eventual IPO. Twitter, Facebook Rants Land Some in Jail in Britain Associated Press In Britain, hundreds of people are prosecuted each year for posts, tweets and emails deemed menacing, indecent or offensive, and the number is growing. The mounting tally shows the problems of a legal system trying to regulate 21st century communications with 20th century laws. Facebook Seeks to Settle Privacy Suit in Ad Feature Reuters A U.S. judge said he would consider whether to preliminarily approve Facebook's second attempt to settle allegations the social network violated privacy rights. A proposed class action settlement over Facebook's Sponsored Stories advertising feature was rejected earlier this year. AOL Mobile, Email Exec to Depart in Restructuring Bloomberg David Temkin, who oversaw AOL tech products including mobile software and email, is leaving the Internet portal amid a restructuring of its tech group. The resignation underscores the challenge AOL, a company focused on media, may be having in keeping tech-oriented staff. HuffPost is Not for Sale, Despite Investor Interest paidContent Within months of AOL acquiring the Huffington Post in 2011, reports surfaced claiming the company could quickly off-load the property. "AOL is not shopping HuffPost," said company exec Jimmy Maymann. "But I cannot stand here and say 'AOL will not sell it if the price is high enough.' " Groupon Unveils New Focus on Always-On Deals AllThingsD Groupon is launching a new deal structure and home page redesign that will allow consumers to find offers for things they are immediately interested in buying, instead of having to wait for a coupon to arrive in their in-box. So far, Groupon has amassed 27,000 deals for its new direction. Amazon's Larger Kindle Fire HD Tablet Ships Early Associated Press Amazon has started shipping the larger version of its Kindle Fire HD tablet computer on Thursday, five days ahead of schedule. The company is short on stock, though, so new orders won't ship until Dec. 3. The Kindle Fire is one of several tablets challenging Apple's dominant iPad. YouTube Wins Award Amid Assassination Broadcast VentureBeat YouTube has won a News Innovation Award from the International Center for Journalists. The honor comes just a day before Israel posted a video on YouTube showing the killing of Ahmed Jabari, a Hamas military leader — news at its most raw, presented by participants in the event. Vevo Music Video Site Preps for European Invasion Guardian Vevo, the music video website, is to break into mainland Europe, launching in France, Spain and Italy. The service aims to attract music fans who currently watch hundreds of millions of videos each month via its channel on YouTube. Vevo will launch country-specific versions of its site. Spotify Music Service Wins Investment from Coca-Cola New York Times Coca-Cola is becoming an investor in Spotify, as part of a new round of financing that will bring in $100 million and value the streaming music service at about $3 billion. Of the $100 million, half is from Goldman Sachs, and Coke is contributing about 10%. Fidelity is another new investor. Pandora Musician Pay Opposed by Big-Name Artists Reuters Some of music's most notable names including Billy Joel, Rihanna and Missy Elliott have signed an open letter to Pandora Media opposing the online music company's push to change how artists are compensated. The musicians argue that Pandora could cut their online pay by 85%. Facebook Takes On LinkedIn with Job Search App CNNMoney Watch out, LinkedIn. Facebook is jumping into the job search space, with a social jobs app that includes listings from services like Monster. The app currently includes 1.7 million job listings. The offering marks a shift for Facebook, which has historically focused on personal networking. Monster Jobs Site Said to Find No Bidders So Far Bloomberg Monster Worldwide, the online jobs site seeking a buyer, may fail to cement a deal after suitors such as TPG Capital and Apollo Global passed. Monster has no current bidders for the whole company. A sale may happen eventually as it continues to seek buyers for all or part of the company. Pinterest Allowing Businesses to Create Accounts Associated Press Pinterest has begun allowing businesses to create official accounts, a move that could be an early step toward profitability. With the change, businesses can officially link their websites so they are listed on their Pinterest profiles. Facebook introduced pages for companies in 2007. Groupon Taps Chief Operating Officer Amid Struggles Reuters Groupon has promoted Kal Raman to chief operating officer, giving the exec more power as the daily deal company tries to turn around its struggling international businesses. Groupon lost two COOs when the company was growing at a ferocious pace leading up to last year's IPO. Twitter Founder Opens Up New Publishing Platform Next Web Twitter co-founder Evan Williams has tweeted out an invitation to anyone who works at Twitter for his new publishing platform, Medium. People who have a @twitter.com email address are now able to post on the site. Williams is building Medium with fellow Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. YouTube Offers New Way to Watch Videos on TV Los Angeles Times YouTube has found a new way to send videos from a mobile device to the TV. The updated YouTube mobile app pairs phones, tablets and Internet-connected TVs that share the same wireless Internet connection. The feature will be offered initially on Android devices and Google TVs. Google Fiber Installation Under Way in Kansas City Kansas City Star Two and a half years after its bold promise of light-speed Internet in the living room, Google is actually sparking up a few homes. Installations are beginning this week after a few trial runs with a small number of customers. A handful of Google Fiber users already give it strong marks. Zynga Financial Chief Wehner Defects to Facebook Associated Press Zynga's finance chief is leaving the troubled online game company to join Facebook. David Wehner will take a "senior finance position" at the social networking company. His exact title will be VP of corporate finance and business planning. Zynga is also reshuffling its executive ranks. Facebook Rules Driving Away Brands, Cuban Says ReadWrite Mark Cuban said he is fed up with Facebook, as new rules by the social network make it harder for brands to reach people without spending big money on sponsored posts. "We are moving far more aggressively into Twitter," said the tech billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner. Twitter Taps Broadcasting & Cable Editor for Media Broadcasting & Cable Ben Grossman has resigned as editor in chief of Broadcasting & Cable magazine to join Twitter as head of global operations, Twitter Media. The trade publication has promoted executive editor Melissa Grego to succeed him. At Twitter, Grossman will help develop media partnerships. Twitter Founder Dorsey Says IPO Is Not an Exit Plan CNET News Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has reiterated the micro-blogging outfit's cautious approach to being a public company by saying that an initial public offering shouldn't be the end-all for startups. "You can think of an IPO as an exit or a goal, or you can think of it as more of a milestone." Google Rakes In More Ad Dollars Than U.S. Print Media Mashable Google generated more money in advertising revenue than all U.S. print publications combined during the first six months of 2012, according to a report from Statistica. Google brought in $10.9 billion in ad revenue, while U.S. newspapers and magazines brought in $10.5 billion. YouTube to End Funding of Many Original Channels AllThingsD YouTube helped fund about 160 "channels" as part of a strategy to make the video site more TV-like. And just like the TV world, YouTube isn't going to renew all of last season's programs. This week, Google's video site will start re-investing in up to 40% of its original channels. Netflix: Icahn Has Mulled Takeover, No Decision Made Reuters Carl Icahn, who holds an almost 10% stake in Netflix, said he has considered a hostile takeover bid for the streaming service, but it was uncertain he stood a chance of acquiring the it. The activist investor added that he would not be able to pay as much as a "synergistic buyer." Hulu Takes On Netflix with Ad-Free Section for Kids TechCrunch Hulu has unveiled a new section called "Hulu Kids," which organizes kid-friendly content in one easy-to-access section within the video site's library. The content includes the likes of "SpongeBob SquarePants." All of the videos in "Hulu Kids" will be commercial free. Google Ventures Beefs Up Fund Size to $300 Million Reuters Google will increase the cash it allocates to its venture-capital arm to up to $300 million a year, catapulting it into the top echelon of corporate venture-capital funds. Access to that sizeable checkbook means Google Ventures will be able to invest in more later-stage financing rounds. Facebook, Google Execs Eyed for Obama Cabinet Slot Washington Examiner As President Obama plans to reshuffle his cabinet, the job of running the Treasury Department could fall to the likes of Google chief Eric Schmidt or Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. An Obama aide is said to be looking for "a Fortune 500 CEO" who embraced Occupy Wall Street. Twitter: Pope to Launch Personal Feed for Tweets Associated Press He already has a billion followers. Now, Pope Benedict XVI will join the Twitter-sphere, tweeting from a personal account along with the world's leaders, celebrities and ordinary folk. Details about Benedict's handle will come when the Vatican officially launches the account. Microsoft Aims to Redefine Next Wave of Digital Ads Media Week Microsoft is looking to "reinvent the next wave of digital advertising," with its new ad formats for its Windows 8 platform, according to one of its senior product marketing execs. Jennifer Creegan said that the new in-app ad products could change the way marketers allocate budgets. Priceline to Buy Kayak Search Engine for $1.8 Billion CNNMoney Priceline has agreed to buy travel price comparison engine Kayak in a deal worth $1.8 billion. Kayak "has world class technology and a tradition of innovation in building great user interfaces," said Priceline CEO Jeffery Boyd. Kayak is to be run as an independent subsidiary. Monster Web Recruiting Service Seeks Buyer for Unit Bloomberg Monster Worldwide, the Internet-recruiting service exploring a sale, is seeking a buyer for its ChinaHR unit and restructuring to shed less lucrative businesses. "It looks like they're trying to make it easier for the company to be sold and sell off pieces to make the company more attractive." Groupon Lays Off 80 Staffers as Earnings Disappoint Chicago Tribune Groupon is laying off 80 sales employees, reflecting its efforts to automate some functions. The daily deals outfit has been looking at tech tools to replace "inefficient manual processes." Groupon's quarterly earnings missed Wall Street expectations, prompting its stock to drop. Gilt Groupe Seeks New CEO to Replace Founder Ryan Wall Street Journal Gilt Groupe is quietly launching a search for a new CEO to replace co-founder Kevin Ryan as the online luxury retailer strives to shore up its financial performance to support a possible IPO. The search comes as Ryan's plan to expand into new business lines has stumbled. Federated Media Shutters Display Ad Sales Business Adweek In what could presage a foundational shift in online advertising, Federated Media Publishing will shut down its direct sales business -- the division charged with selling standard display ads. As part of that shift, the company will lay off 24 employees from its direct sales business. CNET Tech News Site Reviews Showcased at Target Reuters Target is bringing reviews from tech news site CNET into the discount chain's aisles in time for the holidays, as it tries to stand out from a crowd of stores selling new gadgets. The partnership kicks off this week after a test showed that Target's shoppers appreciated in-store reviews. Twitter, Facebook Break Records with Obama Photo CNN President Obama's campaign posted a photo of him embracing the first lady to Facebook and Twitter late Tuesday, moments after news outlets projected he had won re-election. By Wednesday morning the photo had been retweeted 675,000 times and won 3.3 million Facebook likes. HuffPost Live Video Network Wins Election Boost Forbes While the Huffington Post website drew about 46 million unique visitors on Election Day, the fledging HuffPost Live video network amassed an audience of 1.5 million viewers over the course of the night. Some 300,000 of those viewers watched video on the HuffPost Live platform itself. Netflix Dominates Streaming Rivals in Web Video Bloomberg Netflix has increased its dominance of the online viewing market, defying predictions that newer players would carve into its market share. The world's largest video-subscription service captured 33% of prime-time web viewing in September. "It's very clear people use Netflix a lot more." YouTube, Activision Join for Live Video-Game Feeds USA Today Video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II," expected to be a blockbuster once it goes on sale Tuesday, has a new perk: a direct YouTube connection that lets players stream their games online. "We hope to enhance the experience by allowing users to build their own fan base." Internet-Connected TVs to Reach 600 Million by 2017 World Screen Nearly 600 million televisions will be connected to the Internet by 2017, which is up from the 212 million expected at year-end, according to a report by Digital TV Research. Connected TV will become "mainstream." Plus: "The bulk of online usage via connected TVs is TV-related." Twitter: Obama Message Becomes Most Retweeted Mashable Barack Obama announced his win in the 2012 U.S. presidential election on Twitter at 11:14 p.m. ET Tuesday evening: "This happened because of you. Thank you." The president later tweeted a photo that is said to have become the single most-retweeted message in Twitter history. Reddit: Obama Returns to Drum Up Last-Minute Votes CNET News With mere hours left before the polls closed, President Obama turned to Reddit for a last-minute push on Tuesday to round up support for his re-election bid. Obama's question-and-answer session in August overwhelmed servers running the popular link-sharing site. Pew: Many Americans Reveal Online How They Voted Bloomberg At least one in five registered U.S. voters told others via social networks how they voted in Tuesday's national election, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. Another practice, Pew said, was to use Facebook, Twitter or other social media to encourage friends and family to vote. Amazon Takes On Netflix with Prime Monthly Option Reuters Amazon is testing a new monthly option for its popular Prime video-streaming service as the Internet retailing giant steps up competition with Netflix. The company is now offering Prime for $7.99 a month. The monthly option is comparable to Netflix's $7.99-a-month subscription. Netflix Adopts Poison Pill to Prevent Hostile Takeover Bloomberg Netflix has adopted a so-called poison pill to protect against a hostile takeover after Carl Icahn acquired an almost 10% stake in the subscription video service. "One of the company's biggest fears is not being able to realize the ultimate profitability of the business model." Amazon to Launch Original Musical Comedy Series Variety Amazon is said to be close to greenlighting a musical comedy series dubbed "Browsers," in a sign that the company is getting serious about original programming. "Browsers" revolves around interns working at a Huffington Post-esque website, with musical elements woven in. YouTube Movie Buff Channel Bows from BermanBraun Hollywood Reporter BermanBraun on Monday launched its third YouTube channel, this one called CineFix and dedicated to moviemakers and film buffs. The company founded five years ago by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun has been part of YouTube’s rollout of 100 premium channels since the beginning. Pandora Sues Ascap Seeking Lower Songwriter Fees Bloomberg Pandora Media has sued the organization representing songwriters and composers to seek lower license fees for playing their songs. The leading Internet radio service asked a federal court to set "reasonable" license fees from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Facebook's Photo-Sharing App Expands to the Web Associated Press Instagram, the photo-sharing app for mobile phones, is expanding to the web. The Facebook-owned service will launch Instagram profiles on the web over the next few days. Now, users will have a website with a profile photo, bio and a selection of the snapshots they've shared. AOL: 'Things Look Great' as Revenue, Profit Rise Reuters AOL has reported higher-than-expected revenue and profit on the strongest advertising growth the company has seen in seven years. AOL said that third-quarter revenue was flat at $531.7 million. Still, there are troubling signs: Domestic display advertising fell 3% in the quarter. Apple Share of Tablet Market Drops to 50 Percent Associated Press Apple's share of the market for tablet computers fell to 50 percent in the third quarter as the iPad faced more competition from Android devices such as Samsung's Galaxy tablets and Google's Nexus 7. Apple still had a solid lead and shipped more iPads worldwide than a year earlier. Yahoo's Mayer to Talk Future at Fortune Mag Event AllThingsD Marissa Mayer will do her first sit-down interview at the end of the month at a Fortune magazine event. In the chat, according to an invitation for a Nov. 27 Silicon Valley dinner for Fortune's Most Powerful Women franchise, "she plans to talk about where she is taking Yahoo." Apple iPad Mini Debut Draws Lines, Even in New York New York Post Apple released the small-sized version of its popular tablet device on Friday, drawing lines of fans at stores around the world, including its flagship location on New York's Fifth Avenue. The iPad Mini does everything a full-sized iPad does, but is only 7.9 inches diagonally. Facebook COO Sandberg Sells $7.44 Million in Stock Bloomberg Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer, sold $7.44 million in shares as the company frees up more stock for trading following its initial public offering in May. The operator of the world's largest social-networking service unlocked 229 million shares for trading this past week. Groupon Stock Falls to All-Time Low on Anniversary Mashable Groupon is ending its first year as a public company on a down note. The daily deal company’s stock fell below $4 a share for the first time in early trading Friday, hitting a new all-time low of $3.85 a share, just ahead of the one-year anniversary of its initial public offering on Sunday. Google: We Won't Pay for Content That We Don't Host New York Times News publishers in Europe and South America have joined anew in the fight against Google, arguing that the Internet giant is picking their pockets every time it links to articles. "We don't want to pay for content that we do not host," said Google chief Eric Schmidt. "We are very clear on that." Twitter Adding Photo Filters to Compete with Instagram New York Times Twitter is said to be planning to update its mobile apps to introduce filters for photos that will allow people to share altered images and bypass Instagram, the popular mobile-centric photo-sharing network. The addition could prove to be an important part of Twitter's business. Social Media, Second Screens to See Big Election Night Associated Press The days of watching Election Night coverage on a single television set may soon be a quaint anachronism. Americans will have many alternatives for following returns on Tuesday night. Second-screen options are abounding. Also, Tuesday is expected to be a big night for social media. Huffington Post Launches New Section with Oprah Associated Press Two of the most powerful women in media — Oprah Winfrey and Arianna Huffington — are joining forces. HuffPost OWN, a new section on Huffington Post, will feature material from the Oprah Winfrey Network and Oprah.com, focusing on lifestyle advice and personal inspiration. YouTube Redesign to Tweak Playlists, Commenting ReadWrite Frequent YouTube viewers and posters may be noticing some features on the fritz, as owner Google tinkers behind the scenes with changes to the leading video site. The changes are "pretty cool" and include tweaks to the front page, playlists and commenting system. Twitter Tool to Gauge Interest in Political Tweets CNET News Twitter is unveiling a Political Engagement Map allowing anyone to see where people are tweeting most about specific political issues. "We've built a visualization that illustrates reaction to tweets from @MittRomney and @BarackObama. We want to see what insights you can glean." Amazon to Release First Game for Mobile Devices Puget Sound Business Amazon is releasing "Air Patriots," the company's first-ever game for mobile devices. The free game will be available to owners of Kindle Fire, Android, iPhone and iPad devices. "The simplicity of drawing paths for planes was something we thought would appeal to players." LinkedIn Is 'Killing It' as Growth, Revenue Explode Wired LinkedIn might not have risqué party photos like Facebook or red-hot discounts like Groupon, but the social network for career-building is "killing it" on Wall Street. LinkedIn has more than doubled its $45-per-share offering price thanks to strong user growth and revenue. Microsoft, Eyeing Apple Model, Tests Smartphone Wall Street Journal Microsoft is said to be working with suppliers in Asia to test its own smartphone, suggesting the software giant is increasingly adopting a variation of a business model favored by Apple, which designs computers and phones along with the software that powers them. Netflix Eyed as Takeover Target After Icahn Stake Bloomberg Carl Icahn has taken a 10% stake in Netflix, putting the world’s largest video streaming service in play and signaling a potential end to its days as an independent company. The billionaire investor said deep-pocketed competitors such as Amazon and Verizon are potential suitors. YouTube Pact May Bring Videos to Movie Theaters Variety Google may be about to find out the hard way that its YouTube channels have left money on the table. A new deal between Cinedigm and Alloy Digital will distribute content on transactional digital platforms beyond Google's online video portal — perhaps even to movie theaters. Yahoo CEO Mayer 'Will Need Years' for Turnaround Bloomberg Ross Levinsohn, who was interim CEO of Yahoo until Marissa Mayer became chief exec in July, said his successor will need years and a patient board to turn around the web portal. "You can't turn that company or any company of size around in six months or a year. Yahoo is a battleship." Google Battles European News Publishers Over Links Associated Press European news organizations bleeding money and readers are trying to avoid extinction by asking governments in France, Germany and Italy to step in and start charging Google for using their content in its search results — something the Internet giant has always done for free. Facebook Developing Service to Take On Craigslist The Daily Facebook is said to be testing a new service that might make Craigslist a thing of the past. The social network's development of a classifieds project is "on a fast track," not just as a way to not just engage its millions of users but also as a way of allowing them to engage each other. Groupon, LivingSocial Offer Deals in Storm Regions Advertising Age New York and New Jersey are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Sandy. But daily-deals sites LivingSocial and Groupon are soldiering on, offering discounts to resorts on the Jersey Shore and restaurants in Lower Manhattan, two areas most affected by the disaster. AOL Patch Sees Highest-Ever Traffic During Sandy Advertising Age "Hyperlocal" news sites that focus their coverage on small towns and city neighborhoods are reporting big traffic surges from Hurricane Sandy. AOL's Patch, which operates roughly 860 sites across the country, reported its highest-ever traffic day Monday, with page views up 88%. Google's Biggest Advertiser: University of Phoenix Daily Mail Google might seem like the ideal venue for advertising from big business. But the Internet giant's biggest advertiser is in fact a university. The private, for-profit University of Phoenix was Google's top customer over the last quarter, spending nearly $200,000 a day on AdWords. Facebook, Google Shutter Offices After Hurricane Associated Press Google closed its sprawling New York office in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood after Hurricane Sandy. The office will be closed until further notice, the company said. Facebook's office on Madison Avenue officially closed, with most of its employees working from home. Twitter Abuzz Over Fan 'DisneyStarWars' Mashups Associated Press Movie nerds went nuts on Twitter upon hearing the news that Disney was buying Lucasfilm. Many were psyched about the prospect of three new "Star Wars" movies; others were worried that Disney would ruin the franchise. Fans flooded Twitter with the hashtag "DisneyStarWars." Survey: Young People Feel 'Lost' Without Internet Telegraph Four out of five under-25s feel "lost" without the Internet. The survey by the Science Museum shows how a generation that has grown up with the web has become dependent upon it. By contrast, just three out of five people over age 25 said that they would feel "lost" without the Internet. Facebook, Twitter Abuzz with Chatter About Sandy Associated Press The giant weather system barreling into the East Coast is a favorite topic of conversation on social media from Facebook to Twitter. Discussing natural disasters on social media appears to have become as much a part of the experience as stocking up on bread and batteries. Apple Mobile Head, Retail Chief Exiting in Shakeup CNNMoney As Hurricane Sandy battered the Northeast, a different kind of storm was brewing in Cupertino, Calif. Apple shook up its management team, announcing that two top execs had exited. Scott Forstall — seen as an heir-in-waiting to CEO Tim Cook — is the most prominent exec departing. Google Unveils Another Phone, Larger Nexus Tablet Associated Press Google is cramming a few more gadgets on to already crowded holiday shopping lists. The devices announced Monday include the latest in Google's line of Nexus smartphones and a larger version of the 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet, which the company began selling in July. Study: Tablets Are 'Media, Entertainment Machines' Guardian There is plenty of anecdotal evidence for tablets being used predominantly for entertainment, but mobile analytics firm Flurry has tried to put some hard numbers on the trend. "At a high level, consumers spend more time using tablets for media and entertainment, including games." Facebook Employee Stock Sales Foiled by Hurricane San Jose Mercury News After waiting nearly six months as the value of Facebook's stock crumbled, employees finally got the greenlight to cash in some of their stock on Monday as the "lock-up" on trading expired. Unfortunately, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq were both closed on Monday. Netflix, Redbox Boost U.S. Home-Video Spending Bloomberg Internet services like Netflix and online movie purchases and DVD rentals from Redbox kiosks have lifted U.S. home-video spending, countering the continued drop in DVD sales. Total sales rose to $3.94 billion in the third quarter, said the industry-backed Digital Entertainment Group. Microsoft Rumored in Possible Bid to Acquire Netflix Forbes Netflix shares traded sharply higher Friday on rumors that Microsoft might be interested in buying the company. The rumor is likely to have originated from the recent announcement that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has decided to step down from Microsoft's board of directors. Google Eyed as Advertisers Refine Mobile Pitches New York Times As Google sells more mobile ads, the average amount it earns from each ad has dived. "Whoever does mobile best, they're going to be the next Google," said one advertising agency exec. "So people are asking, 'Is Google going to be the next Google?' It still is Google's to lose." Facebook Citigroup Analyst Fired Over Leak to Blog Wired Thanks to a blog leak, the Facebook IPO is an even bigger disaster than previously believed. Citigroup fired star analyst Mark Mahaney over leaking confidential Facebook IPO research to TechCrunch and private YouTube forecasts to the French financial magazine Capital. AOL Adds Former Drugstore.com CEO to Directors Puget Sound Business AOL has added Dawn Lepore, former CEO of Drugstore.com and currently CEO of Prosper Marketplace, to its board of directors. Lepore, who is leaving the board of directors at eBay in January, will be paid $100,000 for her work at AOL. She will receive stock awards as well. Twitter: We Now See Half a Billion Tweets Per Day CNET News Twitter CEO Dick Costolo told an audience last week that the microblogging service is now processing half a billion tweets a day. The number is up from 400 million daily tweets, the last official number. Costolo also confirmed reports that Twitter is testing a "like" button. Yahoo Rolling Out Crucial Redesign of Home Page Business Insider Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has a winner: Project Homerun, the redesign of Internet company's home page, is going wider. More users are seeing a revamped home page, whose primary feature is a persistent search toolbar. Mayer is said to be pushing a faster pace of change. BuzzFeed Slammed Over 'Infringement' Ad Model Wired BuzzFeed is moving toward the "sponsored stories" advertising model — a blending of advertising and editorial placed in the content stream. However, the viral content site's "list" articles are said to demonstrate "a thorough disregard for copyright and Internet etiquette." Google Chief Heads to Paris to Fend Off Linking Fee Quartz France has been making noises about forcing Google to pay for linking to French news sites. Google responded by threatening to remove all French news sites from its index. Now, Google chairman Eric Schmidt is said to be heading to Paris to discuss the issue. Yahoo CEO Makes Mobile App Her First Acquisition Wired In her first acquisition as Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer went shopping for mobile personal recommendations with the app Stamped. The company gained attention in July of this year for attracting big-name celebrity investors like Justin Bieber, Ryan Seacrest and Ellen DeGeneres. Apple's Online Radio Service to Challenge Pandora Bloomberg Apple is said to have intensified talks with major music labels to start a streaming-radio competitor to Pandora Media by early next year. Discussions are believed to be centered in part around how to share advertising revenue and a deal could be reached by mid-November. Netflix Hits 30 Million Members After Forecasting Error TechCrunch Netflix announced that it now has more than 30 million members streaming content via its video service. When announcing its third quarter earnings earlier this week, Netflix claimed 29 million subscribers for the quarter, meaning the company added about a million since Sept. 30. Microsoft Launches Online Curator of Election News Next Web Microsoft has launched a site that aims to provide a "holistic and balanced view" of what's happening in politics: Bing Elections. The new site pulls content from several sources, including MSN, Politico, Real Clear Politics, Huffington Post and the Associated Press. LivingSocial Takes a Bite Out of Amazon's Revenues Bloomberg Amazon has reported revenue that missed analyst estimates and posted its first quarterly net loss since 2003, hurt by higher expenses and its investment in LivingSocial. Amazon's third-quarter loss includes a charge of $169 million related to its stake in the struggling daily-deal site. Pinterest Pierces List of Top 50 Most-Visited Sites CNET News Though Google still reigns as No. 1, comScore said that Pinterest has joined other social networks for the most frequently visited sites in the United States for September. The pinboard-style sharing site, launched two years ago, surpassed 25 million visitors for the month. Apple's Newest iPad Creates Customer Backlash San Jose Mercury News Some Apple customers are irked at the announcement of the fourth-generation iPad, released only seven months after the third generation of the device. They had just dropped $500 on what they thought was a cutting-edge tablet, only to watch it become effectively obsolete. Facebook CEO Makes $2 Billion on Mobile Ambitions CNET News Facebook's beaten down stock soared Wednesday, posting its biggest one-day gain since going public and boosting CEO Mark Zuckerberg's net wealth by a cool $2 billion. The rally came after Zuckerberg told Wall Street that Facebook is on its way to making big money from mobile. Twitter, Facebook Buzz Doesn't Match TV Ratings USA Today "Vegas" and "Elementary" are the top new shows of the fall TV season. But what's hot on social media? ABC's critical favorite "Nashville," along with NBC's "Revolution." Social-media activity doesn't sync with Nielsen ratings, which remain the currency for Madison Avenue ad buyers. IAC/InteractiveCorp Hit by Newsweek Daily Beast Reuters Web conglomerate IAC/InteractiveCorp has reported higher quarterly revenue but profit fell almost 40%. At its media properties, IAC's operating loss widened to $13.2 million from $2.8 million during the same period a year ago due mainly to weakness at Newsweek Daily Beast. Apple's iPad Mini Allows Rivals to Undercut Price Bloomberg Apple CEO Tim Cook has unveiled a smaller, thinner iPad that carries a price high enough to shore up profit while leaving room for competitors to sell their tablets more cheaply. The $329 to $659 starting price will allow Apple to stick to its strategy of charging a premium for its products. Netflix Profit Plummets as Subscription Costs Rise Dow Jones Netflix's third-quarter earnings declined 88% as the online movie rental company's higher subscription costs pressured margins. The company has been stepping up efforts to convert users to more-profitable services that deliver movies and TV shows over the Internet. Facebook: We're Making Money from Mobile Ads Associated Press Facebook has proof that it can make money from mobile advertising. As part of its third-quarter results, the company disclosed that some 14% of its ad revenue came from mobile. "I want to dispel this myth that Facebook can't make money on mobile," said CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Zynga to Eliminate Staff, Kill Off Dozens of Games Dow Jones "FarmVille" creator Zynga is cutting staff for the first time in the social games firm's brief history, by parting ways with about 5% of its workforce. Zynga will also "sunset" 13 games and cut investment in "The Ville." "We don't take these decisions lightly," said CEO Mark Pincus. Microsoft Xbox Spins New Internet Reality Show Adweek Xbox has launched a multifaceted campaign for its Forza Horizon game release that is anchored by an eight-episode online reality series. The six-minute program will star dance club DJ Steve Aoki and run biweekly for the next month, distributed via Fuse's website and YouTube channel. Yahoo, CBS to Rename 'The Insider' News Series Next Web Yahoo has announced a new partnership with CBS Television Distribution that will extend the reach of its syndicated news magazine "The Insider." Starting in January 2013, the newsmagazine will be renamed "omg! Insider," to promote a multiplatform entertainment news series. YouTube: Debate Streams Viewed 24 Million Times Associated Press The U.S. presidential and vice presidential debates were a hit on YouTube, which streamed the events live for the first time this year. The three debates have been viewed 24 million times, both live and in playback. Viewers watched the debates stream live in 215 countries. Twitter Memes Go Viral with Help of Big Media USA Today Retweets by the Twitter accounts of major media outlets have been cited for helping comments on the micro-blogging service go viral. "Big media has always been the way things blow up from the grassroots into the culture," said BuzzFeed editor in chief Ben Smith. Aereo TV Startup Files Appeal in Network Case TechCrunch The legal battle between major broadcast networks and Aereo continues to unwind, as the TV startup files an appeal. Aereo's position is similar to Cablevision's in the mid-2000s, when the cable giant won a case against the broadcast networks after being sued for its cloud-based DVR. Hulu Faces 'Mystery' Decline in Online Viewership Home Media Hulu has seen the number of hours spent viewing video on its site fall sharply in 2012, including a 58% drop to 65 million hours viewed in August from a peak of 156 hours in March, according to Wedbush Securities and comScore data. "We are at a loss to explain the decline." Amazon Web Services Outage Takes Down Netflix NBC News Amazon is used for more than shopping; it's also a huge provider of cloud-based services, and on Monday, some of Amazon's higher-profile clients — including Netflix — went offline. The temporary outage was a result of what Amazon called "connectivity issues" with its servers. Netflix's Global March Puts Investors on Pause Reuters Netflix has launched its subscription video service in 49 countries in a little more than a year, a push that has left Wall Street analysts wondering if the company is trying to expand its reach too quickly. The move into parts of Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean comes at a visible cost. Yahoo CEO Sees Mobile Strategy as Top Priority CNET News In her first quarterly earnings call as its CEO, Marissa Mayer offered few clues about what she hopes to do with Yahoo, leaving Wall Street guessing about where she intends to take the company — outside of one area: mobile. "Our top priority is a focused, coherent mobile strategy." Microsoft Ups Xbox Ties to Mobile Devices, Web Wall Street Journal Microsoft has big plans in mobile devices, aided by a new version of Windows. But it is also making further moves in the living room. The company is announcing new offerings to connect its Xbox gaming console to an array of devices. "We want to seamlessly connect devices." Apple, Microsoft, Google to Unveil Mobile Devices Marketing Land A new crop of mobile devices is imminent. Just in time for the ramp up to holiday shopping, Apple is expected to announce its long-anticipated 7-inch iPad Mini on Tuesday. On the heels of Apple's tablet unveiling, Google and Microsoft are holding dueling press events a week from now. Google News Adds Sidebars of Videos, Photos Next Web Google has updated its Google News product, including expandable news clusters, video and photo sidebars, and a layout tweak to improve readability. The "clusters" of news results now expand outwards from a single prominent headline through the click of the '+' button. Google Could 'Disappear' in Five Years as Mobile Rises CNBC Google may be on its way out as the dominant player in search, according to one analyst — and could even "disappear" in as little as five years if the pressures that ultimately claimed other search giants start to take root. Google is facing the same "mobile problem" as Facebook. Yahoo CEO Comeback Plan Pushes Tech, Not Media Reuters Marissa Mayer, who earned a reputation for decisive action during her 13-year stint at Google, has spent her first months as Yahoo CEO quietly moving the Internet pioneer back to its roots in tech. Mayer's hires and other early moves hint at an ambitious, tech-driven comeback plan. Facebook Exec Departs to Lead Tech Hub in London BBC News Joanna Shields, Facebook's European boss, plans to leave the social network to lead the U.K. government's investment group for tech start-ups. The Tech City Investment Organization supports firms based near the Silicon Roundabout area of east London. Shields is a veteran of Google. AOL Chief Sees HuffPost as 'Powerful' Growth Engine Silicon Republic AOL chief Tim Armstrong said that between properties like Patch and the Huffington Post, AOL has become one of the biggest investors in journalism. HuffPost, he added, is "a significant and growing" asset. "We expect Huffington Post to become a powerful growth engine for us." Twitter: Obama Winning Social Media, If Hashtags Matter Bloomberg Barack Obama's presidential campaign has the upper hand in social media, communicating with masses in ways that weren't possible in 2008. Obama has 31.1 million Facebook "likes" versus Romney's 10.2 million. Still, "it's hard to figure out what is actually going to matter." Ancestry.com Sold to Private Equity for $1.6 Billion Wall Street Journal Ancestry.com has agreed to be acquired by an investor group led by European private-equity firm Permira for about $1.6 billion. The buyout is a bet that family-history research is more than a niche market and that the subscriber base can swell with a wider international audience. YouTube's Top Star in Contract Dispute with Studio Variety Ray William Johnson, star of a top-ranked YouTube channel, has vowed to exit Maker Studios, the studio that has been his online home for the past two years. The dispute, described as a negotiation tactic, comes as more bona fide stars emerge on the Internet's biggest platform. Google Earnings Clipped by Rise of Mobile Consumers USA Today Stampedes of mobile consumers are shaking up Google's online advertising moneymaker. People are doing more of their web searches on smartphones and tablets, where advertisers pay Google lower rates for search ads than for ads found via search on desktop computers. Apple Near Deal to Buy Media Sharing Social Network Next Web Color Labs, the photo-and-video-sharing social network that received criticism over its $41 million funding, is said to be near an acquisition deal with Apple. The startup reportedly will be nabbed for a price that is in the "high double digits," though papers have yet to be signed. Yahoo to Shutter South Korean Web Portal, Ad Business Associated Press Yahoo said it will close its South Korean web portal and an Internet advertising business, cutting its losses in a market where it has struggled for over a decade. The closure of the Korean arm is part of efforts to "create a stronger global business by realigning resources." Twitter Blocks Neo-Nazis in First Use of Censorship New York Daily News Twitter is blocking a neo-Nazi group's account at the request of police in Germany, the first time in the micro-blogging site's history it has censored content. Twitter's policy allowing it to "locally" block content was meant to balance free expression with national laws. Yelp Cracks Down on Businesses Paying for Reviews New York Post Yelp is now outing merchants that pay for "fake" positive reviews. Several businesses are seeing their Yelp profiles slapped with a virtual scarlet letter — a "Consumer Alert" box warning: "We caught someone red-handed trying to buy reviews for this business." Google Threatens to Stop Linking to Media in France France 24 Google is threatening to stop linking to French media websites to protest a proposed French law that would force search engines to pay for content, sparking an angry reaction from the government in return: "You don't deal with a democratically-elected government with threats." Google: U.S. Said to Lean Toward Lighter Penalties New York Post Google, after a year under the antitrust microscope, appears likely to avoid the most severe regulatory penalties — ones that could have forced it to change its business model. The Federal Trade Commission is expected to charge Google with a "deceptive acts or practices" violation. Twitter Tests Role as Broadcaster with Video Series Hollywood Reporter Believe Entertainment has announced the first studio-originated content series designed for the Twitter platform. The New York-based studio's web show about electronic dance music will serve up new videos each week to be embedded on Twitter. "This is a conscious shift." Aereo Internet TV Service Expands to More Devices Associated Press A Barry Diller-backed company called Aereo is broadening availability of its service even as broadcasters challenge the legality of the startup's live television transmissions over the Internet. Aereo is now available on devices including Windows computers and more web browsers. Amazon Struggles in Book Publishing Amid Boycott Wall Street Journal One of Amazon's biggest titles for fall, Penny Marshall's memoir "My Mother Was Nuts," has sold just 7,000 copies in its first four weeks. A likely factor in the book's poor sales is its severely limited availability. The title is unavailable via Barnes & Noble or via Apple or Google. BuzzFeed Faces Lawsuit Over Use of Celeb Photos GigaOM A photo agency is demanding $1.3 million from BuzzFeed after the viral news site published photos of singer Katy Perry and actress Kathy Griffin. The case comes at a time when online media is increasingly image-based, and raises questions about current copyright laws. TiVo Says It's Owed Billions from Google Over Patents Bloomberg TiVo said it may be entitled to billions of dollars in damages should it win its patent-infringement lawsuit against Google's Motorola Mobility unit over digital-video recording technology. "Motorola's massive production of infringing DVRs dwarfs the numbers of accused products at issue." Yahoo Chief Revenue Officer to Exit After Google Hire Advertising Age Michael Barrett, Yahoo chief revenue officer, is on his way out of the company, according to a person familiar with the situation. The news comes a day after Yahoo announced the hiring of Googler Henrique de Castro as chief operating officer, overseeing all sales and media. Facebook Gives Marketers Peek of Fans' Other Likes Adweek Facebook is said to be allowing "priority" marketers to see their fans' other affinities, such as their favorite brands, bands or TV shows. The new brand affinity tool would theoretically enable a company like Macy's see the most popular TV shows among its Facebook fans. LinkedIn Redesigns to Boost Interaction, Advertising Bloomberg LinkedIn has revamped its tools and services, adding features that make it easier for users to track each other, find connections and share content. More activity means more targeted advertising and richer profiles. "We want brands to have conversations with their target customers." Apple, Microsoft Step Up Competition in Tablet Market MarketWatch New tablet offerings from both Apple and Microsoft are expected to debut next week, setting up for a busy holiday shopping season for the hotly competitive market. Apple is expected to unveil a smaller iPad on Oct. 23. Three days later, Microsoft will launch its Surface tablet. Twitter: Presidential Debate Sparks 7.3 Million Tweets Media Life Tuesday night's U.S. presidential debate was not the most social political event in history; that honor still belongs to this season's debate No. 1. But it did inspire a huge number of tweets and spark the campaign's latest viral meme. Some 7.3 million debate tweets were sent, Twitter said. Yahoo CEO Mayer Raids Google to Hire Lieutenant Associated Press Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is mining her old advertising connections at Google to help her tackle the challenges facing her in her new job. Henrique de Castro, a top Google ad exec for the past two years, is leaving the Internet search leader to be Yahoo's chief operating officer. Microsoft to Launch MSN News Service Next Week CJR It has been only three months since Microsoft sold its stake in MSNBC.com, the news site it produced for 16 years in partnership with NBC, but the computing giant has already announced that it will launch a news service called MSN News with the release of Windows 8. YouTube Sets Live Record with Baumgartner Skydive Los Angeles Times Among the several records broken by ultra-skydiver Felix Baumgartner on Sunday, there was one that may have been unexpected: most viewers to a live event ever on YouTube. The highest skydive in history racked up some 8 million simultaneous views on the Google-owned video site. Netflix Expands Streaming Service to Scandinavia CNBC Netflix is launching its streaming-only service in Sweden, as it pushes international growth and looks to move past the debacle when it split its DVD and streaming services in the U.S. last year. The video service said the company will appeal to consumers as a "great bargain." Twitter Seeks to Add Woman to Company's Board AllThingsD In its continued search to strengthen the company's board of directors, Twitter has placed top priority on adding a woman to the current all-male roster, according to sources close to the situation. A number of female candidates are said to have already been interviewed. Foursquare Promotes Local Search in Site Revamp MediaPost Foursquare is rolling out a redesigned website that encourages users to seek out local recommendations through a new, prominently featured search box. The revamped site lets anyone — not just registered members — use its service to find nearby restaurants and other venues. Google, Apple Accused of Web Piracy by Weinstein CNET News Harvey Weinstein has strongly condemned the online pirating of movies and TV shows and accused Apple and Google of being part of the problem. "We are being done a massive disservice by these companies," said the film producer, in a rallying call to creatives. Apple Pays Up for Lifting Design of Swiss Clock CNNMoney Swiss railway operator SBB has reached a settlement with Apple after it complained that the face of the clock app in iOS 6 was lifted from an iconic and trademarked design. The settlement comes amid Apple's highly publicized patent infringement suit against Samsung. Microsoft Launches Xbox Music to Take On iTunes Reuters Microsoft has announced that Xbox Music, a digital music service to vie with Apple's iTunes and Amazon's Cloud Player, will be available for its Xbox game consoles on Tuesday. The software giant has been trying for years to make the living room an entertainment hub with its Xbox. Hulu Valued at $2 Billion in Providence Stake Sale Bloomberg Providence Equity Partners is said to have sold its 10% stake in Hulu back to company for $200 million, in a deal that values the streaming video service at about $2 billion. The deal closed last week. Separately, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar will receive about $40 million. YouTube to Start Ranking Videos by Time Watched CNET News YouTube's ongoing effort to keep visitors on its pages for longer have taken a new twist, as the video portal said it will start ranking videos by how long people watch them. The move makes it more difficult to game the system and "better surfaces the videos that viewers actually watch." Yahoo CEO Destined for Failure, Report Suggests San Jose Mercury News When a company loses its CEO, boards are faced with two choices: Promote from within or try to lure a big name from outside. Increasingly, boards are choosing the second option. Of Yahoo's five most recent CEOs, four came from outside. Each time, the outsider failed. Groupon Early Backers Remaining Long on Stock Washington Business Groupon early backers New Enterprise Associates and Ted Leonsis have spent years watching investors rush into the daily-deal company. Now, as shareholders stampede just as frantically for the exit, the two investors are quietly remaining long on the beleaguered stock. Amazon: Kindle Users Entitled to E-Book Refunds Reuters Owners of Amazon's Kindle e-readers will receive refunds on past e-book purchases if a judge approves legal settlements with publishers accused of fixing prices, according to the Internet retailer. Kindle owners could receive a refund of between 30 cents and $1.32. Twitter's Average User Is a Young American Woman WebProNews Social media marketing firm Beevolve has studied 36 million Twitter profiles to analyze what users of the service look like across the globe. Based on their findings, the average Twitter user is a woman, aged 15 to 25, living in America, with a little more than 200 followers. Netflix, YouTube Eyed as Fall TV Viewership Drops Wall Street Journal TV viewing of both cable and broadcast networks fell for the first two weeks of the new fall season, a much weaker start than the industry experienced last year. The slump suggests traditional TV is being hurt by intensifying competition from the likes of YouTube and Netflix. YouTube 'Gangnam' Video Hints of Media's Future Deadline The hit "Gangnam Style" video from South Korea has "profound long-term implications for the traditional media ecosystem," according to BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield. The clip is especially popular with 12-to-17 year olds, and illustrates a "tremendous opportunity" for advertisers. Hulu Struggles to Survive Influence of Its Owners Fast Company Hulu's media-giant corporate parents and CEO Jason Kilar find themselves at a crossroads after years of long-simmering tensions and occasional battles. Said Kilar: "Anytime you move away from the traditional norm in the media industry, there's going to be ruffled feathers." Netflix, Amazon Rivalry for Video Viewers Heats Up USA Today Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has a lot going on lately in an effort to rev up the video service. That's what seeing Jeff Bezos' Amazon.com bearing down on you in your rear-view mirror will do. Bezos and Hastings have been frenemies for years, closely studying each other's businesses. Amazon's Bezos Admits Kindles Are Sold at Cost CNET News Amazon's Jeff Bezos has come clean about the Kindle's hardware business, disclosing that the Kindle Fire HD and Paperwhite sales don't render any direct profit to the company. "Basically, we sell the hardware at our cost, so it's break-even on hardware," he revealed. Apple Likely to Unveil iPad Mini at October 23 Event AllThingsD Apple will hold a special event this month, at which it will showcase a new, smaller iPad. People familiar with Apple's plans said that the company will unveil the so-called "iPad mini" on Oct. 23 at an invitation-only event. The new device is expected to feature a 7.85-inch display. Megaupload Founder Vows File-Sharing Site Reboot Associated Press Indicted Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom plans to launch a replacement of his shuttered website and a new online music service by year's end. The file-sharing site that Dotcom started in 2005 was one of the most popular online sites before U.S. prosecutors shut it down. AOL Stock Rallies as CEO Plots Portal Comeback Bloomberg AOL, still struggling to resurrect its brand in the eyes of Internet users, is having no trouble appealing to investors. After adding more than 4% last week, AOL's shares have almost tripled in the past 12 months, eclipsing the performance of Apple, Google and Microsoft. Google Makes Offer to Brand Web Search Results Financial Times Google has made a bid to avoid an antitrust war with European regulators by offering to label information from its in-house services that are included in its search results pages. Google would put its brand on any of its own maps, stock quotes, airline flight details or other data. Spotify Attracts Investment Interest from Coca-Cola Sky News Coca-Cola is said to be in talks to invest about $10 million in Spotify, the subscription music-streaming service. Under the terms of a deal reached between the two companies earlier this year, Spotify will provide technology for Coca-Cola's music platforms around the world. Twitter: We Drive Donations to Political Campaigns The Hill Online political messages are almost twice as likely to prompt people to donate to a campaign when sent through Twitter, according to a study commissioned by the microblogging service. Twitter users are "68% more likely" to visit a campaign donation page than Internet users. EBay Takes On Groupon in Local Deals Service Test Reuters EBay is quietly testing an online marketplace for deals on local services, expanding into a multibillion-dollar market currently led by Groupon. The move is potentially a big step for the company. EBay is also re-designing its website, adding features it hopes will spur more sales. Apple Reputed iPad Mini Photos 'Leaked' on Internet New York Daily News Is the iPad mini making its way to the Apple store? A series of photos posted to Instagram and Twitter are sparking buzz that a prototype for the iPad mini is floating around. Though the photos reveal only the back of the device, commenters regard the images as proof of the mini's design. Hulu Adds Nickelodeon to Video Subscription Service TechCrunch In a bid to beef up the kid-friendly credentials of its Hulu Plus online video streaming service, Nickelodeon programming is being added to the offering for the first time. The move is part of an expansion of the current content partnership between Hulu and Viacom. YouTube Mulls Subscriptions for Partners' Channels Hollywood Reporter YouTube is looking at giving its original content channel partners the option to charge users for subscriptions, said Robert Kyncl, global content head of the Google-owned online video site. YouTube's goal for now continues to be "taking the friction out" of the ad process. Netflix CEO to Step Down from Board of Microsoft Associated Press Reed Hastings is leaving Microsoft's board of directors next month, giving him more time to focus on the myriad of challenges facing Netflix's video subscription service. The departure comes more than five years after the Netflix CEO joined the board of the software giant. Microsoft's Gates Sees Media as 'Force for Good' Screen Daily Microsoft founder Bill Gates has urged the global media to "become the conscience of the world," by playing a larger role in highlighting humanitarian plight and possible solutions to that plight: "The world has not yet fully tapped the power of the media as a force for good." Twitter Acquires New York Video Clip Start-Up Vine AllThingsD If Twitter ends up running its own video service, this should help: The messaging service has bought Vine, a video-sharing start-up. Vine, a three-person outfit based in New York, describes itself as "the best way to capture and share video on your iPhone." AOL Relaunches Games.com Site for Online Games Associated Press AOL has relaunched Games.com, a site with more than 5,000 free games, designed to attract a large online gaming audience online and on mobile and tablet devices. AOL said that the games are from developers and distributors such as Big Fish, Masque and Mochi Media. YouTube Adds 60 Web Video Channels in Global Push AllThingsD YouTube is ramping up its channel experiment. Google is funding a new batch of video-makers to join the 100 it launched in the last year. And it's making an international push, by adding content for the U.K., German and French versions of the site, aiming to become more "TV-like." Microsoft's Gates to Keynote Abu Dhabi Media Summit National Microsoft's Bill Gates is scheduled to give the keynote at this week's Abu Dhabi Media Summit, which this year focuses on digital media and the emerging markets. Digital media spending in the Arab world is said to be growing rapidly. Execs from Twitter and YouTube are attending. Google Makes Foray Into Credit Business for Web Ads Financial Times Google is getting into the credit business for the first time, with the launch on Monday of a U.K. program to finance purchases of its online advertising by businesses. Google's credit card will be made available in the United States within weeks and other countries later. Yahoo Urged to Repurchase Stock with Alibaba Gain Bloomberg Yahoo investors are urging CEO Marissa Mayer to buy back shares rather than pay a dividend with the $3 billion raised from selling a stake in Alibaba. A buyback would give the signal that investors seek that Mayer has confidence in the Internet company's growth prospects. Twitter Said to Seek Initial Public Offering in 2014 New York Times Twitter has grown into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with 140 million users worldwide. The company is estimated to have $350 million in revenue this year. Its next big step is to go public, and insiders say the current goal is to have an initial public offering in 2014. Facebook Global Head of Communications Departs Reuters Joe Lockhart, Facebook's head of global communications and a former press secretary for President Clinton, is leaving the social networking company. Lockhart is the latest high-profile exec to depart Facebook following its disappointing initial public offering in May. MySpace CEO: No Point in Competing with Facebook ABC News The new redo of MySpace, which was unveiled last week, aims to be a website for connecting artists with their fans. "We think there is a huge gap that we wanted to fulfill," said Specific Media CEO Tim Vanderhook. "There is no point to compete with Facebook and Twitter." Amazon to Purchase Seattle Offices for $1.16 Billion Bloomberg Amazon agreed to buy its 11-building headquarters complex in Seattle for $1.16 billion, in a deal poised to be the biggest U.S. office transaction of the year. The campus has 1.8 million square feet of space in the South Lake Union neighborhood, Amazon said in a filing with U.S. regulators. Apple Remembers Jobs on First Anniversary of Death CNET News Apple CEO Tim Cook has posted a letter to the front page of Apple.com, marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Steve Jobs. In a short tribute video, quotes and images of the Apple co-founder are recounted. Said Cook: "I'm incredibly proud of the work we are doing." Google, AOL Vie for Obama, Romney Campaign Ads Washington Post More money is going into online ads than ever before. But much of this bounty is being distributed through advertising exchanges, such as AOL's Advertising.com or Google AdSense, bypassing the direct buys that long have been key sources of revenue for web publications. YouTube Alienates Amateur Users by Courting Pros Reuters YouTube's core amateur video producers are feeling squeezed out by the site's transformation from user-generated clips to professionally produced content, posing a potential dilemma for Google's long-term ambitions in online video. Some YouTubers are fleeing for other platforms. Microsoft Skips Theaters with 'Halo' Film on YouTube Bloomberg Microsoft)'s full-length, Hollywood-style movie based on the next "Halo" video game will skip the big screen, streaming instead on YouTube before heading to store shelves as a DVD. The Xbox maker is promoting the November release of "Halo 4" with its own 90-minute movie. Google, Publishers Shelve Book-Scanning Lawsuit Associated Press Google and major book publishers have settled a lengthy legal battle over digital copyrights, but a bigger dispute still looms with thousands of authors who allege that Google is illegally profiting from their works. The truce ends a federal lawsuit filed in 2005. Facebook Reaches 1 Billion Users, Eyes Mobile Businessweek Facebook announced that the social-networking giant has reached 1 billion users. Looking ahead, founder Mark Zuckerberg sees mobile as the next "big thing" for the company. "We're going to make more money per amount of time that people are spending on mobile." Twitter, Nielsen Partner for Ad Campaign Surveys ClickZ News As more brands incorporate Twitter advertising into their standard online budgets, the company needs to offer sophisticated measurement methods. Twitter is pairing with Nielsen to do just that. Brand partners are running surveys to test the impact of their ads on Twitter. Amazon Studios Options Rights to Horror Novel Dow Jones Amazon Studios is optioning the rights to the horror novel "Seed," by Ania Ahlborn, a first for Amazon's original content arm, which will begin testing big-screen adaptations. So far, Amazon Studios has optioned only movie-script and episodic-series projects. Google Patents Smart Watch with Flip-Up Display Engadget Google appears to have considered transferring ideas from Project Glass to users' wrists by patenting a smart watch with a transparent, flip-up touchscreen. Such a device would present notifications and other information transmitted from your smartphone at a glance. Microsoft Rumored to Eye Acquisition of Rdio Next Web Microsoft is rumored to be in talks to acquire Rdio, the digital music streaming company. A tie-in with Microsoft would instantly increase Rdio's reach substantially. Rdio CEO Drew Larner said there "is nothing to talk about" and that he will not "comment on rumors." AOL in Talks to Sell TechCrunch's CrunchBase GigaOM AOL is in talks to sell CrunchBase, the TechCrunch-owned database of tech companies and people that has become a useful resource for the tech business. Talks "have reached an advanced stage." CrunchBase, however, is seen as a crucial part of TechCrunch. Andreessen Horowitz Invests in Rap Lyrics Site Reuters Venture capitalist Ben Horowitz is famous for starting his blog posts with rap lyrics. Now, he will be putting his money into the mix. His firm has announced a $15 million investment in Rap Genius, a website using crowdsourcing to dig into arcane details of rap lyrics. IAC Chief Diller Takes on the Publishing World Marketplace Barry Diller recently invested $20 million in a publishing company called Brightline that he is starting with producer Scott Rudin. Why now? "I've always been interested in businesses in transition," said Diller. "And if ever there was a business in transition, it's publishing." Apple Named No 2 Global Brand in Interbrand Study Apple Insider Interbrand has released its annual Best Global Brands study for 2012, naming Apple as second best in brand value behind reigning champ Coca-Cola. Apple has shown the most growth by any of the top 100 companies on the global list, said the brand consultancy firm. YouTube Loosens Control in Launch of Site in Turkey Reuters Turkey said it has won a long-running battle to persuade YouTube to operate under a Turkish web domain, giving its government a tighter rein over the video-sharing site's content and requiring the firm to pay Turkish taxes. "This is an important development." Amazon Breaks Silence on 'Secretive' Ad Ambitions Advertising Age New York's Advertising Week has turned into a coming-out party for Amazon's ad business, an ecosystem of devices, websites and an ad network that can target 180 million users based on what they've browsed or bought. "We are actually running ads we are proud of." Facebook Tailoring Ad Products to Industry Areas Bloomberg Facebook, seeking to boost sales from business customers, has begun tailoring advertising products to specific industry areas, according to marketing exec Carolyn Everson. The company is focusing ad-product design on such markets as autos and telecommunications. LinkedIn to Let Users 'Follow' Business Influencers Fast Company LinkedIn, the professionals' social network, has launched a publishing platform to connect experts and thought leaders in business with a broader audience. Users can "follow" influencers across a variety of industries. Early posts are by the likes of Arianna Huffington. Twitter, Facebook Oppose Update of Privacy Law Washington Post Twitter, Facebook and Google have warned the Obama administration that a proposal to beef up child privacy laws could hamper America's ability to "like," tweet and share information across the web. The Internet giants also claim new rules would undermine free speech. Apple Said to Begin Production on Smaller Tablet Wall Street Journal Apple's Asian component suppliers are said to have started production on a new tablet computer smaller than the current iPad, as the Silicon Valley company tries to stay competitive against rivals such as Google and Amazon that are offering smaller, less-expensive alternatives. Google Tests Selling Internet Articles, Other Content CNET News Google has confirmed that users will soon be able to pay for web content using Google Wallet, buying individual articles for an average of $0.25 to $0.99 each. Once users buy the page, they will own it forever, Google said. The company calls the project an experiment. Google Bests Microsoft's Market Value as Web Rises Bloomberg Google has surpassed Microsoft to become the world's second-largest tech company as computing over the Internet reduces demand for software installed on desktop machines. Also, Google is expected to become the U.S. leader for display advertising this year. Facebook Mulls Selling Premium Business Services CNBC Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has pointed to the revenue potential in selling premium services for businesses, which could include analytics or customer service. "Businesses want more from us. There are things they'd pay for they really want us to provide." AOL, Yahoo, Google to Carry Presidential Debates Crain's New York AOL, Yahoo and Google plan to carry live feeds of the U.S. presidential debates on their sites and host a platform allowing users to weigh in on the issues. AOL will make its wide range of properties — from local Patch sites to Huffington Post Live — all part of the action. Microsoft Preps Multi-Million Dollar News Operation Reuters Microsoft is launching its own news operation as part of its new-look MSN website when Windows 8 launches later this month. The software giant is making a "big, multi-million dollar investment" to create a "decent-sized media operation." MSN will chiefly aggregate news. Yahoo CEO Announces Birth of Baby via Twitter San Jose Business Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and her husband, investor Zach Bogue, had a baby boy on Sunday night. Bogue announced the birth on Twitter on Monday morning: "Baby boy Bogue born last night. Mom (@marissamayer) and baby are doing great." Mayer retweeted Bogue's tweet. Wikipedia Founder to Marry in London Ceremony New York Post Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales is getting married for the third time in London this weekend. The Alabama native is tying the knot with Londoner Kate Garvey, a former aide to Tony Blair. Expected guests include U2 rocker Bono and Facebook co-founder Sean Parker. Rdio Music-Streamer to Pay Artists for Subscribers USA Today Musicians looking for a new revenue stream can now get commissions from music service Rdio. Under a new artists program, the 2-year-old streaming outfit will pay musicians $10 for each subscriber they bring to the service. Snoop Lion is among the artists already on board. AOL to Distribute Vast Video Library on YouTube Wall Street Journal AOL has agreed to distribute its video content on YouTube, opening up a new avenue for advertising revenue. The company's entire library of nearly 20,000 videos from the Huffington Post, TechCrunch, Moviefone and other AOL brands will appear on 22 channels. Apple Boosts Rivals After Mapping Fiasco Apology Bloomberg Apple's map-software shortcomings have been a boon for makers of competing mobile-navigation tools. AOL's MapQuest leaped into the top 20 on Apple's app store after Apple CEO Tim Cook apologized for the mapping service on the new iPhone and recommended rivals. AOL Seen as Fastest Growing of Top Video Sites Beet.TV AOL has registered a 78% growth in monthly video views over the past 12 months, according to by comScore, making it the fastest growing of the top video sites. AOL attributes the growth its growing syndication business and the expansion of original content. Hulu Says Election Ad Dollars Are Streaming In Adweek Candidates looking to boost their campaign profile this election season are betting on Hulu. The video site's political advertising revenue is said to have grown by a whopping 718% over 2008. Hulu's total ad revenue for 2012 is estimated to be between $400 million to $500 million. YouTube Ads Rise in Challenge to Broadcasters Variety "Niche programming provides a more immersive experience," according to Robert Kyncl, the YouTube exec who, as boss of its content, believes streaming video delivered over the Internet will win its war over traditional TV. YouTube may generate $3.6 billion in revenue this year. Groupon Reshuffles Execs to Fix Europe Business Reuters Groupon has reshuffled senior management roles in an attempt to fix its struggling European operations. The shake-up includes the departure of its chief of international business. "Our challenges in Europe are no secret," said an internal memo. "We still have a lot of work to do." Google Chief Says Anti-Muslim Video Will Stay Up Bloomberg Google chief Eric Schmidt has reiterated that a video on YouTube depicting the Prophet Muhammad in ways that offended some Muslims won't be removed after the company blocked viewing of the clip in certain countries. "We believe the answer to bad speech is more speech." YouTube Blocks Video in Brazil, Obeying Court Order Reuters Google's Brazilian unit said it has obeyed a court order to remove a YouTube video attacking a candidate in Brazil's municipal elections after legal appeals were exhausted. "We are profoundly disappointed to not have the opportunity of openly debating our arguments." Facebook Tests 'Gifts' Service in E-Commerce Move CNBC Facebook has made a long-awaited move into a new revenue stream, announcing the test of "Facebook Gifts" with 1% of the social network's user base. This is the first time Facebook has allowed users to buy real gifts, and it opens the door to the world of social e-commerce. Yahoo Revives Ad Network with Partner Media.net Adweek Yahoo is back in the contextual advertising business. Two years after shutting down it fledgling text-based Publisher Network ad product, the company is giving it another go with the launch of Yahoo Bing Network Contextual Ads, a network of context-driven text ads. AOL Launches First Mobile Game, Backed by Sony USA Today AOL plans to launch its first mobile game, one that combines video with word play. "Clucks" will be a free game described as "Taboo" meets "Draw Something." The games are being sponsored by Sony Pictures, which will encourage stars of its films to make appearances. Instagram Surpasses Twitter in Daily Mobile Users AllThingsD In August, U.S. smartphone owners visited Instagram more frequently and for longer periods of time than they visited Twitter, according to a new report from comScore. The barely-two-year-old Instagram's quick rise speaks to the sheer momentum of the photo-sharing product. Pinterest in TV Discussions with MTV, VH1, Bravo Fast Company Pinterest has recently held meetings with various TV networks, including MTV, VH1, and Bravo. While it's too early to say what such meetings could yield, they serve as a sign of the startup's increasing interest in media. "Pinners get a lot of benefit from the content shared by media." Fandango Nabs Entertainment Weekly's Oscar Expert New York Times In a blow to Entertainment Weekly, the magazine's longtime Oscar expert, Dave Karger, is jumping ship for a new job at the movie ticket seller, Fandango.com. "It's a tremendous opportunity that was impossible to turn down," Karger said. "Fandango is on such a roll right now." YouTube to Double Down on Mobile Music Videos GigaOM YouTube aims to expand its role in mobile music, making the site's music videos discoverable by artist and genre on devices, according to a recent job posting. The plan could be an answer to the mobile initiatives of Vevo, the music-video site and a frenemy in the space. Forecast: Digital to Drive Media Industry Spending Hollywood Reporter Spending within the U.S. communications industry will grow over the next few years to reach $1.455 trillion in revenue by 2016, according to the new forecast by investment firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson. "Digital's influence is now a constant and significant factor in every sector." Internet Funding Boom Ends as Fast as It Began Wall Street Journal The falling stock prices of Facebook, Zynga and Groupon are causing some investors to shun web startups. Venture capitalists are now asking tougher questions, and some entrepreneurs are finding that it's taking longer to raise cash. "The frothy bubble is over." Facebook Founder to Visit Russia's 'Silicon Valley' Dow Jones Mark Zuckerberg will travel to Russia in October to meet with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and visit the Skolkovo Innovation Center, which is aimed at developing a Silicon Valley-style technology development park just outside Moscow. The exact date hasn't yet been set. WikiLeaks, Assange Named U.S. Enemies of State The Age The U.S. military has designated Julian Assange and WikiLeaks as enemies of the United States — the same legal category as al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Military personnel who contact WikiLeaks may be at risk of being charged with "communicating with the enemy." Google Brazil Exec Detained Over YouTube Video Dow Jones Brazil's federal police detained the head of Google's Brazilian operations and then released him after he agreed to return to face charges related to two videos posted on the company's YouTube site. Fabio Jose Silva Coelho faces up to one year in jail if found guilty. Google Exec Faces Arrest Over Video on YouTube Dow Jones A Brazilian court has ordered the arrest of the head of Google's local operations for not taking down "offensive" YouTube videos that criticized a mayoral candidate. Google said it will appeal the court's decision, and that YouTube isn't responsible for uploaded content. Yahoo CEO Lays Out Vision as New CFO is Named Reuters New Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has laid out broad goals, including adapting products to mobile devices, in her first companywide address. Yahoo also announced that it appointed as its new chief financial officer Ken Goldman, formerly of cybersecurity software firm Fortinet. Twitter CEO Says Company Isn't Seeking IPO or Sale CNBC Twitter CEO Dick Costolo said he is focused on growing users, expanding his employee base and rolling out ads. He added that he is not thinking about an IPO. Is he interested in selling? "We have every hope and belief that we will be a successful — independent — company." Netflix CEO Keeps Focus on Global Growth, Price Wall Street Journal Netflix is "very focused on making the streaming service better and better," said CEO Reed Hastings. Will Netflix one day be available in every country? "It's something we certainly hope to do. China is a tough one. Our big focus will be in Europe over the next two, three years." Twitter Explodes During Packers-Seahawks Finale CBS Sports Twitter explodes during crazy moments. One of those crazy moments came during the final play of the Seahawks-Packers game that featured a bit of referee-caused craziness. The heated calls elicited 56,263 social media comments per minute, including tweets and Facebook posts. Barnes & Noble to Launch Video Service for Nook Reuters Barnes & Noble plans to launch a video streaming and download service for its Nook e-books and device business. The Nook video service will allow shoppers to buy movies and TV shows from Time Warner, Viacom, Sony and Disney. Other partnerships will be announced soon. Twitter Eyes Media Bigs Including Chernin for Board AllThingsD Twitter is said to be interviewing a series of well-known media players for its board, as the online social communications service seeks to increase its ties to the entertainment industry. One of the top director candidates is well-regarded Hollywood exec Peter Chernin, formerly of News Corp. Google Hits Record High as Social Media Disappoint Reuters Google shares set an all-time high on Monday, with the web giant's reliable advertising business back in vogue among investors disenchanted with social media upstarts. "The markets have to come to appreciate that Google's been making money hand over fist all this time." Facebook Falls After Barron's Bashes Mobile Outlook Associated Press Facebook's stock took a hit Monday after an article in Barron's said it is "still too pricey" despite a sharp decline since its IPO. At issue is the shift of Facebook's massive user base to mobile devices. Barron's said success in the mobile space is "no sure thing" for the company. Apple Says 5 Million iPhone 5s Sold Over Weekend Dow Jones Apple said initial supplies of its new iPhone 5 sold out, achieving a first-weekend sales record of 5 million units but failing to meet demand for the hotly anticipated handset. Analysts, who had expected Apple to sell 8 million units, argued that expectations had become overheated. YouTube 'Recipe' Show Migrates to ABC Stations Wall Street Journal "Recipe Rehab," an online-video series funded by Google's YouTube, has been turned into a syndicated TV show to run on ABC stations, a sign of how made-for-web content is finding new legs in the offline world. Longer, 30-minute episodes of the show will be produced. EBay Launches Sharing Tool to Take On Pinterest TechCrunch EBay has launched a tool called Setify, which will allow users to create collections of items on the online auction service, as well as from other sources. Setify, which is in private beta, also will allow users to build wish lists. EBay plans to add mobile apps to the service. Groupon Acquires Restaurant Reservation Service NextWeb Groupon has acquired Savored, a deal-focused reservation service for U.S. restaurants, for an undisclosed amount. Savored has partnered with more than 1,000 restaurants, with the goal of incentivizing empty tables through 40% discounts. The model fits well with Groupon's deals. Myspace Previews Design Overhaul in Online Video TheVerge Myspace has unveiled a preview video of a forthcoming ground-up redesign. The once-dominant social network appears like it will integrate well with the now-dominant Facebook and Twitter. The site's new visuals are "extremely well-designed" for a continued focus on music. Reddit Faces Backlash Over Rampant 'Creepshots' New York Daily News Momentum is gaining on Advance Publications' Reddit message-board site to fight back against users who post secretly-taken pictures of young girls, particularly in light of a batch of photos apparently shot by a high-school teacher. Such "creepshots" are said to be rampant on Reddit. SB Nation Relaunches, Hires First Editorial Director Adweek SB Nation, the Vox Media-owned sports blogging network, has rolled out an extensive relaunch. The reboot is both technological and editorial, with prolific college sports blogger Spencer Hall being named the 7-year-old digital network's first editorial director. AOL Patch Unveils Redesign with Social Emphasis Street Fight AOL's hyperlocal news network Patch has released a major redesign, pushing the platform away from an editorial property and into a more social service. The move marks the beginning of what AOL CEO Tim Armstrong calls "phase two" in the company's evolution. Hulu Pins Down Deal for Streaming of Wrestling Mashable Hulu has pinned down a deal to stream World Wrestling Entertainment programming on Hulu Plus, its monthly subscription service for TV shows and movies, the day after the content airs on television. "As a clear leader in digital content delivery, Hulu is an ideal partner for WWE." Twitter to Debut Fox Series Before TV Premiere Variety Twitter will be one of the digital hubs for a full-episode preview 11 days ahead of the third-season premiere of the Fox comedy "Raising Hope." Twitter users who retweet will be rewarded with a video message from the series' cast thanking them for spreading the word. YouTube Leads as Video Views Hit All-Time High BtoB Some 87.3% of the U.S. online population viewed 37.7 billion online videos in August, an all-time high, according to comScore. Video ads accounted for 20.1% of videos viewed. Google sites, with YouTube predominating, was the top video content portal, at 150.2 million uniques. Google to Star in Vince Vaughn's Comedy Film Bloomberg Google has turned over its campus to Vince Vaughn and a team of Hollywood filmmakers, letting them use the Silicon Valley icon for "The Internship," a comedy about jobless, tech-challenged 40-year-olds. Vaughn wrote the screenplay and pitched the idea to Google. Yahoo CEO to Reveal Turnaround Plan to Staffers AllThingsD Marissa Mayer is said to be preparing to unveil her strategy for Yahoo at an all-hands employee meeting on Tuesday. "We want to offer transparency into what happens at the board level as well as guidance as to where the company is going," said Yahoo's new CEO. Twitter Preps Tweet Publishing Tool for Journalists Reuters Twitter will soon roll out a free tool for users, including journalists, to handpick and publish selections of tweets, according to CEO Dick Costolo. The move, he said, reflects Twitter's commitment to remain a neutral, interactive platform rather than become a media company. Facebook Change Gives Whiplash to Newspapers Wired Facebook has begun to move away from "passive sharing," in which reader apps from the likes of the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal are able to broadcast activity without any prompting. Facebook's changes cut the Post's app traffic nearly in half in just one month. YouTube Tests Feature to Quiz Viewers of Videos TechCrunch YouTube videos may soon be getting a little more interactive. The Google-owned video site is displaying a page called "Video Questions Editor Beta" — a way for "multiple questions to be displayed on top of your video during playback that a viewer can answer." Google, Yahoo at Center of Digital Buyer Universe Wall Street Journal Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL are the "four horsemen" of buyers that at one time made the majority of all digital media acquisitions, according to a chart by Luma Partners investment banker Terry Kawaja. The chart "sheds light on how diverse the buyer universe is now." Apple Poised to Sell 10 Million iPhones in Debut Bloomberg Apple is poised for a record iPhone 5 debut and may not be able to keep up with demand as customers line up in Sydney, Tokyo, Paris and New York to pick up the latest model of its top-selling product. "This is gonna be better than sex," said one buyer who stood in line for 17 hours. Facebook Starts Charging Merchants to Run Offers Reuters Facebook will start charging businesses to run Offers on its social network, turning a free service into a revenue generator as Wall Street demands new sources of growth and profit from the company. The cost will vary based on the size of a merchant's Facebook page. Twitter CEO: Apple is Mentor, Facebook is Enemy Independent Twitter CEO Dick Costolo has identified Apple as his company's "mentor" and Facebook its enemy, despite launching a new layout some have likened to Mark Zuckerberg's site's latest design. Twitter and Facebook are competing for the same advertising, he said. LinkedIn Exit by Twitter Gives Boost to Facebook Mashable After Twitter stopped syncing updates with LinkedIn, the microblogging site inadvertently helped opponent Facebook snag 1,000% more page referrals from the professional social network. The huge traffic spike is said to have happened "immediately" after the June 29 change. Wal-Mart Stops Sale of Amazon Kindle Devices Reuters Wal-Mart will no longer sell Amazon's Kindle e-readers and tablets, severing its relationship with a major competitor and placing a bet that consumers are more interested in Apple's iPad and other gadgets. The world's largest retailer is trying to catch up to Amazon in online sales. Gilt Groupe to Shutter Park & Bond Menswear Site AllThingsD Gilt Groupe, the luxury e-commerce company, is announcing a restructuring that will cut back on some of its unprofitable businesses as it prepares to file for an IPO next year. Among other moves, Gilt is eliminating Park & Bond, its full-priced men's apparel site. AOL Appoints New Chief Financial Officer, Director Bloomberg AOL has named Karen Dykstra as CFO and added PepsiCo's Hugh Johnston as director, three months after fending off an investor challenge to shake up the board. Dykstra, who served as a director since 2009, replaces Arthur Minson, who was promoted to COO in June. Google, Facebook, AOL Help Form Lobbying Group San Jose Business A technology lobbying group called The Internet Association has launched, with an emphasis on "protecting Internet freedom and fostering innovation." Its members include Internet biggies Amazon, AOL, eBay, Expedia, Facebook, Google, IAC, LinkedIn, Monster, and Yahoo. Google Antitrust Case Seen as FTC Chief Preps Exit New York Post U.S. Federal Trade Commission chief Jon Leibowitz is said to be planning to step down by the end of the year. But before the longtime consumer watchdog returns to private life, he may push an antitrust case against Google. "They are going for the guts and the glory." Google Expected to Surpass Facebook in Display Ads Wall Street Journal Google is expected to surpass Facebook in selling online display advertisements in the United States this year, according to eMarketer. The result would mark a milestone, with Google for the first time holding the "triple crown" as the leader in web, mobile and display ads. YouTube's New Channels 'Like Early Days of Cable' Advertising Age Nearly a year into YouTube's $100 million-plus bet on content, about 100 "original channels" have launched, and of those, 25 have more than 100,000 subscribers. Only 2% of YouTube channels ever reach that number. "We're launching the next great media brands." Vimeo, DailyMotion to Escape YouTube's Shadow Forbes It's a good time to be an independent filmmaker on the web. Hoping to differentiate themselves from YouTube and carve off some of its market share, video sites Vimeo and DailyMotion are cozying up to creators, offering new resources to help them profit from their projects. Groupon Gambles Big on Mobile Payments Service CNBC Groupon, whose stock has dropped 80% since its IPO last year, is making a big move into mobile payments. The deal-a-day company is entering a crowded field, taking on major players like American Express, as well as digital startups like Square, PayPal and Google. BuzzFeed Taps Facebook Exec for Creative Officer Advertising Age BuzzFeed has hired Jeff Greenspan, an exec with Madison Avenue and Silicon Valley experience, as its first chief creative officer. Greenspan arrives from Facebook, where he worked with agencies and marketers to develop ads and campaigns that users would want to share. Microsoft Hires CBS' Tellem to Form Xbox Studio Los Angeles Times In a significant bet that a tech company can compete with Hollywood, Microsoft has hired Nancy Tellem, longtime entertainment president of the CBS network, to run a new production studio. Tellem will develop series that will be available exclusively through Microsoft's Xbox platform. Yahoo Lands $4.3 Billion in Sale of Alibaba Stake Business Insider Yahoo has closed a deal to sell a portion of its stake in Chinese Internet company Alibaba, netting $4.3 billion. In a memo to employees, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer says she will return $3.65 billion of that money to shareholders. Yahoo will be keeping $650 million. Hulu Brings NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' to Japan GigaOM Seth McFarlane's performance on "Saturday Night Live" became available on Hulu Japan just hours after it aired on NBC in the U.S., and upcoming episodes will be released in the country just as fast. But don't expect Hollywood to give up on international windows altogether. YouTube Under Threat in Russia Over Prophet Film Reuters Access to YouTube across Russia could be blocked under a new law that takes effect on Nov. 1 if the portal does not remove a video mocking the Prophet Mohammad, the country's communications minister said. The video has sparked violent protests in many Muslim countries. Netflix CEO Hastings Joins Wealth Giveaway Pledge CNN Money Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is one of the latest bigwigs to promise half of his family's wealth to charity through the Giving Pledge, a two-year-old initiative championed by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, have signed the Giving Pledge. Apple iPad Mini Tablet Images Emerge on Internet Mashable Pictures of what could be a working iPad Mini have turned up on the Internet. The images, posted by Chinese website Bolopad, appear to display a new pint-sized version of Apple's iconic tablet. The front of the device has the same look and feel as Apple's current tablet. HuffPost Live Becomes 'Clip-Generating Machine' Mashable The Huffington Post launched its streaming network one month ago. To date, HuffPost Live has created more than 1,200 videos. These clips get funneled to the 60 sections on the Huffington Post as well as to AOL's various web properties. "That's really where the business lies." Twitter Unveils New Profile Pages on NBC's 'Today' NBC Today Twitter CEO Dick Costolo, in an appearance on NBC's "Today" show, revealed a new look for the microblogging site's profile pages. A huge header image will run across the top, like the banner on Facebook user timelines. The fresh take also will be visible on Twitter's new iPad app. Facebook Starts Test of Mobile Advertising Network Advertising Age Facebook has taken another step toward building a web-wide advertising network, putting itself on a collision course with Google and Apple for mobile-ad revenue. Facebook will start testing ads on third-party mobile apps, launching what is essentially a mobile-ad network. Internet Archive Amasses All TV News Since 2009 New York Times The Internet Archive, the giant aggregator and digitizer of data, plans to make more than 350,000 news programs -- from CNN, Fox News, PBS and others -- available on its website beginning Tuesday. "We want to collect all the books, music and video that has ever been produced by humans." Google Book Scanning Lawsuit Delayed on Appeal Wall Street Journal A federal appeals court has again delayed a long-running lawsuit against Google over its efforts to electronically scan millions of books from public and university libraries in order to make them available online. The Internet search giant claims it is trying to create an "electronic card catalog." YouTube Blocked in Pakistan, Bangladesh Over Film Bloomberg Pakistan and Bangladesh have blocked YouTube to prevent people from watching an anti-Islam film that has sparked deadly protests from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that YouTube ignored a request to remove the video. Apple Hits $700 as iPhone 5 Shatters Sales Record Bloomberg Apple shares have surpassed $700 as record orders for the latest iPhone fueled optimism that the company will keep generating the growth that transformed it from a niche computer maker into the world's most valuable business. The iPhone 5 sold 2 million units in first-day orders. Google Acquires Instagram Competitor Nik Software Reuters Google has bought Instagram rival Nik Software, which makes the award-winning photo editing app Snapseed, for an undisclosed amount. Google and Facebook are locked in a battle for social network followers that has increasingly shifted to mobile apps, such as photo editing. Gartner: Fake Social Media Reviews Will Increase San Jose Business As many as 10 to 15% of all social media reviews will be fake by 2014, according to Gartner. The research firm also predicted that at least two Fortune 500 companies will be sued by the Federal Trade Commission due to fake reviews in the next two years, citing false advertising claims. Google Fiber to Add Cartoon Network, TBS, CNN TechCrunch Google said it has added content from Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting to its Kansas City fiber rollout, including channels such as Cartoon Network, TBS, CNN, TNT, truTV and Turner Classic Movies. The addition brings Google mostly up to parity with other distributors. Netflix Could Lose A&E, History Channel Series Variety Netflix and A&E Networks are engaged in a "Storage Wars" of their own making. The unscripted series could be among many hits from the owner of channels A&E and History that will vacate the streaming giant's servers by Friday, when their licenses expire, unless a new deal is reached. YouTube, Hulu TV Listings Coming to USA Today NMR USA Today's new redesign for its print and digital editions includes more prominence of photos on the main page, a coloring of its "pull quotes," and listings of web TV schedules from the likes of Hulu and Yahoo Screen, in an attempt to connect with younger audiences. Google Rejects White House Request to Pull Video Reuters Google has rejected a request by the White House to reconsider its decision to keep online a YouTube movie clip that has ignited protests in the Middle East. "We've restricted access to it in countries where it is illegal such as India and Indonesia, as well as in Libya and Egypt." Twitter Agrees to Hands Over Tweets of Protester Associated Press Twitter has agreed to hand over about three months' worth of tweets to a judge in the criminal trial of an Occupy Wall Street protester. The case has become a closely watched fight over how much access law enforcement should have to material posted on social networks. Yahoo CEO's Brother in Domestic Violence Case San Francisco Chronicle A former girlfriend of Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer's younger brother said in court that she delayed reporting his alleged domestic violence because he threatened to use his family's "power and influence" to ruin her name. Mason Mayer was placed on probation for three years. Facebook's Winklevosses Invest in Social Network Wall Street Journal Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, best known for their legal battle against Mark Zuckerberg over the founding of Facebook, are investing more than $1 million in SumZero, a social network company aimed at professional investors, co-founded by former Harvard pal Divya Narendra. BuzzFeed Hires Ze Frank for Growth on YouTube AllThingsD BuzzFeed has acquired the video startup of web pioneer Ze Frank. His mission will be to help the viral content website increase its presence on YouTube. Said BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti: "Facebook and Twitter have been huge for growth; YouTube has been the missing piece." YouTube Video Eyed by Obama Administration Los Angeles Times YouTube has found itself drawn into a global drama being played out in violent Mideast protests over a 14-minute video trailer for "Innocence of Muslims." The Obama administration has asked YouTube to review the video and determine whether it violates the site's terms of service. Nintendo's New Wii Console Has TV Ambitions Wall Street Journal Nintendo said its Wii U videogame machine will go on sale in the U.S. on Nov. 18, with features to make the device a hub for TV viewing. A new feature will integrate video options from Netflix, Amazon and Hulu Plus, with live TV programs available from pay-TV providers. Netflix: 'Hunger Games' Prompts Fears of Piracy Variety Netflix exec Ted Sarandos issued a warning to Hollywood that the variability of windows around the globe for blockbuster movies like "Hunger Games" is an open invitation to widespread copyright infringement online. "It will encourage piracy in a way that will only grow." Anonymous Hacking Group Leader is Arrested Reuters Barrett Brown, a self-professed leader of the hacking group Anonymous, has been arrested in Dallas. Anonymous and affiliated groups have taken credit for hacking Sony, Fox, News International and others. Brown has been faulted by Anonymous members for using his real name. Facebook Further Taps Ad-Targeting Techniques Dow Jones Facebook Exchange has moved out of a preliminary testing stage to become more widely available. The technology enables advertisers to track visitors on sites outside of Facebook back to the social network, and present ads to them based on interests expressed online. Twitter to Surrender Occupy Wall Street Tweets Reuters Twitter is expected to turn over tweets in the criminal case against Occupy Wall Street protester Malcolm Harris. A New York criminal judge overseeing the case has given Twitter until Friday to produce Harris's tweets or face heavy fines for being held in contempt of court. BuzzFeed Buys Social Data Firm Kingfish Labs Business Insider BuzzFeed has acquired Kingfish Labs, a Facebook-data company, for an undisclosed amount. Kingfish has developed "unique techniques for understanding social data, which is very relevant to BuzzFeed's business as a social publisher," said BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti. Pew: Half of Online Adults Post Pictures, Videos WebProNews Photos and videos have become "key social currencies," according to the Pew Research Internet and American Life Project. Some 56% of adult Internet users are said to be posting photos or videos online. That means interacting visually with the likes of Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. Google Adds ESPN, Disney Networks to Fiber TV Multichannel News Google reached a deal with Disney/ESPN Media Networks to offer 15 networks to subscribers of its soon-to-launch fiber-to-the-home IPTV service in Kansas City. However, Google's Fiber TV still lacks several top cable networks, including HBO, Fox News, TNT, TBS and AMC. YouTube Blocks Video Inciting Violence in Mid East Associated Press YouTube has blocked a video attacking Islam's prophet Muhammad in Egypt and Libya, where angry protests were sparked by outrage at the 14-minute clip. "We work hard to create a community everyone can enjoy and which also enables people to express different opinions." Vevo, Virgin America Partner on In-Flight Channel Next Web Vevo, the music video website, has teamed up with Virgin America to produce a channel for the airline's in-flight entertainment system known as Red. The programming will include a 30-minute block of high-definition music videos, Vevo originals and other entertainment. Twitter Said Preferred by Execs Over FT, Bloomberg Media Week More European business execs are spending time on Twitter than on the websites of the Financial Times and Bloomberg, among others, according to research from Ipsos Media. The "business elite" also have dropped off in their daily consumption of the FT and The Economist. Google, Boingo Extend Agreement to Offer Free WiFi Forbes Boingo has announced that Google has agreed to sponsor free WiFi at 4,000 U.S. hotspots, including 15 major airports. The free service will be available to anyone with an Android phone or tablet, or a Windows or Macintosh laptop. It will not be available for iPhones and iPads. Apple's New iPhone Forecast to Boost U.S. Economy Reuters The next generation iPhone, which Apple plans to unveil Wednesday, could give a significant boost to the U.S. economy. According to J.P. Morgan, sales of the new smartphone could add between a quarter and a half percentage point to fourth quarter annualized growth in the U.S. Report: Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Own Smartphones Digital Book World Some 45% of all U.S. adults now own a smartphone, about double the proportion that own e-readers or tablet computers, according to a new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. The proportion of young adults who own a smartphone is even higher, at two-thirds. Facebook's Zuckerberg Says Mobile Will 'Make Money' San Jose Mercury News In his first public appearance since Facebook's trouble-plagued Wall Street debut, CEO Mark Zuckerberg conceded that the company's stock performance has been "disappointing," but vowed the social network's mobile business will "make a lot more money" than the website. Yahoo Expected to Close Alibaba Stake Sale Next Week AllThingsD Yahoo is said to be poised to officially close the multi-billion-dollar sale of half its assets in China's Alibaba Group. Sources said the deal is set to be announced next Wednesday. The Chinese Internet giant will pay the Silicon Valley company $7.6 billion to buy back 20% of Alibaba. YouTube Launches New iPhone App Featuring Ads Reuters Google is releasing a new version of its YouTube video app for iPhones that will for the first time feature advertising but won't come pre-loaded on Apple's smartphones. The new YouTube app will feature thousands of additional videos, as well as improved features for finding videos. AOL, Hulu Enter Video Deals with Martha Stewart Advertising Age Martha Stewart is moving from the living room to the third screen. Her contract with Hallmark Channel expired, the domestic doyenne's namesake company is entering partnerships with Hulu and AOL to distribute videos. "Martha's content lends itself well to tablets." HarperCollins to Lower Prices for Electronic Books Bloomberg HarperCollins has reached an agreement with Amazon and other e-commerce companies that will result in lower prices for e-books, in keeping with an antitrust settlement between the U.S. government and some book publishers. "Dynamic pricing will continue to be a priority." Toys R Us to Launch Its Own Tablet for Children Reuters Toys R Us is launching its own tablet designed for children, to be sold exclusively at its stores, as the toy retailer gears up to battle online and big-box retailers in the holiday season. The tablet, dubbed Tabeo, will sell for $149.99 and will be loaded with child-friendly apps. Microsoft Unveils Plans for Holiday Pop-Up Stores ZDNet Microsoft officials have gone public with the full list of its planned 32 holiday pop-up brick-and-mortar stores in the U.S. and Canada. Microsoft Stores sell Windows PCs, Windows Phones, software, games and more. Microsoft will also sell its recently announced Surface PC/tablets. Google Shopping Requires Firms to Pay for Inclusion New York Times Google has changed its Google Shopping service to require e-commerce companies to pay to be included, so product listings are now ads. Inclusion used to be free. Google said the change will improve its shopping results because paying retailers are more likely to list up-to-date items. Ancestry.com in Sale Talks with Three Buyout Firms Reuters Hellman & Friedman, Permira Advisers and TPG Capital are said to be bidding for Ancestry.com, though a deal remains elusive as the family-history subscription website seeks an offer of about $1.5 billion. Ancestry.com has been exploring a possible sale since July. Twitter Loses a Round in Occupy Wall Street Case New York Post Twitter has lost a key legal battle as it tries to fight a court order to release a user's tweets in an Occupy Wall Street protest investigation. An appeals court said Twitter cannot stall a criminal case against protester Malcolm Harris while the company appeals a judge's order. Google Glasses Hit Catwalk at New York Fashion Week Daily Mail Google's revolutionary new eyewear — allowing users to take photos, receive texts, give directions and more — turned up at New York Fashion Week on Sunday. Sarah Jessica Parker and Rupert Murdoch were among the big names admiring the headsets. Murdoch tweeted: "Genius!" Survey: One Third of U.S. Don't Use Facebook, Twitter Daily Mail A new survey claims to have found that 35% of the U.S. Internet population is not on Facebook or Twitter, and of those who are, nearly half are scared of scams. Marketing and e-commerce expert Jamie Grove created the independent survey with the help of Google. Groupon CEO Defends His Record, Eyes New Channels Chicago Tribune Groupon has the opportunity to be the world's first marketplace for local commerce, according to CEO Andrew Mason. "We are a $5 billion dollar company that's growing 45% year-over-year after four years. Most companies would kill for those kinds of growth rates." Amazon Lets Kindle Users Pay $15 to Opt Out of Ads Reuters Amazon, in an apparent switch in its pricing policy, said that it will allow purchasers of its new Kindle Fire tablets to pay $15 extra to turn off advertisements that are built into the devices. The change comes barely a day after Amazon unveiled larger Kindle Fire tablets. Wikipedia at Odds with Author Roth Over Book Entry Associated Press Philip Roth is furious with Wikipedia over the online encyclopedia's entry about his novel "The Human Stain." The prize-winning author said he reported an error to Wikipedia and was told, to his amazement, that he needed a secondary source. So Roth took his case to the public. Google Offers Second Chance for 'Fiberhood' Sign-Ups Kansas City Star As the Google Fiber project in Kansas City wrapped up its first rally to register neighborhoods for its ultra-fast Internet service by midnight Sunday, the company said it will give those neighborhoods that fell short of its goals a second chance to qualify. "We've learned a lot from this." Google Fiber Enters Deal to Carry Two NFL Channels Los Angeles Times The National Football League has struck a deal with Google Fiber to carry its two cable channels, NFL Network and sister channel RedZone, on the search engine's new broadband service in Kansas City. The deal is "an opportunity for the NFL to take a shot at Time Warner Cable." Twitter Forecast to Surpass Facebook in Mobile Ads CNNMoney Facebook's struggles in mobile were put in perspective this week, when an eMarketer report showed that lowly Twitter has outpaced the giant social network in U.S. mobile advertising revenue. Twitter will rake in $129.7 million in mobile ads in 2012, while Facebook will sell $72.7 million. Apple Seeks to Create Music Service to Rival Pandora Wall Street Journal Apple is said to be in talks to license music for a custom-radio service similar to the popular one operated by Pandora Media. Such services create virtual "stations" that play music similar to a song or artist of the user's choosing, either on web browsers or smartphone apps. Amazon Takes on Apple with Cheaper Kindle Fires Reuters Amazon has unveiled larger Kindle Fire tablets, challenging Apple's iPad with lower prices and a trove of digital content that the company hopes will win it a bigger share of the tablet market. The Internet retailer lifted the lid on devices with price tags ranging from $159 to $599. Apple TV No iPhone as Talks Bog Down with Media Bloomberg Apple won't be releasing a new TV product this year, as analysts had predicted. Designing the gadget may prove easy compared with convincing media and cable companies to loosen their grip on the TV business. "Business realities make this a complicated industry." Google Likely to Expand Fiber Service to More Cities Business Insider Google has become an Internet service and cable-TV provider in Kansas City, rolling out Google Fiber this summer. Now, Capstone analyst Rory Maher reports that "Google has made it clear more cities will likely be bidding for Fiber soon." The service is "terrifying" cable companies. Facebook: Mobile Ad-Surge Predicted by eMarketer Wall Street Journal Despite worries about Facebook's ability to make money from mobile devices, new research predicts the social network's U.S. mobile-advertising revenue will quintuple next year, catapulting it into the top ranks of the mobile-ad business, behind market leader Google. Yahoo Staying in Ad Tech, Won't Sell Right Media Advertising Age Marissa Mayer has made one of her first big strategic decisions as Yahoo CEO, as the company announced it was not going to sell its ad exchange Right Media. "We just want to go on the record ... Yahoo is committed to being a primary player in the ad technology space." Zynga Game Maker Turns to 'FarmVille 2' for Revival Associated Press A lot is riding on Zynga's new "FarmVille 2" — a total makeover of the simplistic, addictive, but oft-derided online game. The original "FarmVille" helped propel Zynga to the forefront of Facebook game makers. But investors are now questioning the company's long-term viability. Twitter Unveils Embeddable Timelines for Tweets TechCrunch Twitter has announced a new feature aiming to make it easier for publishers to embed a timeline of relevant tweets. The company describes it as a way for "publishers, writers, developers and any Twitter user to drop a rich, interactive piece of Twitter into their websites." Google's Schmidt Admits: We Are Late to Tablets The Verge During a Motorola press event, Google's Eric Schmidt revealed that the company is now activating 1.3 million new Android devices a day. Of note, Schmidt said that the company was "late to tablets." Google has struggled to gain marketshare in the Apple-dominated tablet arena. Amazon Publishing Said to Prep Serialized Fiction TechCrunch Amazon is said to be planning to announce new publishing deals in addition to a slew of updated Kindle devices. The online retailer is reported to be in the midst of inking deals for a serialized fiction series that would include audio, print and Kindle editions. Apple Device ID AntiSec Theft Claim Refuted by FBI Wired The Federal Bureau of Investigation has refuted a statement made by members of AntiSec that they hacked the laptop of an FBI special agent and stole a file containing 12 million Apple device IDs. The FBI also said it did not possess a file containing the data the hackers said they stole. Amazon Prime Service Lands Epic Epix Movie Deal CNET Amazon signed a web licensing deal, allowing it to boast that it now rents movies from every major Hollywood studio. Epix, the pay-TV service owned by Viacom, Lionsgate and MGM, is giving Amazon Prime Instant Video access to such movies as "The Hunger Games" and "Thor." YouTube Movie Rentals Coming to Connected TVs GigaOM YouTube is said to be planning to launch VOD-style movie rentals on TVs and connected devices later this year. Google's video service will add a premium component to its TV app on various smart TV platforms, according to an announcement by a YouTube hardware partner. Warner Bros' Flixster Touts UltraViolet Cloud Locker AllThingsD The newest version of Flixster, the movie-recommendation service Warner Bros. bought last year, touts UltraViolet, the cloud-locker system that many of the studios are promoting. The system is supposed to give users access to whatever movie they buy on whatever device they want. Apple's Latest iPhone Expected at Event Next Week Ars Technica Apple has sent out invitations for a media event on Sept. 12, taking place in San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Unlike past invitations, this one contains virtually no clues as to what will be introduced aside from the "5" lurking in the shadows on the invitation. Groupon Rival LivingSocial to Offer Starbucks Deal Reuters Starbucks is offering consumers a deal through daily-deal company LivingSocial, a vote of confidence in Groupon's main rival. LivingSocial will offer a $10 Starbucks gift card for $5. Customers have six months to claim the card, which can be used across the United States. Facebook CEO Zuckerberg Won't Sell Stock for a Year CNNMoney Some Facebook early investors sold their stock at the first chance they got, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg is hanging on to his shares for at least the next year. Zuckerberg, who owns about 444 million shares plus an option for another 60 million, disclosed his plans in a regulatory filing. Twitter Ex-Director Warns on Danger of Chasing Money Telegraph One of Twitter's former board members has cautioned the social network not to be "short-sighted" about chasing money at the expense of users. Mike McCue, a serial tech entrepreneur, said the microblogging website must be careful not to end up compromising its appeal. Web Moguls: A Photo Tour of 25 Stunning Homes Daily Mail In the past few months, several tech stars have purchased new residences with their bulging bank accounts. Their homes range from "modern castles" to entire islands. Twitter founder Jack Dorsey spent his millions on a mansion overlooking the sea in San Francisco. Pirate Bay File-Sharing Site Co-Founder Is Arrested Reuters Authorities in Cambodia have arrested Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, a co-founder of Pirate Bay, one of the world's biggest free file-sharing sites, and are considering a request from Sweden to send him there where he faces a jail sentence for breaching copyright laws. Google Lowers Threshold for 'Fiberhood' Sign-Ups Kansas City Star Google has lowered its count of homes in about a third of Kansas City neighborhoods hustling to qualify for the company's ultra-fast Internet hookups. The adjustments mean fewer potential customers will be needed to sign up for service. "The data wasn't 100% accurate." YouTube Film Festival Won by Spanish Director Associated Press Spanish filmmaker David Victori has won the inaugural edition of YouTube's Your Film Festival for his short movie "The Guilt." The winner was announced on the sidelines of the Venice Film Festival after selection by a jury that included director Ridley Scott. Facebook Eyes Ads with Crackdown on Fake 'Likes' Reuters Facebook is weeding out fake "Likes" on its social network that are being caused by spammers, malware and black marketeers, as it strives to maintain credibility as an advertising platform. Facebook said the number of Likes on corporate pages is likely to drop by less than 1%. Amazon Developing Ad-Supported Tablet Computer Wall Street Journal Amazon is said to be ratcheting up pricing pressure in the gadget wars with an advertising-supported tablet that will be priced lower than similar models. Amazon on Thursday is holding a media event, where it is expected to introduce a new version of its Kindle Fire tablet. Apple Pocket-Sized iPad Revealed in Leaked Images Daily Mail Christmas is still four months away — but for Apple fans, it might come as soon as October. Apple is believed to be launching the iPad Mini — a slimmed-down version of its much-loved tablet — next month, although the company is notoriously secretive in the run-up to launch. Reddit Thrives Under Advance's Hands-Off Policy New York Times Reddit, the social-news platform, has become a force on the web, attracting President Obama to participate in an "Ask Me Anything" session last week. Reddit owner Advance Publications has allowed the company to grow on its own. "We paid attention to the community." Google Pulls the Plug on Google TV Ads Business AllThingsD Here's a win for you, TV guys: Google is giving up on your business. The search giant is shutting down Google TV Ads, its attempt to create an online marketplace for TV spots. The idea was Google could make ad buying more efficient, but buyers never embraced the notion. Facebook Ad Tool to Use Emails, Phone Numbers CNET News Facebook plans to roll out an advertising tool that will let companies target ads to existing customers based on their phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The social network touts the tool as a way for businesses to reengage with customers who have used their services. Twitter Advertisers Gain Interest-Based Targeting ClickZ Twitter has enhanced its paid products for advertisers with a new targeting option that includes 350 interests. Brands can now target their Promoted Tweets and Promoted Accounts to specific user subsets based on interests. Brands can also create custom interest segments. WPP Sees Google Rivaling Traditional Media Giants Financial Times Google is poised to rival traditional media owners such as News Corp., Viacom and CBS in sharing the more than $70 billion in advertising dollars WPP spends each year, said Martin Sorrell, CEO of the world's largest ad group. Google remains "our strongest partner" in digital. Google Studies Use of Devices for Media Content TechCrunch New research out from Google, working with market analysts Ipsos and Sterling Brands, puts hard numbers behind the trend of how Americans use a combination of phones, tablets, computers and TVs to consume content. Some 90% of media consumption happens across all four. Apple, Publishers Offering Antitrust Concessions Reuters Apple and four major publishers are said to have offered to allow retailers such as Amazon to sell e-books at a discount for two years in a bid to end an EU antitrust investigation and stave off possible fines. The publishers are Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette and Macmillan. Amazon Kindle Fire Sells Out with New Model Due Associated Press Amazon said it has sold out of its Kindle Fire tablet computer amid expectations of a new model for the holiday season. The Internet retailer has a major press conference scheduled for next Thursday. The company is widely expected to reveal a new model of the Fire then. Groupon, LivingSocial Sued Over Mobile Ad Patent Bloomberg Groupon and LivingSocial have been sued by a patent owner that claimed the discount online marketers are infringing protected technology for mobile-phone advertising. XcellaSave is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages from both Groupon and LivingSocial. IAC Follows About.com Buy with DateHookup Site Associated Press Who says money can't buy love? Match.com and OKCupid owner IAC/InterActiveCorp has picked up another dating site, DateHookup.com. IAC did not say how much it is paying for DateHookup. The site, founded in 2002, has more than 1 million unique visitors a month. Twitter: Romney Plans Pricey Ad Buy for Thursday Click Z On Thursday, when Mitt Romney gives his acceptance speech at the Republican convention, the Romney digital team will be aiming for big Twitter buzz. The Romney camp will enter the Twitter advertising domain usually reserved for big brands: the Promoted Trend. Google Seeks to Sell Unit to Cable-TV Providers Bloomberg Google is said to be planning to sell the unit within Motorola Mobility that sells set-top boxes and other equipment to cable TV providers and has hired Barclays to seek buyers. Motorola Mobility's Home Business unit might fetch about $2 billion. The sale is in the very early stages. TiVo Growth Steps Up, Aided by Cable Operators Wall Street Journal TiVo reported that its total subscribers jumped 41% in the second quarter, as the video-recording pioneer continued to add more users through deals with cable and satellite companies. But TiVo continues to face heavy litigation costs, including a battle with Verizon. Pandora: We're Positioned for Mobile Ad Growth CNBC Pandora Media should see continued growth in its mobile revenues as marketers spend more on mobile advertising, said CEO Joseph Kennedy after the Internet radio firm announced better-than-expected quarterly earnings. "Consumers are spending [more] time on mobile." Study: Mobile Media Content Access is Soaring Hollywood Reporter The market for mobile entertainment content soared in the past year, according to a new study by Millennial Media and comScore. Downloads of music, movies, TV shows and e-books were the single largest segment of digital purchases. Overall, entertainment spending grew 133%. Facebook Co-Founder Moskovitz Selling Shares Reuters Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz has sold more shares in the one-time consumer-Internet darling. Moskovitz has been selling shares at the rate of 150,000 a day since Aug. 19, the first day since Facebook's IPO that certain insiders were allowed to sell their shares. Yelp Shares Surge as Insiders Hold On to Stock Associated Press Yelp's early backers apparently still have a high opinion of the online business review service, much to Wall Street's relief, after insiders at several other Internet companies dumped some of their shares at the first opportunity. Yelp's stock price is up more than 22%. Yahoo Fires Bureau Chief for Romney Remarks Associated Press Yahoo News fired Washington bureau chief David Chalian after he was caught on an open microphone saying that Mitt Romney and his wife, at the Republican convention in Florida while a hurricane was approaching Louisiana, were "happy to have a party with black people drowning." Hulu 'Morning After' Taps Old Spice Guy as Host Adweek Isaiah Mustafa, best known as the towel-wearing star of the Old Spice commercials, has been named host of "The Morning After," a pop-culture show airing on Hulu, the video site. According to Mustafa, the five-to-seven-minute show "speaks to those who sit in an office job." YouTube Updates Xbox Live App for Speed, Ads VentureBeat YouTube has released an update to its app for the Microsoft Xbox Live that gives the video player a significant speed boost. Among other additions, the app can now display advertising within videos. The video site has also added music video channels to the service. Google Uses Home Page to Push Its Own Tablet New York Times Google's stark white home page — the most-viewed website on the Internet — would be any advertiser's dream. Google is taking full advantage of that for itself by running an ad for the Nexus 7, the company's $199 tablet computer that competes with the Kindle Fire. Amazon's Zappos Merges Pinterest, E-Commerce Bloomberg Amazon's Zappos online store has created a service that recommends purchases based on what users post on Pinterest, a move to parlay the popularity of the social-sharing site into e-commerce sales. The new web page is called PinPointing and suggests Zappos products. Twitter in Legal Battle Over Ownership of Tweets CNBC Who owns your tweets? And what about all of that personal information you have given Twitter? Those questions are the focus of a battle the microblogging company is waging with a New York State judge. Twitter says that its users own their tweets; the court says Twitter does. Apple's Samsung Dispute Part of War with Google San Jose Mercury News While Apple won a billion-dollar jury verdict last week in a patent dispute with Samsung, the trial was just one front in a broader war between the iPhone-maker and Google, experts said. Google's Android mobile software outranks Apple's as the leading smartphone platform. Google Reveals Relationship with Stanford Professor The Verge Google has followed up with a judge's order to disclose anyone it might have paid to influence coverage of its trial against Oracle. The list includes well-known Stanford professor Mark Lemley, who is often quoted without mentioning his relationship with the Internet giant. Twitter Seeks to Protect Occupy Wall Street Protester Wired News Twitter has filed an appeal asking for a New York court to reconsider rulings ordering it to turn over tweets and information on accounts used by Malcolm Harris, an Occupy Wall Street protester. According to Twitter, Harris's tweets are protected by the Fourth Amendment. Facebook, Twitter Get Cozy at Republican Convention ClickZ Most of the companies at the Republican convention are traditional media outlets with spaces for their reporters. Facebook and Twitter are also present. The two social media firms are sharing a space. "Our goals here are the same — to facilitate open engagement." AOL Unveils $600 Million Buyback, Special Dividend Bloomberg AOL has announced a $600 million accelerated stock buyback agreement and a special cash dividend of $5.15 a share, the final steps in returning about $1.1 billion to shareholders. This month AOL rose to its highest value since it was spun out of Time Warner in 2009. Yahoo Hires Amazon Veteran as Marketing Chief AllThingsD Kathy Savitt, founder and CEO of Seattle-based Lockerz, has been named chief marketing officer at Yahoo. Savitt marks one of Marissa Mayer's most senior appointments since she took over as CEO. Savitt is a former Amazon VP of strategic communications, content and initiatives. Pinterest, Instagram Global Market Share Grows Search Engine Watch Pinterest and Instagram have taken over in the race among niche social networks, both experiencing astronomical growth rates around the world, according to new data from Experian. "They haven't tried to be 'another Facebook.' They both identified a gap in the market." YouTube: Larry King to Anchor Political Coverage TV Newser Former CNN host Larry King will be anchoring live election coverage this year, competing with his old friends at the cable news network. King will anchor coverage on YouTube during both the Republican and Democratic conventions. On election night, he will anchor a live special. Apple Expected to Unveil 'iPad Mini' in October AllThingsD Apple's next generation iPhone and its so-called "iPad mini" will debut at two separate events this autumn, rather than a single one as has been widely speculated, according to several sources. The iPhone event is said to be Sept. 12, with the "iPad mini" event expected in October. Facebook Hires Gehry to Design New Campus PC World Facebook has commissioned world-renowned architect Frank Gehry to design its first custom-built campus. The new facility, in Menlo Park, Calif., will house 3,400 engineers in a single building — and allow both Gehry and Facebook to make a distinctive mark on Silicon Valley. Reddit Founder Plans 'Internet 2012' Bus Tour CNN Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of social sharing site Reddit, has been raising funds for the Internet 2012 Bus Tour. "From taxes, to health care, to immigration —Democrats and Republicans can't seem to agree on anything. Both sides should be championing the open Internet." Apple Gets More Than $1 Billion in Samsung Suit San Francisco Chronicle A federal jury has decided that Samsung ripped off the technology used by Apple to create its revolutionary iPhone and iPad, in a verdict that could have major implications for the future of smartphones and tablet computers. Apple was awarded damages of nearly $1.05 billion. YouTube to Cut Weak Professional Video Channels New York Post YouTube kicked off an ambitious plan last February to establish dozens of professionally produced channels. The video site now plans to cut some of the less successful channels. "They'll cull the herd and work with the best. They're going to be deciding on new people to fund." Amazon Adds NBC Shows to Prime Video Lineup Associated Press Amazon has added NBC shows to its roster of free videos that can be watched online by customers who pay $79 a year for unlimited free shipping on goods bought at the online retailer. The deal adds prior seasons of TV shows such as "Parenthood" and "Heroes." Twitter: India Threatens to Take Action Against Site Voice of America The government of India is threatening to take action against Twitter unless the social media website fails to remove material officials fear could further inflame ethnic tensions. The directive comes after false Internet reports caused thousands to flee cities across India. Facebook Doubles Speed of App for Mobile Devices Bloomberg Facebook is updating its app for Apple's iPhone and iPad to make it faster for users who access the service via mobile devices. The software aims to double the speed for starting the app and scrolling through the news feed. The new update is "focused on one thing: speed." Microsoft Unveils New Corporate Logo, Stirs Criticism Puget Sound Business Microsoft has unveiled a new logo, marking the first time in 25 years the software giant has made a design change. The new logo draws on the heritage of Microsoft's "brand values." Critics have pointed out that the logo font and color palate are similar to Google's. Groupon Exodus of Execs Continues with Senior VP Reuters Lee Brown, who oversees national sales at Groupon, has decided to leave the daily deals company, following other execs who left the firm this year. Groupon has lost about three quarters of its market value since the company's IPO last year on concerns that growth is slowing. Amazon to Unveil New Kindles at Press Conference CNET News Amazon has sent out invitations for a Sept. 6 press conference in Santa Monica, Calif., where the company is expected to introduce new Kindle devices. Whether Amazon will introduce a larger 10-inch tablet to compete directly with the Apple iPad remains a possibility. Zynga Seen at 'Worst Value' Among Internet Media Bloomberg Zynga's operations are getting the least credit in public markets among Internet media companies, and management's refusal to consider a sale as growth slows is blocking an avenue for shareholders to recoup losses. Zynga shares are priced at the worst valuation in the industry. Facebook Co-Founder Moskovitz Sells Off Shares Associated Press Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz has shed 450,000 shares of the company for proceeds of about $9 million — a tiny chunk of his total stake. Moskovitz was Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard roommate when they founded Facebook in 2004. He left the company four years later. Report: Tablet Sales to Reach 450 Million by 2016 Business Insider Tablets and smartphones will not completely displace personal computers. But they will soon overwhelm them in unit sales. In a new report from BI Intelligence, tablet sales are estimated to reach 400 million units by 2016. Also, tablet owners "consume a huge amount of content." Netflix Deal to Bring Indie Films to U.S. Customers Next Web Netflix has pushed ahead with movie licensing deals, announcing a partnership with the new multi-platform distribution label Radius-TWC, an outfit backed by the Weinstein Company that will bring new indie films, such as "Bachelorette," to U.S. customers in early 2013. IAC's Diller Files Lawsuit Over BarryDriller Website Hollywood Reporter The broadcast networks aren't the only ones suing Alki David over BarryDriller.com, a new digital distributor of TV stations. Now, media mogul Barry Diller himself has filed a lawsuit against the company for violating his publicity rights and implying a false endorsement. YouTube Unveils Skippable Ads on Mobile Devices The Verge The desktop version of YouTube allows users to skip certain video advertisements after a few seconds, and now that same functionality is coming to mobile devices. The TrueView ad platform gives users the option to skip past an ad after five seconds, or watch the entire spot. Microsoft Xbox Adds Clips from NBC News Shows TechCrunch Microsoft continues to add content partners for Xbox, pushing the game console into the center of the living room. The latest update will add clips from popular NBC News shows including "Nightly News," "Dateline," "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and "The Rachel Maddow Show." Google Expands Ad-Supported Free Wi-Fi to Malls GigaOM Google and Boingo are building on their free Wi-Fi project in New York City, launching the advertising-paid access model in malls across the country. The project represents a growing trend to make Wi-Fi a free and readily accessible resource, while depending on ad views to pay the bill. YouTube Opens Elections Hub for Younger Viewers Los Angeles Times YouTube is launching an Elections Hub to provide extensive online campaign coverage. The new channel will feature political reporting from the likes of ABC News, the New York Times and BuzzFeed, as well as live streaming of the presidential and vice presidential debates. Hulu Unveils New Design with Personalization Focus CNET News Hulu is launching a redesigned website that replaces its traditional grid with larger images and focuses more on personalization. The changes to the streaming video site include a browse button and a "staff picks" list. Users will also find recommendations based on viewing history. Twitter, YouTube Make 'Call Me Maybe' a Summer Hit New York Times After pop star Justin Bieber and his pals posted a video of themselves lip-syncing to Carly Rae Jepsen's song "Call Me Maybe," hundreds of fan tributes followed. Bieber tweeted that the tune was "possibly the catchiest song ever heard." The tune reigned at No. 1 for nine weeks. Deloitte: Second Screens Are Replacing Print Media Associated Press The use of screens such as laptops, smartphones and tablets while watching TV is on the rise, according to a new report from Deloitte. Time spent browsing the web while watching TV "may be a substitute for reading newspapers and magazines, or looking through catalogs." Apple Boosts iPad Mini Production Ahead of Launch San Jose Business Apple is said to be planning to increase its iPad Mini production to prepare for the product's launch in October. The company is expected to boost production of the 7.85-inch device to 4 million a month, up from just a few hundred thousand being manufactured monthly. Groupon Loses Top Sales Exec as Investors Worry Wall Street Journal More bad news for Groupon: The daily-deals giant is losing top sales exec Jayna Cooke. In fact, Groupon is starting to show signs of having trouble managing its army of salespeople. Signs that the company is having trouble keeping salespeople motivated could worry investors. Twitter Eyes Expansion with Boost of Sales Team Media Week Twitter is expanding its U.K. office by nearly 50% as its moves to bolster its sales operation in Europe. The company plans to add 15 positions across sales, creative solutions and research, reporting to sales director Bruce Daisley, who joined Twitter from Google last December. IAC Bids $300 Million for New York Times' About.com Reuters Barry Diller's IAC/Interactivecorp is said to have submitted an offer in excess of $300 million to buy the About.com information site from the New York Times. IAC's bid is above the $270 million offer that the Times is believed to have preliminarily accepted from Answers.com. Apple Sets Record for Company Value at $624 Billion Associated Press Apple is Wall Street's all-time MVP — that's Most Valuable Property. On Monday, Apple's surging stock propelled the company's value to $624 billion, the world's highest, ever. It beat the record for market capitalization set by Microsoft in the heady days of the Internet boom. Facebook Investor Thiel Sells Bulk of His Holdings CNET News Peter Thiel, who in 2004 put in $500,000 to become Facebook's first outside investor, has revealed in a regulatory filing that he sold about 20 million shares on Thursday and Friday at prices between $19.69 to $20.70. That comes to about $400 million — an impressive return. Hulu Future in Doubt Amid Squabbling by Owners Fortune Hulu's big media owners should be crowing about the spectacular success of the streaming TV service. Instead, they are bickering bitterly, casting Hulu's future into doubt. If Hulu's owners opt to feed rivals with similar licensing deals, the video site's days may be numbered. YouTube Helps Boost Video Viewing on the Web PC Mag U.S. Internet users were busy watching video last month, helping boost online video views to 36.9 billion in July, according to data from comScore. Google sites, powered primarily by YouTube, continue to lead the charge, gaining about 2,500 additional viewers since June. Barnes & Noble Plots Nook's International Debut MarketWatch Barnes & Noble is planning the international debut of its Nook line of reading devices in the U.K. in October through retail partners and online, in its latest effort to drive growth. The rollout includes the E Ink Readers, Nook Simple Touch and Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight. Hulu Owners Consider Future Without CEO Kilar Variety A confidential internal memo regarding the business of Hulu covers many sensitive issues, including a "transition plan" in the event CEO Jason Kilar exits the streaming service. Kilar is due to receive an estimated $100 million from the buyout of co-owner Providence Equity Partners. News Corp's IGN Website Unit Head to Step Down AllThingsD Roy Bahat, who heads up News Corp.'s IGN web unit, is leaving the company. Bahat had spent more than a year trying to engineer a spinoff of the business, which publishes websites catering to young men who like video games. Bahat will continue as a member of IGN's board. Apple Stock Hits Record High Amid iPhone Rumors Los Angeles Times The frenzy surrounding the release of a new iPhone hit Wall Street on Friday, pushing Apple's stock to an all-time high — even though there has been no official product announcement or launch date. There is also a rumor that Apple might introduce an iTV television set. Facebook Stock Falls to Half of Public Offering Price Associated Press Facebook's stock fell to $19 for the first time on Friday, losing half its market value since the company's initial public offering in May. Investors have been concerned about the social network's ability to increase revenue and make money from its growing mobile audience. Yahoo Taps Google, Martha Veteran for Staff Chief Business Insider Andrew Schulte, a former product marketing manager at Google, is joining Yahoo as CEO Marissa Mayer's chief of staff. Schulte joined Google in 2007 in its ad sales department from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Schulte had managed Google+ marketing campaigns. WikiLeaks Founder Urges U.S. to End 'Witch Hunt' Associated Press WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has portrayed himself as a victim of an American "witch hunt" over his secret-spilling website in an address from Ecuador's embassy in London where he has holed up to avoid extradition. The U.S. risks "dragging us all into a dark, repressive world." Google: We Didn't Pay Bloggers to Cover Lawsuit Bloomberg Google said it didn't pay people to write about Oracle's lawsuit against it over Android software, although nonprofits, universities and trade groups receiving Google money have commented on the case. Oracle alleged Google maintains a network of direct and indirect "influencers." YouTube Founders Prep Online Magazine Service Business Insider Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, after leaving YouTube, the online video company they founded, are working on a "secret" project called Zeen. The project will allow users to make "beautiful magazines about the things [they] love." Zeen is currently in a closed beta release. Social Media Bubble Pops as Investors Lose Billions Fortune The social media bubble appears to have popped, with Facebook, Groupon and Zynga accounting for tens of billions in losses to investors. Still, social media remains an "effective way for other businesses to reach audiences. On that front, the social revolution is just starting." Facebook Shares Hit New Low as IPO Lock-Up Ends Associated Press Facebook's stock plunged to a new low as some of the social network's early backers got their first chance to sell shares since the company's IPO went awry. Shares have taken a hit amid concerns about whether Facebook is destined to become a passing fancy. Groupon Shares Drop to New Low Amid Slow Growth Crain's Chicago Groupon's shares have slumped to a new low that borders on penny-stock status as investors continue to flee. The price has been in free-fall all week. As the shares continue plunge, the chorus grows louder over whether CEO Andrew Mason can get the company back on track. Spotify, Pandora Spur Digital Music Sales Past CDs Bloomberg The CD's reign as the music industry's biggest U.S. revenue source will end this year, eclipsed by downloads and newer streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora, according to research by Strategy Analytics. Globally, digital music will surpass physical purchases in 2015. Yahoo Conducting Search for COO as No 2 to Mayer AllThingsD Yahoo is said to be hunting for a chief operating officer, presumably to be a worker-bee No. 2 to product-guru chief executive Marissa Mayer. Candidates both inside and outside of tech have been told that Yahoo is looking for someone with a focus on restructuring and finance. HuffPost Ad-Sales Chief Departs as Warrant Surfaces Advertising Age Huffington Post ad sales head Moritz Loew has left the company after just three months on the job. Loew confirms that his dismissal centers around a background check turning up an old, outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court related to a DWI charge in 2003. Thrillist Raises $13 Million for Media, E-Commerce Firm AllThingsD Oak Investment Partners is leading a new $13 million investment round in Thrillist, the dude-centric newsletter and e-commerce company, along with Bob Pittman's Pilot Group and Ken Lerer's Lerer Ventures. Thrillist was founded in 2005 by Lerer's son Ben. Hulu's 'Larry King Now' Eyes Run Through 2020 Los Angeles Times Larry King, after 25 years at CNN and a few years off, has returned with a new talk show, "Larry King Now," airing on Hulu. King's plan is to continue doing his Internet-based show for another seven years, until about 2020. According to Hulu exec Andy Forssell, King is "timeless." Netflix Adds Feature to Encourage More Viewing Next Web Netflix has introduced a "post-play" feature that makes it easier for users to watch several movies or TV episodes in a row. In practical terms, the "post-play" experience allows users to minimize the credits and fast forward to the next episode. The service is enabled by default. Aereo TV Distribution Service Seen Destined to Fail Los Angeles Times Aereo, the new distribution service backed by Barry Diller, has little chance of survival, a media analyst said. Besides the legal battles Aereo is facing with CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC and other broadcasters, there are questions about whether there is demand for the service. Facebook to Include More Ads in User News Feeds Bloomberg Facebook is testing an advertising service that lets companies place more promotional messages in users' news feeds. Companies can place ads in users' feeds on smartphones and personal computers even if those members or their friends haven't signaled they "like" the advertiser. Samsung Tablet Takes Aim at Apple iPad with Pen Associated Press Samsung's new Galaxy Note, available in the United States starting Thursday, is a $499 tablet that comes with a pen — or more precisely, a stylus. It doesn't leave marks on paper, but the tablet's screen responds to it. "It's precise, responsive and glides easily across the screen." WikiLeaks Founder Is Granted Asylum by Ecuador Associated Press Ecuador said it is granting political asylum to WiliLeaks founder Julian Assange two months after he took refuge in its London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning for alleged misconduct. Assange faces "a real threat of political persecution." Twitter Founders Unveil New Publishing 'Medium' Wall Street Journal The guys behind Twitter have launched a new publishing tool, touted as a means to help create and sift through content on the Internet. Where Twitter generates an enormous quantity of 140-character posts, the new Medium seems designed to prompt people to post longer items. EveryBlock Founder to Depart for 'Something New' Crain's Chicago Adrian Holovaty said he is leaving EveryBlock, the hyperlocal news site he founded in 2007 and sold to MSNBC three years ago. Holovaty has "developed an itch to do something new," he said. "I'm staying in Chicago, and I'm ready, once more, to make something awesome." Hulu 'Zombie Cookie' Lawsuit Allowed to Proceed Hollywood Reporter A California judge isn't allowing Hulu to dodge a claim of violating a privacy law by tracking users' online activity with cookies and other identifiers on their computers. Hulu attempted to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought last year over so-called "zombie cookies." Netflix to Expand Online Video Service Across Europe Bloomberg Netflix will start operating in the Nordic countries, entering a region with about 25 million people and expanding its push outside the United States. The online service will start offering movies and TV shows in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland before the end of 2012. Facebook Mulls Revealing Conversations to Lure Ads Wall Street Journal Under Madison Avenue liaison Carolyn Everson, Facebook is considering giving advertisers a sliver of data from conversations on the social network. For example, Facebook could tell advertisers how many people are talking about their brand — while not violating privacy policies. Google Allowed to Appeal Digital Books Class Status Reuters Google has won the right to appeal the granting of class status to thousands of authors suing the search engine company over its ambitious plan to create the world's largest library of digital books. Billions of dollars are at stake in the seven-year-old lawsuit. Apple's Share of Global Media Tablet Market Rises Dow Jones Apple's share of the global media tablet market is rising to nearly 70%, putting the company on pace to reclaim much of the dominance it surrendered in 2011, according to researcher IHS. "Apple is making all the right moves to rebuild its dominant position in the tablet space." Groupon Shares Plummet as Daily Deals Slow Down Dow Jones Groupon shares lost nearly a quarter of their value Tuesday and fell to their lowest point ever as a dramatic slowdown in the company's business of offering daily coupons for goods and services raised concerns about future growth. "The core daily-deal business is sharply slowing." WikiLeaks Back Online After Sustained Cyber Attack Financial Times WikiLeaks, the whistleblowing website, is back online after what it describes as a sustained cyberattack over the last nine days which it claimed was the work of a large organization. A WikiLeaks spokesman has implied that a link to the U.S. government is possible. Twitter Founder Previews New Publishing Platform Next Web Twitter co-founder Evan Williams is tweeting information about the forthcoming publishing platform he is building with co-founder Biz Stone and former Blogger exec Jason Goldman. "We're re-imagining publishing in an attempt to make an evolutionary leap." YouTube: Teens' Top Choice for Listening to Music Wall Street Journal Nearly two-thirds of U.S. teenagers said they use YouTube to listen to music, more than any other medium, according to a new consumer survey from Nielsen, one of many challenges facing record companies. Also, young people are less inclined to listen to CDs or the radio. Groupon's International Sales Slow Significantly Chicago Tribune Groupon said its international sales slowed significantly in the second quarter, raising new concerns about popularity of online coupons. The company blames weakness in Europe on regional economic problems that reduced the demand for more expensive online coupons. Twitter Acquires Mobile Testing Startup Clutch.io Wired Twitter is acquiring A/B app testing startup Clutch.io for its intellectual property, the microblogging company said. Clutch.io helps app developers test features to get feedback from their users. Developers can then hone their apps to make them more appealing. AOL's 'You've Got Mail' Audio Available on Gmail Mashable "You've got mail" was the catchphrase of the '90s web. But the popular welcome jingle faded away with pay-per-minute dial-up connections. Now you can add a little 1998 to your day with a new Google Chrome extension that plays AOL's familiar audio on Gmail accounts. HuffPost Live Seeking $5 Million from Sponsors Advertising Age The Huffington Post's new streaming video network is said to have initially asked $3 million to $5 million for launch sponsorships. The price of Verizon and Cadillac's launch sponsorships on HuffPost Live, which last through the end of the year, "each hit seven figures." Yahoo Preps #HashOut Social Media Talk Show CNET News Yahoo is working on a talk show called #HashOut with some big-hitter names like journalist Maria Shriver and "Lost" co-creator Damon Lindelof. Yahoo describes the show as "a new way to talk about the news," claiming it will be "the first talk show conducted over social media." Federated Media Publishing Blends Ads, Content ClickZ News Federated Media is introducing an ad product that finds relevant content and includes a marketer's written or video content within the editorial well, using the same design elements. Federated Media operates networks of bloggers, as well as running publishing programs for brands. Google Acquires Frommer's to Boost Local Reviews Wall Street Journal Google is acquiring the Frommer's guidebooks from publisher John Wiley & Sons for an undisclosed price, aiming to bolster its offerings of local reviews. The Internet giant is yet to decide whether Frommer's will continue in print or migrate entirely to online. Google acquired Zagat in 2011. Twitter, Facebook Compete for Olympics TV Airtime Los Angeles Times Twitter and Facebook each played up their partnerships with NBC during the Olympics. Facebook used the event to launch a feature called Talk Meter, which kept NBC viewers informed on which athletes and events the social network's nearly 1 billion users were buzzing about. Facebook to Air TV Show Simultaneously with Cable Financial Times The producers behind the hit TV show "American Idol" will release their latest reality TV series on Facebook -- the first TV show to air on the social network and a cable channel at the same time. The new "A Chance to Dance" will air simultaneously on the Ovation cable network. Google Denies Antipiracy Measure Skips YouTube CNET News Google denies that its new copyright-policing policy won't affect its own YouTube, despite the fact that the video site has been known to host illegally copyrighted material. The new policy demotes sites in search results if Google receives a lot of take-down notices. Netflix CEO Buys $1 Million in Facebook Stock CNNMoney Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix and a Facebook board member, has bought $1 million worth of shares in the social network, according to a regulatory filing. Other investors aren't quite so eager to load up on Facebook shares. The company's stock has tumbled since it went public. Yahoo CEO May Rethink Plan to Cut 2,000 Jobs Bloomberg Marissa Mayer has embarked on a strategy review that may result in a reversal of plans to restructure operations and return billions of dollars in cash to shareholders. Yahoo's new CEO is also exploring whether to proceed with plans outlined in April to cut about 2,000 jobs. Google to Cut 4,000 Jobs at Motorola Mobility Reuters Motorola Mobility, which was bought by Google last year for $12.5 billion, will cut 20% of its workforce and shut nearly a third of its offices worldwide, a Google spokeswoman said. "Motorola will be providing generous severance packages, as well as outplacement services." Barnes & Noble Slashes Price on Nook E-Readers Reuters Barnes & Noble is cutting prices on its Nook e-reader and tablet devices ahead of the peak of the back to school season and amid speculation that rival Amazon is preparing to launch a new Kindle Fire tablet. Amazon is the market leader with about 60% of e-reader sales. BuzzFeed to Launch Radio Show on Sirius XM Reuters Sirius XM will air "BuzzFeed Radio," a show hosted by the editors and reporters of BuzzFeed, the fast-growing site known for its viral content. The one-hour call-in show will air live to the satellite radio provider's 22 million subscribers on Tuesdays, repeating Wednesdays. Huffington Post Launches Live Streaming Network Huffington Post The Huffington Post will unveil its streaming video network on Monday. HuffPost Live aims to "open the conversation to community members around the world." In addition to the 10 hosts, HuffPost reporters, editors and bloggers will make regular appearances on the network. iVillage Taps Michelle Obama as First Guest Editor USA Today Michelle Obama is teaming up with iVillage to give families her tips on making the most of the back-to-school season. For one week starting Aug. 20, the first lady will serve as iVillage's first-ever guest editor, as part of a new series launching on the online community for women. Poll: Half of Young Americans Are Internet Addicts New York Post More than half of young Americans said they suffer from Internet addiction, struggling to stray from their devices and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they do, according to a poll by the shopping site couponcodes4u. Time spend online is "way out of balance." YouTube Channels Seen as Future Media Companies Wall Street Journal In the past two weeks, YouTube channels AwesomenessTV and Balcony TV have received funding from venture capital firms. VCs are betting that popular YouTube channels have the potential to eventually become global media companies. "This is the third wave of programming." Google Fiber Will Threaten Pay-TV, Research Says Advanced Television Google Fiber is something pay-TV operators should be "very, very afraid of," according to research group SNL Kagan. "Google is reinventing the business of pay-TV and broadband — and it may not need to wire every U.S. city to make an impact," said analyst Deborah Yao. Diller's Aereo Gets a Competitor in Barrydriller.com Wall Street Journal Alki David, CEO of the video site FilmOn, has started a new service in competition with Aereo, a Barry Diller-backed site which streams broadcast TV networks' signal over the web to paying subscribers. FilmOn's new site, Barrydriller.com, will be "drilling him a bit." Twitter, Facebook 'Control' Social Discovery of News Edelman Digital Twitter, Facebook, Apple, Google and Amazon influence the flow of all digital news today, according to a report from Edelman Digital. Twitter and Facebook "control social discovery." Media companies "that adapt to these five players will be in the best position to succeed." Yahoo New CEO Begins Makeover in Google's Image Wall Street Journal Marissa Mayer said she wants to rewire Yahoo to develop or acquire web services that take advantage of new "platforms" such as social networking, mobile devices, and technology that gives people information about their immediate surroundings, including local businesses. Facebook Sees Exit of Key Mobile, Marketing Talents USA Today Facebook has lost a handful of top-ranking execs since its poorly received IPO in May. The latest defections came last week, when Ethan Beard, the head of developing relationships with app makers, and Katie Mitic, platform marketing director, announced their departures. Zynga COO Leaves Game Maker After Reorganization CNET News Zynga COO John Schappert has resigned his executive position and left the troubled social-game maker's board, the company revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Schappert was replaced as head of the games division in a corporate restructuring last week. Google to Include People's Gmail in Search Results Associated Press Google is creating an information bridge between its Internet search engine and its Gmail service. The experimental feature will enable Google's search service to mine the correspondence stored within a user's Gmail account for any data tied to a search request. Pinterest Opens to All, Dropping Invite-Only Status Next Web Pinterest has moved away from its invite-only status and made the pinning service open for anyone to join. The move to open registration comes on the heels of the social site's latest redesign, which included the addition of new categories to help increase curation. Google, Facebook Forced to Address Mobile Future Financial Times Can the Internet giants find a future in mobile? More people now access the web on mobile phones than PCs in China, home to the world's largest population of Internet users. North America and Europe are not far behind in making that transition. "Mobile is a land grab at the moment." Facebook Taps New Mobile Revenue Stream: App Ads Advertising Age Facebook is trying a new ad unit to capitalize on growing use of mobile phones, a trend which threatens to cannibalize its advertising business. The new ad unit will allow advertisers to promote their mobile apps, and it joins "sponsored stories," Facebook's core product for advertisers. Twitter Helps Police on Threat to Broadway Theater Hollywood Reporter The New York Police Department said that Twitter is complying with a subpoena to provide information about an individual who tweeted threats to carry out an Aurora, Colo.-style shooting at Mike Tyson's one-man show on Broadway. One tweet said: "People are gonna die." Netflix, YouTube: Evidence Grows on TV Cord-Cutting Wall Street Journal The most intense debate in television today — whether the lure of Netflix and YouTube is causing viewers to disconnect their cable-TV service — is likely to intensify after new figures show a slight decline in pay-TV subscribers. TV execs so far are divided on cord-cutting. YouTube Channel AwesomenessTV Attracts Funding Los Angeles Times The media company that launched a YouTube channel targeting teens and tweens has drawn $3.5 million in funding from a group of investors led by venture capital firm MK Capital. AwesomenessTV has attracted some 12 million views since the channel premiered in June. Google, Oracle Must Reveal Pay to Journos, Bloggers Bloomberg Google and Oracle must disclose payments made to authors, journalists and bloggers who have reported on Oracle's copyright-infringement case over Android software, a judge has ruled. The disclosure is needed to make clear whether anything written about the case is "influenced." Yahoo New CEO Mayer Refuses to Define Company AllThingsD New Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, in her first meeting with employees at the company's New York offices, said she is not going to answer the perennial query: "What is Yahoo?" According to sources, Mayer told the crowd it is not the right way to look at the long-troubled company. Demand Media Boosts Internet Traffic, Breaks Even Reuters Demand Media is breaking even for the first time as a public company, as more people visit its websites. Demand, which relies on freelance writers to provide articles and videos designed to appear at the top of Internet searches, is also promoting Michael Blend to president. YouTube: The Collective Helps Stars Go Mainstream Los Angeles Times The Collective, a Beverly Hills-based management outfit, boasts a client roster that includes some of the biggest names on YouTube, including Dane Boedigheimer, creator of Annoying Orange. The firm secures TV, movie and touring opportunities, does marketing and sells ads. Apple Drops YouTube App from New iPhone, iPad Reuters Apple's new version of its iPhone and iPad software will not include a pre-loaded app for Google's video website YouTube. The move is the latest sign of the growing rivalry between the tech giants the once were closely aligned but now are vying for supremacy in mobile computing. Google Takes 'Top Global Brand' Title from Apple Search Engine Watch Buzz over new and improved products has helped Google surpass Apple to become the top global brand, according to General Sentiment's new report on global brands. Other companies in the top 10 include Amazon, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, Sony, Disney, FedEx and Yahoo. Facebook Launches App for Real-Money Gambling BBC News A real-money gambling app has been launched on Facebook -- the social network's first. Developed by London-based online gambling firm Gamesys, the app allows users aged 18 and over to play games for cash prizes. Only Facebook U.K. members will be able to view the app. Amazon Unveils Game Studio, Facebook Social Game Los Angeles Times Amazon has launched Amazon Game Studios, its first major foray into video game development, along with "Living Classics," a social game for Facebook. The studio "is exactly what it sounds like: a new team that's focused on creating innovative, fun and well-crafted games." Twitter Refuses to Identify Broadway-Threat Tweeter New York Post The New York Police Department is said to be planning to subpoena Twitter to force the social-media site to identify a poster who is threatening an Aurora, Colo.-style shooting rampage at Broadway's Longacre theater. "People are gonna die like aurora," said one tweet. Netflix: 'Arrested Development' Entire Cast to Return Deadline The new "Arrested Development" for Netflix is starting production. The entire cast of the cult Fox series — Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Portia de Rossi, David Cross, Jessica Walter, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat and Tony Hale — is expected to return. TVGuide.com, Others Develop Apps for 'Social TV' Wall Street Journal App developers are updating the traditional TV channel guide to show viewers programs that are relevant to them based on their social circles. TVGuide.com plans to relaunch its own channel-guide app later this month: "We're moving the TV listing grid to a 3-D experience." YouTube in Pact for Faith Friendly Outlet Alright TV Variety YouTube is entering a deal with the RLJ Companies to develop a faith-friendly channel, called Alright TV, focusing on "positive content that appeals to all demos, with a secular approach." Alright TV vows to offer "buzzworthy" programming in comedy, reality, self-help and talk. Google Should Pay $750 Per Book, Authors Claim Bloomberg Authors suing Google over the digitizing of books are asking a judge to order the company to pay $750 a book for illegal copying and distribution. Google is being sued over its plan to scan millions of books to provide snippets of text to people who use its Internet search engine. Yahoo: What Does CEO Mayer Plan for the 'Mess'? New York Post So far, the press surrounding Marissa Mayer's hire at Yahoo is focusing on her status as the youngest Fortune 500 CEO — and the first pregnant one. Little is being revealed about what Mayer's focus will be. "Is this a tech company that supports media, or the other way around?" Facebook Refugee's Book Questions Social Media Washington Post Katherine Losse, Facebook's 51st employee and Mark Zuckerberg's ghostwriter, said she came to question the vast amount of personal data the company gathers. She left Facebook and wrote a book, "The Boy Kings." Said Losse: "They are playing on very touchy territory." Twitter Confronts Ethics of Commercial Pressures Guardian The brief suspension of journalist Guy Adams' Twitter account is under the shadow of commercial incentive. Adams had been blocked after he posted tweets critical of NBC for its taped delays of the Olympic games; Twitter and NBC have a business partnership for the Olympics. Electronic Arts Sues Zynga Over 'Ville' Video Game Dow Jones Electronic Arts said it is suing Zynga for allegedly infringing its copyright-protected Facebook game "The Sims Social" with a new game "The Ville." EA claims the rival video-game maker willfully copied elements of its Sims game. The infringement is "unmistakable." Apple in Talks to Acquire Pinterest Rival The Fancy Business Insider Apple is said to be in talks to acquire The Fancy, a fast-growing social commerce site, aiming to secure a role for itself in the growing e-commerce market. While The Fancy is far smaller than archrival Pinterest, the startup is farther along in linking its users to transactions. Pinterest Tackling Eating Disorders with Blacklist Telegraph Pinterest, the social network that lets people "pin" photos of their favorite items to a virtual pinboard, is taking steps to stop users being able to search for content relating to eating disorders. The company is blacklisting words related to eating disorders, such as "thinspo." AOL Vows News Business Patch Profitable in 2013 Investor's Business Daily AOL CEO Tim Armstrong is committed to Patch, saying the network of nearly 900 local news sites is "ahead of the marketplace." According to Patch co-founder Warren Webster: "We can't tell you the end of the movie, but we know we'll be profitable by next year." Twitter Goes to the Movies as Vital Marketing Tool Wall Street Journal Twitter and Facebook are said to have helped Universal Pictures' "Ted," the motion picture about the foul-mouthed teddy bear, become a surprise hit. Many studio researchers are now analyzing posts and tweets to guide marketing decisions and help predict box office revenue. Google 'Intern' Motion Picture Comedy Due in 2013 Mashable "Wedding Crashers" duo Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson will portray interns at Google who are bossed around by managers half their age in "The Internship," a comedy set to premiere in 2013. The 20th Century Fox motion picture is to be filmed at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Yahoo CEO Nabs Google Exec for Public Relations AllThingsD New CEO Marissa Mayer has brought her first Googler over to Yahoo: longtime PR staffer Anne Espiritu. Espiritu worked closely with Mayer at the search giant, especially on media appearances and consumer products. Espiritu will be on Yahoo's corporate communications staff. Facebook Admits 83 Million Accounts May Be Fake MyFoxNY Facebook's share price dipped below $20 on Thursday after reporting slowing growth and an admission of an alarming number of fake accounts -- as many as 83 million. The social media company said that some people have set up accounts for non-human entities, such as pets. LinkedIn Plays Greater Role in Employment Market Associated Press LinkedIn is reporting strong revenue thanks to growth from ads and the fees it charges for access to its trove of professional profiles. LinkedIn's results indicate that it is playing a greater role in the employment market as millions more people look to find jobs and network online. AOL Chief Holds Fundraiser for Republican Politician Darien Times Tim Armstrong, CEO of AOL, hosted a fundraiser for Linda McMahon, Connecticut's Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, at his home in Greenwich, Conn., in June. A McMahon spokesperson described the event as "successful." Google Buys Social-Media Marketing Firm Wildfire Associated Press Google is buying a startup that specializes in social media marketing as competition with Facebook intensifies. The startup, Redwood City, Calif.-based Wildfire, helps businesses manage social media efforts. It's an important area for Google as use of social media increases. Amazon Takes On Apple with New Music Service Reuters Amazon has announced a scan-and-match digital music service, stepping up competition with Apple's iTunes. The service will find music files on users' computers, create matching versions of those songs and store them in the cloud. Apple introduced a similar offering last year. Apple Said to Unveil iPhone Redesign in September Bloomberg Apple is said to be preparing to introduce the next version of the iPhone on Sept. 12 in what will be a design overhaul. The new iPhone is expected to have a larger screen and thinner body. The design change will be Apple's first for its top-selling product since 2010. Google Delays Launch of Panned Nexus Q Gadget Reuters Google is postponing the launch of the Nexus Q, the Internet giant's first self-designed and marketed consumer electronics device, in a smudge on its budding hardware credentials. The streaming video box and audio amplifier is Google's first end-to-end hardware undertaking. Hulu Plus Subscription Service Arrives on Apple TV Next Web Hulu's subscription service Hulu Plus is coming to Apple TV, the movie and TV streaming platform announced on its blog. The move should further boost the growth of Hulu's premium offering. Hulu Plus passed the 2 million subscriber milestone earlier this year. Netflix Claim of Olympic Woes Seen as 'Ridiculous' SNL Kagan Netflix's assertions that the Olympic games would hurt its subscription growth are "ridiculous," according to analysts. Netflix most likely recognized that subscriptions were set to decline and used the Olympics as a scapegoat. Rival streaming services are "a more likely" cause. Gervais to Launch Comedy Series on His Own Site Associated Press Ricky Gervais announced on his blog that he is developing a web series called "Learn English with Ricky Gervais." The comedian said he had finished the pilot episode and that he would post it online for free. After that, he may charge a few dollars from viewers or seek sponsorship. Twitter: Journo's Account Restored After Backlash BBC News Twitter has restored the account of a journalist following a user backlash sparked by his suspension from the social network. Guy Adams' account was blocked after he criticized NBC's coverage of the Olympic games and posted the email address of one of its execs. Google Adding $200 Million to YouTube Channels Wall Street Journal Google said it will put another $200 million into its YouTube channel experiment as it attempts to upgrade its content from simple user-generated videos and to lure more viewers and advertising. YouTube is said to have secured $150 million in ads on the channels this year. YouTube Allows 64 Nations to Watch Olympics Free Atlantic The International Olympic Committee is providing free live streams of the Olympics to 64 Asian and sub-Saharan African countries on YouTube. Most of the territories that receive free access don't have media companies that could bid for rights to the games. Twitter Blocks Journo for Posting NBC Exec E-Mail Bloomberg Twitter blocked Independent newspaper journalist Guy Adams from the microblogging service after he posted the e-mail address of NBC Sports exec Gary Zenkel while complaining about delayed Olympics coverage. NBC notified Twitter because the tweet violated privacy policies. Yahoo Interim CEO Earns Big Severance Send-Off San Jose Mercury News After a brief stint as Yahoo's interim chief executive, Ross Levinsohn is leaving the company that spurned him for Silicon Valley superstar Marissa Mayer. The company is sending him off with 67,000 shares of restricted stock, worth $1 million at Monday's closing price of $15.98. Facebook: Firm Claims 80% of Ad Clicks Are Bots CNET Limited Run, a startup that helps bands and record labels sell music online, said it is abandoning Facebook after finding that 80% percent of its advertising clicks were coming from bots: "We tried contacting Facebook about this. Unfortunately, they wouldn't reply." Twitter Rolls Out 'Cashtag' Clickable Stock Symbols Next Web Twitter is rolling out the ability for users to click on stock symbols with a $ sign in front of them. Once they are clicked on, users will be able to see all of the conversation about a particular company, much like a hashtag. The embeds haven't yet been updated to reflect the feature. Digg to Return with Big Images, Ad-Free Experience Mashable Digg is emerging after a six-week hiatus with an image-heavy design devoid of advertising and stories chosen by editors that will be based on shares on Facebook and Twitter as well as Diggs. The new site, coming Aug. 1, will offer an "image-friendly and ad-free experience." Apple's Jobs Biographer Fights E-Books Subpoena CNET Walter Isaacson won't have to comply with a subpoena served by the U.S. Justice Department as part of its antitrust suit against Apple and some of the largest book publishers. A judge has said that Steve Jobs' biographer doesn't have to turn over unpublished notes for now. Twitter, Facebook Users Jam Olympics Telecasts Associated Press Social media users helped cause problems for traditional broadcasters during the first day of the London Olympics. Broadcasting services were jammed by "hundreds of thousands" of people sending texts, pictures and updates to social networks. "We should have foreseen that." Yahoo New CEO Said to Eye Google Media Exec Business Insider Marissa Mayer's first big hire as Yahoo CEO will be Henrique De Castro, Google's president of global media, mobile and platforms, according to sources. De Castro's duties are expected to be "sales and business development." Ross Levinsohn currently runs media for Yahoo. Amazon CEO Gives $2.5 Million for Gay Marriage Associated Press Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, are donating $2.5 million to the campaign to defend Washington's same-sex marriage law. With the "game changer" gift, Washington United for Marriage has raised more than $5 million for its campaign. Apple Officials Said to Consider Stake in Twitter New York Times Apple is said to have talked with Twitter in recent months about making a strategic investment in the microblogging service. The two companies are not in negotiations at the moment. Apple, while a maker of popular phones and tablets, "has not made many friends in social media." Facebook Shares Hit New Low as Concerns Linger Dow Jones Facebook shares hit a new low Friday as the company continued to struggle to convince investors it can leverage its popularity into stronger revenue and profits. The social network is offering few specifics on how it plans to profit from users spending more time on mobile devices. Google Urges End to Authors' Digital Book Lawsuit Reuters Google has taken the offensive against thousands of authors claiming it copied their works without permission, and urged the end of a class-action lawsuit arising from its plan to build the world's largest digital book library. Google said authors are seeing "no economic harm." Google Takes On Cable, Telcos with TV Service Wired The first high-speed citywide network built by Google will bring Kansas City residents not just super-fast Internet but full cable-style TV service. Google said it will offer downloads and uploads "100 times" faster than the typical broadband connections now in most U.S. homes. Facebook: We're Still in Early Days of Monetization Businessweek On Facebook's first post-earnings-report conference call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company is focusing on growth areas of mobile and social ads. COO Sheryl Sandberg also spoke, admitting: "We are still in the early days of building our monetization engine." Twitter's Ambitions Tested by Olympics Eve Outage CNET Twitter has an Olympic-size headache on its hands. The microblogging site is making a push to be a bigger part of live events, but had trouble keeping its feeds up and running on the eve of one of its biggest, the London Olympics, citing an "infrastructural double-whammy." Amazon Addresses Slower Growth in Media Sales Associated Press Is the glow from the Kindle Fire fading? Amazon said that the tablet, which was launched in November, remained its top-selling item in the April-to-June period. But the device's positive impact on sales of digital books, movies and music appears to be weaker. Groupon Hits New Low, Draws Critics Over CEO Chicago Sun-Times Groupon's sparkle is dimming as the company has seen its stock value shrink to less than one-third of its IPO price. The daily deals outfit still is not profitable and faces fundamental issues with its business model. Investors "struggle to take CEO Andrew Mason seriously." YouTube Founders Test Magazine-Focused App Next Web YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen's new project, called Zeen, has gone live to people who applied for beta access. After connecting to social-media accounts, users get the option to create their first "magazine," choosing from a number of templates. Google, Facebook Form Washington Lobbying Group Washington Post Google, eBay, Amazon and Facebook are launching a lobbying group, The Internet Association, to try to raise their voice in Washington as federal officials focus their sights on their largely unregulated tech industry. Leading the group will be politico Michael Beckerman. Twitter Creator Joins Ranks of World's Billionaires Bloomberg Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's mobile payment company, Square, is in the process of closing a $200 million investment, which will elevate the 35-year-old web developer's stake to $845 million. Coupled with his ownership in Twitter, Dorsey will become a billionaire. Zynga Shares Plunge, Loss Could Hurt Facebook Telegraph Zynga's stock has plummeted after the online game maker reported a $22.8 million loss in the second quarter, and the poor results could hurt Facebook, which reports its earnings on Thursday. Most of Zynga's games are played on the social networking giant's site. Apple-Amazon War Heats Up in E-Book Creation Wall Street Journal Apple is trying to chip away at Amazon's e-book business with new technology to build interactive e-books, called iBooks Author. In response, Amazon is testing its own similar technology with publishers. "They are rivals and the rivalry is going to get worse." EBay May Allow Children to Purchase Products Wall Street Journal EBay said it may allow consumers who are under 18 years old to set up accounts and access its site to buy T-shirts, jewelry, school supplies or other products. To appease privacy concerns, the Internet company likely will require the accounts have parental authorization. AOL to Transform Patch Into Craigslist Competitor Advertising Age AOL CEO Tim Armstrong said that the new Patch hyper-local news network, to be unveiled later this year, "is really about unlocking the vitality in towns ... groups, commerce." Sites like Craigslist that sell used merchandise "haven't really scaled into communities." Twitter in Talks to Launch Original Video Series Adweek Twitter is said to be in talks with Hollywood producers and network execs about launching several original video series via the microblogging service. Twitter is pitching advertisers on a video series that would live on its site and allow users to participate in real time in some fashion. Google to Discuss Internet Service in Kansas City AllThingsD Google, coy for more than a year about what it has in store for Kansas City, said it will reveal more on Thursday. The Internet giant posted a 30-second video under the headline "Google Fiber is coming," regarding its ultra-high-speed Internet service coming to the city. Verizon, Redbox to Test New Web Video Service AllThingsD Verizon and Redbox unveiled plans for a joint-venture video service earlier this year. The two companies are now announcing that the service has a name, Redbox Instant by Verizon, as well as a CEO, Shawn Strickland. A full launch is "anticipated later this year." Netflix Says Olympics Will Hurt Subscriber Growth Multichannel News Netflix expects NBC's coverage of the Olympic Games to have a "negative impact" on U.S. viewing and subscriber signups for the quarter. The company said it gained 530,000 streaming U.S. subscribers in the second quarter, but growth rates were well below first-quarter results. Apple Sells 17 Million iPads, 26 Million iPhones PC Magazine Apple has reported sales of 26 million iPhones and 17 million iPads during the most recent quarter. The company also said during an afternoon conference call that it has "amazing new products in our pipeline that we look forward to discussing with you in the future." Facebook Said to Eye 'Want' Button for Purchases CNNMoney Facebook is said to be developing a "want" button as a way for users to share coveted items with their friends. Such a button could be the social network's "first true product to directly impact commerce on the site." Facebook declines to comment on chatter about the button. Foursquare to Test 'Organic, Relevant' Paid Ads New York Times Foursquare is kicking off a pilot program to test paid ads. The mobile app that allows users to share their locations with friends is calling the ads Promoted Updates, echoing the Promoted Tweets terminology used by Twitter. About 20 advertisers will be taking part in the pilot. AOL Says Patch Continues to Double Its Revenue Poynter In its second-quarter earnings report, AOL said Patch "grew traffic and engagement at double digit rates year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter." Traffic to AOL's sites is improving, observers point out, "which by AOL's standards means it is shrinking less." Diller's IAC Takes $18.6 Million Charge on NewsBeast Hollywood Reporter Barry Diller's IAC is reporting improved second-quarter financials exceeding Wall Street expectations. The company is also posting mixed results for its media segment that now includes a majority stake in Newsweek Daily Beast, for which IAC took an $18.6 million charge. Netflix Hires Warner Bros Veteran for Marketing Advertising Age Netflix is naming Kelly Bennett its chief marketing officer. Bennett joins the company after a nine-year stint at Warner Bros., where he most recently was VP-interactive, worldwide marketing. There he led online campaigns for such blockbusters as the "Harry Potter" films. Hulu Unveils 'Sleeker, Friendlier' Web Video Player PC Magazine Hulu is launching an updated web video player with a "sleeker, chromeless and friendlier interface." The new player features a 10-second rewind feature that lets viewers quickly jump back with a single click. A new "Up Next" feature allows for browsing through other videos. Yahoo's Ousted CEO Joins Web Shopping Service CNNMoney Scott Thompson, after a scandalous exit from Yahoo, is landing on his feet as the CEO of ShopRunner. The two-year old online shopping service said that Thompson will take the company's reins, and its co-founder and existing CEO Mike Golden will stay on as president. WikiLeaks Film Eyed by 'Bourne's' Jeremy Renner Deadline Jeremy Renner, star of this summer's "The Bourne Legacy," is said to be considering playing Julian Assange in the WikiLeaks film being developed by DreamWorks. The studio is also said to be having conversations with "Twilight" saga's Bill Condon about directing. Twitter, NBC Enter Partnership for the Olympics Wall Street Journal Twitter plans to open an Olympics hub, in partnership with NBCUniversal, which will be one of the first times the company serves as an official narrator for a live event. With the partnership, Twitter hopes to use the Olympics as a launch pad into a more sustainable business. Apple, Google Said to Eye Mobile Ad-Tech Startups Crain's New York More than 100 new mobile advertising-tech firms are estimated to have joined the market over the past three years. They can't all survive, but there could be riches in store for the ones that do. "Apple and Google aren't done making their acquisitions." Google Tenants Enjoy Access to Fast Connections New York Post Livestream and Spotify, which rent office space in Google's building at 111 Eighth Avenue in New York, enjoy access to some of the fastest Internet connections in the city. "A very large amount of Internet data flows through this building — the biggest amount of data in the Northeast." Yahoo's Future Seen as Both Media, Tech Company Advertising Age Yahoo "needs to be a product company again, and media alone isn't a good enough product. Yahoo needs to build the tools and services that bind its 700 million users into its world. The debate of Yahoo as a tech company vs. a media company has been settled: It must be both." Amazon Inks Exclusive Video Deal with Warner Bros Variety A new subscription video-on-demand deal between Amazon and Warner Bros. Television is stepping up the competition in a category dominated by Netflix. The agreement marks the first time the retail giant has obtained exclusive rights to either TV or movie content. Netflix, YouTube Are Top Apps for Smart-TV Users Los Angeles Times Netflix and YouTube streaming video apps top the list of most popular smart-TV apps for current owners and consumers, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. "It is only a matter of time before we see the mainstream use of additional content apps being used on the TV." Diller, Rudin in Talks to Launch E-Book Business Deadline Barry Diller and Scott Rudin are said to be in exploratory talks to launch an e-book business for both fiction and non-fiction. An announcement of a venture launch is expected shortly "with major investment capital." Both Diller and Rudin are big players in media and tech. Seacrest Taps Former Yahoo Exec for New Media Deadline Ryan Seacrest Productions has expanded its executive ranks by hiring digital entertainment exec Sibyl Goldman as EVP of new media. Goldman will manage all digital entertainment strategy and content initiatives for the company. Goldman is a veteran of Lifetime Television. MySpace Gets a Makeover with Timberlake's Help Forbes The new MySpace, under owner Specific Media, will be a socially-powered venue where music fans can experience artists through every facet of their output — music, videos, social feeds, live events and ticket sales. The refurbished site will open to the public later this year. Digg to Relaunch in August After Total Rebuild CNET Betaworks, the company that acquired the remaining parts of Digg, said it will have a brand-new version of the social-news site up and running in less than two weeks. Betaworks said that part of bringing Digg back involves "rebuilding it from scratch," which the firm is currently doing. Reddit Becomes Newswire for Colorado Shooting New York Observer Shortly after the shooting at "The Dark Knight Rises" screening in Colorado, Reddit users raced to compile as much information on the tragedy as possible. In the process, the link aggregation giant became a real-time feed of raw data, published for a fully-engaged audience. YouTube: We Have Finally Found a Business Model TechCrunch Google exec Nikesh Arora touted growth at YouTube on the company's earnings call, saying that the giant video site had finally found a business model that works. "YouTube unites the world through video," he said, noting the site's participation in this year's Summer Olympics. Hulu CEO's Future Held Up by Talks Over Stake Sale Business Insider Hulu CEO Jason Kilar doesn't have a contract, and talks to re-sign him haven't begun, according to sources. The hold-up is that Hulu parents Disney, Comcast and News Corp. are in talks with its fourth part-owner, Providence Equity Partners, about buying out its stake. Yahoo CEO to Earn $1 Million Salary Plus Big Bonus CNET Yahoo revealed in a regulatory filing that it will pay new CEO Marissa Mayer an annual salary of $1 million. She will also be eligible for an annual bonus with a "target amount of 200% of base salary" that will be tied to her performance and the performance of the company. Twitter Rolls Out Targeted Tweets for Big Advertisers PC Magazine Twitter has unveiled a new advertising tool that will let companies target their tweets at specific users. With targeted tweets, companies can post messages that only appear for users in specific regions or on certain devices. Global brands can send tweets with tailored messages. Google's New Tablet Ships Out Amid Heavy Demand CNET Google said the Nexus 7, its hotly anticipated new tablet computer, is shipping to customers who preordered it this week. "We've had incredible demand for the new tablet and are shipping them as quickly as possible," the Internet giant said in an e-mail to customers. Apple iPad Used More for Video, Music Than Reading CNET Web surfing, watching video, looking at photos and listening to music dominate iPad owners' time with their tablet, according to a new study by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. Just 8% of survey respondents said they use the iPad to read books or magazines. Yahoo: Levinsohn's Unclear Status Raises Questions Dow Jones The status of Yahoo interim CEO Ross Levinsohn remains unclear after the appointment of Marissa Mayer as chief exec. That raises questions about potential upheaval among the rank and file he has put in place at the company. "Everyone pretty much expects him to leave." Twitter's Director of Communications to Step Down TechCrunch Matt Graves, director of communications at Twitter, announced via a tweet that he will step down from his post and take some time off. It is not clear yet who will replace him. Graves's exit means the company has lost three communications directors in a little over six months. Apple Must Publish Notice Samsung Didn't Copy iPad Bloomberg Apple has been ordered by a judge to publish a notice on its U.K. website and in British newspapers alerting people to a ruling that Samsung didn't copy designs for the iPad. The notice should outline a London court decision that Samsung tablets don't infringe Apple's designs. Pocket Raises $5 Million in Second Funding Round Capital New York Pocket, formerly known as Read It Later, an app that bookmarks articles and web pages for future consumption, has raised a second round of funding. Pocket secured a $5 million investment that will allow it to "accelerate its vision to change the way people consume content." SayMedia Raises $27 Million, Eyes More Acquisitions AllThingsD SayMedia, owner of ReadWriteWeb and other sites, has raised $27 million in technically its first round, led by investors New Enterprise Associates, along with Shea Ventures and Correlation Ventures. CEO Matt Sanchez said he plans to acquire more sites. Apple Must Publish Notice Samsung Didn't Copy iPad Bloomberg Apple has been ordered by a judge to publish a notice on its U.K. website and in British newspapers alerting people to a ruling that Samsung didn't copy designs for the iPad. The notice should outline a London court decision that Samsung tablets don't infringe Apple's designs. Hulu to Stream UK Comedy 'Thick of It' Un-Bleeped Associated Press The cult favorite "The Thick of It" is coming to Hulu in its full, expletive-ridden glory. The video website will stream the upcoming fourth season of the British political comedy, offering American viewers their first uncensored look at Armando Iannucci's show, a critical hit. YouTube Offers Face-Blurring Tool to Aid Dissidents Wired Saying it wanted to help to protect dissidents who appear in videos shared on YouTube, Google has launched a tool that can blur their faces in footage uploaded to its servers. "Our face blurring technology is a first step towards providing visual anonymity for video on YouTube." Yahoo Edges in on NBC's Coverage of the Olympics AllThingsD On the heels of Facebook's disclosed partnership with NBC to cover the Olympic Games, Yahoo said it will offer connected TV and second-screen experiences to complement NBC's Olympic coverage. Yahoo's plan is to push consumers to use the company's connected apps. Foursquare Local Updates Takes On Google, Twitter ClickZ A new updating service from Foursquare will let businesses target repeat customers with news, specials and deals. Foursquare Local Updates let merchants send text, photos and specials to customers who have either checked into a business several times or liked it on Foursquare. Facebook: A Top Source of Traffic to Online Publishers BuzzFeed Facebook has risen to challenge Google's place as the most important source of traffic to online publishers, according to data from BuzzFeed's sample of web referrals to about 200 publishing sites. BuzzFeed partners include Time, the Daily Mail, Funny or Die and TMZ. Yahoo Names Adweek, TheStreet Veterans as Editors Capital New York In a move to reinforce its commitment to original journalism, Yahoo has named Hillary Frey, who joined the company from Adweek almost a year ago, as editor-in-chief of Yahoo News. Also, Aaron Task, a former editor at TheStreet.com, has been named editor-in-chief of Yahoo Finance. Yahoo's New CEO Won't Snub the Media Business Variety Yahoo CFO Tim Morse, during a conference call with analysts, scotched speculation that the company would pull away from its strength in content to focus on tech in keeping with new CEO Marissa Mayer's background. Both tech and content "are imperative to our success." Facebook Bashed for User Satisfaction, E-Business MSNBC Facebook has received the lowest ranking among social media sites for customer satisfaction, in a new study by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Facebook, which was among the "five lowest-scoring companies," also set a "new record-low score for e-business." YouTube: Obama, Romney Campaign Ads Yanked Politico A day after forcing YouTube to pull a Mitt Romney campaign advertisement featuring a snippet of Barack Obama singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," music publisher BMG Rights Management is doing likewise with videos of the president's crooning. Yahoo Adds Tom Hanks Series to Video Line-Up Bloomberg Yahoo is pushing for a larger share of the online video audience with "Electric City," an animated sci-fi series featuring Tom Hanks. The series marks a high-profile bid to improve Yahoo's standing as an original producer and close the gap with Google and its YouTube unit. LivingSocial Eyes Live Events in Groupon Rivalry CNBC Living Social CEO Tim O'Shaughnessy has shed some light on how he plans to distinguish his company from rival Groupon. O'Shaughnessy wants LivingSocial to offer services that Groupon can't compete with. The company is also making a push to be a destination for live events. Barnes & Noble Preps 'Revolutionary' New Tablet CNET Barnes & Noble is said to be preparing to bring out a new 7-inch Nook tablet device that will be "lighter" and feature "revolutionary screen technology." The Nook Store will also be expanded with additional media options, including "some not seen before on a tablet." Survey: E-Book Sales Soar as Store Sales Drop Associated Press Sales of e-books more than doubled from 2010 to 2011, according to a new survey of nearly 2,000 publishers by the Book Industry Study Group and the Association of American Publishers. E-revenue for new adult fiction is now higher than the revenue for hardcovers. Study: Tablet Users Frequently Engage with Ads ClickZ Nearly half of tablet users say they engage with advertisements more than once a week, according to a recent report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Also, 59% of tablet users said that they regularly conduct local searches on mobile devices while home watching TV. Yahoo's Mayer Move Stuns Media, Tech Industries San Jose Mercury News Yahoo's move to name Google VP Marissa Mayer its new CEO is seen as a gamble that a high-profile female exec with the mojo of one of the world's most successful companies can succeed in a job where many others have failed. Also, on Monday, Mayer tweeted that she is pregnant. AOL Preps Shift in Marketing Focus to Its Brands Financial Times AOL CEO Tim Armstrong plans to announce the appointment of Jolie Hunt, previously of Thomson Reuters, as chief marketing officer, along with a shift in the company's marketing to focus on its stable of brands, such as the Huffington Post, TechCrunch and Moviefone. Facebook Suffers Big Share Drop Amid Concerns Bloomberg Facebook posted its biggest one-day share drop since May 29 amid investor concerns the company's earnings report next week will point to slowing sales growth. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that his hardest job is figuring out how to adapt Facebook to mobile devices. Twitter Unpopular Among Teenagers, Report Says Los Angeles Times A little more than one in 10 teens say they use Twitter every day, according to a report by Business Insider. Some 72% of teens with a Twitter account say they never use it. Teens' lack of interest in Twitter may be attributable to their general lack of interest in news, a Twitter staple. Google Makes New Concessions to EU Regulators Financial Times Google has submitted a revised package of concessions to address the concerns of Europe's top competition authority, bringing the talks to settle the EU antitrust probe to a critical juncture. Should Google refuse to compromise, it could face fines of up to 10% of its global revenue. Yahoo Names Google Exec Mayer Its New CEO San Francisco Chronicle In a surprise move, Yahoo announced that Google VP Marissa Mayer will be its next CEO. Mayer will be the Internet company's fifth CEO in five years. She will take over the post currently held by interim CEO Ross Levinsohn, becoming one of the top-ranking women in Silicon Valley. Hulu Hosts Larry King's Online Interview Program New York Times Larry King's new interview program on the Internet, announced earlier this year, has found a home on Hulu. "Larry King Now's" first interview, with Seth MacFarlane, is now on the video streaming site. Interviews with Meghan McCain and Matthew McConaughey are coming. TiVo to Buy Tracker of TV Viewer Shopping Habits New York Times TiVo is expected to announce that it has acquired full ownership in TRA, a research company that has found success in recent years with a system that matches up TV viewing with consumer buying habits. TiVo will spend about $20 million to buy out other investors in TRA. Apple CEO is Star of Sun Valley Media Conference Reuters Apple CEO Tim Cook was the "hot executive" at the 30th edition of the renowned Allen & Co. media conference, which came to a close on Saturday. Cook drew everyone's attention, as Apple continues to play a key role in shaping the convergence of media and technology. Facebook: Mobile Shift Is Our Biggest Challenge Bloomberg Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his hardest job is figuring out how to adapt the world's largest social network to mobile devices. The user experience is different than on desktop computers, he said at the Allen & Co. media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. Google's Game Plan Includes More Media Content New York Post Google could become a major bidder for sports rights, said chief Eric Schmidt, speaking at the Allen & Co. conference. "When the monetization is good enough, we'll be able to add other sports" beyond cricket, which Google's YouTube has offered on a subscription basis. Microsoft Preps News Operation After NBC Venture Seattle Times Microsoft and NBC are dissolving their joint venture in MSNBC.com, ending a grand experiment in online news conceived early in the dot-com era. NBC is re-branding the site as NBCNews.com, while Microsoft is developing a new, independent news operation to debut this fall. Hulu CEO Kilar Becomes Buzz of Silicon Valley CNBC Silicon Valley is buzzing about the potential Yahoo CEO candidate who said he is not interested in the job: Hulu CEO Jason Kilar. Internet titans regard him as one of the best in the biz of making money on digital content distribution, which a number of them are trying to figure out. Study: YouTube Emerging as Major News Platform Associated Press YouTube is emerging as a major platform for news, one to which viewers increasingly turn for eyewitness videos in times of major events, says a study by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism. "There's a new form of video journalism on this platform." Survey: Netflix Users Watching More TV Shows Media Life Netflix is mainly used for watching movies, but TV content is growing popular on the video service. Some 19% of Netflix users view TV shows most often while streaming content, according to a survey by Nielsen, up 8 percentage points from 11% who said the same last year. Diller Says Aereo Will Expand to Large U.S. Cities Bloomberg Aereo, the online TV service backed by Barry Diller, will expand from New York to other large U.S. cities following a favorable court ruling, he said. "Within a year and a half, certainly by '13, we'll be in most major" markets. "We're going to really start marketing." MobiTV Pulls IPO, Citing 'Unfavorable' Conditions Bloomberg MobiTV, the maker of software that lets smartphone users watch live TV, withdrew its plans for an initial public offering, citing "unfavorable market conditions." The company filed for a $75 million IPO in August. The tech IPO market has slowed since Facebook's troubled offering. Apple Preps Smaller Tablet 'for Women's Purses' New York Times Apple is said to be developing a new tablet with a 7.85-inch screen that is likely to sell for less than the $499 iPad, with its 9.7-inch display. The product is expected to be announced this year. While a seven-inch device is too big for pants pockets, it is "a good size for women's purses." Twitter is Still Explaining Itself to Big Advertisers AllThingsD Twitter won't talk publicly about its efforts to sell advertising. But one can get a glimpse of what the microblogging service is doing via a pitch deck it recently used to woo a big publicly traded company. Twitter "is still doing lots of basic explaining about what it is and how it works." Digg: We Failed Because 'Social Media Grew Up' Wall Street Journal In his first interview since the remains of fallen social-media star Digg were sold to Betaworks, founder Kevin Rose said he sold some company shares during its venture-capital financing rounds but "did not make a lot of money." Digg was outmaneuvered by Facebook and Twitter, he said. Study: Social Media Top News Source for Youth Telegraph Young people are almost twice as likely to discover a news story through social networks rather than search engines, according to the first Reuters Institute Digital Report. Some 43% of Britons aged between 16 and 24 are now much more likely to access news through social media. Apple Preps iTunes Overhaul to Improve Sharing Bloomberg Apple is said to be planning an overhaul of iTunes that would mark one of the largest changes to the world's biggest music store since its 2003 debut. The company will more closely integrate its iCloud file-storage service with iTunes and also plans new features for sharing music. Yahoo, Clear Channel in Digital Radio Partnership CNET Yahoo is teaming up with radio giant Clear Channel on a distribution and cross-promotional deal, expanding on its strategy of striking content-sharing deals with traditional media brands. Yahoo will use Clear Channel's iHeartRadio platform as its official digital radio service. Google Unveils Tablet, Home Entertainment System San Jose Mercury News Google has announced that it will sell a new digital home entertainment console and a $199 7-inch tablet computer aimed at bolstering its competition with Apple, Amazon and other rivals. "At the end of the day it's an indirect way of highlighting their core business." Facebook Shares May Stay Less Than IPO Price Bloomberg Facebook analysts including those at lead underwriter Morgan Stanley say the social-network operator is worth no more than its debut price of $38. "Super-high multiples and decelerating growth don't mix well. ... Investors probably have a right to be a little bit upset." Yahoo Continues Media Push with New Exec Hires TechCrunch Yahoo interim CEO Ross Levinsohn has continued his focus on media with three new executive hires: Rich Cusick worked for Daily Candy and Gemstar TV Guide; John Buchanan was a marketing VP at Electronic Arts; and Scott Bushman held roles at Metacafe and Disney. Twitter: We Won't Rival Old Media or Hire Journalists Financial Times CEO Dick Costolo insists that Twitter does not want to compete with traditional media. "Twitter is increasingly breaking the news, but I don't think of us as a news organization because we don't and won't employ journalists. We will partner with existing media companies." HuffPost in Deal to Embed Citizen Journalist Videos Next Web The Huffington Post has entered an exclusive agreement with live streaming service Ustream, allowing the news-and-opinion website to embed videos by citizen journalists on its breaking news pages. "Viewers everywhere will now have a raw and unedited perspective." Planet Daily Video News Venture Hires ABC Exec Capital New York Ed O'Keefe, executive producer of ABC News Digital, will leave the network in July for a job as editor-in-chief of a forthcoming video-news site currently referred to as Planet Daily, a new company from Lerer Ventures, the venture-capital fund run by Huffington Post veterans. Microsoft Eyes CBS Veteran for Entertainment Post Deadline Microsoft is said to be in talks with former CBS TV exec Nancy Tellem for a high-level post leading its efforts in entertainment. The job is expected to oversee creative and business partnerships, as well as the production of original content across Microsoft platforms. Netflix Wants U.S. Help Against Cable Data Caps Bloomberg Netflix has asked U.S. lawmakers to prevent cable providers from squelching its growth by imposing online-data consumption limits for customers. Netflix spoke in testimony submitted for a hearing before the House communications and technology subcommittee. Yahoo to Distribute Streaming Music Service Spotify AllThingsD Spotify has entered a distribution deal with Yahoo, which the portal said will eventually get the streaming music service in front of 700 million users worldwide. If Yahoo sends Spotify new paid subscribers, it will get a cut of the revenue those subscribers generate. Twitter Hires Horizon Amid Mainstream Ad Push Advertising Age Twitter has hired independent media shop Horizon in conjunction with the airing of its first TV ad. The relationship, which is understood to be ongoing, coincides with Twitter's foray into mainstream advertising and is also indicative of a continued commitment to consumer marketing. AOL Offers Cross-Platform Ads for Desktop, Mobile ClickZ AOL is launching a series of premium ad formats for mobile devices and tablets. The technology enables brands to build and tailor cross-platform campaigns in real-time. Advertisers will be able to incorporate five applications in mobile ads running on the technology. Zynga Plans to Build a Social Network for Gamers Reuters Zynga has unveiled a social network for gamers dubbed "Zynga with Friends," hoping to wean itself from a longstanding, symbiotic relationship with Facebook. The game publisher has been under pressure to reverse a steep slide in its stock price in recent months. Facebook to Become 'More Valuable' Than Google Campaign Fears surrounding Facebook's IPO are short-sighted, as Mark Zuckerberg's social network is set to become more valuable than the $200 billion behemoth Google, according to David Jones, global CEO of Havas. "Clearly there's a massive opportunity in advertising." Google Risks Becoming 'Monopoly' in Publishing Reuters Google risks becoming a publishing monopoly within a few years, according to Italy's antitrust chief, Giovanni Pitruzzella. Antitrust regulation should extend to Internet media, which are competing with traditional publishing companies for advertising revenues, he argues. Amazon in Fox Deal to Take On Netflix in Britain Reuters LoveFilm, Amazon's European DVD and movie streaming service, has agreed to stream movies and TV shows from Twentieth Century Fox TV, adding content from another studio. LoveFilm already has exclusive streaming deals with NBC Universal, Sony and Warner Bros. Facebook Names COO to Social Network's Board Associated Press Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's No. 2 exec, has become the first woman on the social-networking company's board of directors. Sandberg was lured from Google in 2008 to become Facebook's COO. There had been calls for Facebook to add women to its board ahead of its IPO. Microsoft Buys Yammer in $1.2 Billion Cash Deal Reuters Microsoft has agreed to buy online social network firm Yammer for $1.2 billion, allowing the software giant to offer a service like Facebook's to corporate customers. Talk of a deal had circulated earlier this month, but the two companies only confirmed an agreement on Monday. Google Tablet Rumored as Conference Kicks Off San Jose Mercury News Some 5,500 software developers are headed for the Google's annual I/O conference in San Francisco this week, hoping to glimpse the first Google-branded tablet and learn about other new developments from the Internet giant. Google's tablet is described as an "open secret." Zinio Digital Magazine Reader Puts Itself Up for Sale Fortune Zinio, a digital magazine reading platform that competes with Amazon's Kindle app and Apple's Newsstand, is seeking a buyer. The company has hired investment bank Montgomery & Co. to manage the process. Zinio is said to be seeking between $50 million and $100 million. BermanBraun Launches Parenting Website Mom.me AllThingsD BermanBraun aims to use a mix of high-brow design with an ethos of casual hip for its new lifestyle parenting website, Mom.me. "We think there are ways to speak a lot more eloquently to this audience," said site editor Anne Marie O'Neill, formerly of Real Simple magazine. Survey: More Teens Hide Online Activity from Parents Reuters More and more teenagers are hiding their online activity from their parents, according to a U.S. survey of teen Internet behavior, sponsored by the online security firm McAfee. "There's a lot more to do on the Internet today, which ultimately means there's a lot more to hide." YouTube 'Stars' Seen as Next-Gen Leno, Letterman Los Angeles Times For decades, movie stars have used TV talk shows to drum up awareness of an upcoming film. Now, major film studios are turning to YouTube "stars" to aid in the promotional pitch. For people under age 25, "the Jenna Marbles, FreddieWs are this generation's Leno and Letterman." Amazon Names Projects for Web TV Production Next Web Amazon has selected the first four projects in its plan to produce original comedy and children's series projects for its video streaming service. They will become the first submitted scripts to be selected for Amazon's series development slate, possibly becoming online series. Google CEO: 'Nothing Seriously Wrong With Me' Wall Street Journal Larry Page has "lost his voice," said Google of its CEO and co-founder. But the Internet giant won't say much more. Some corporate governance experts think Google should speak up. In an email to employees, Page wrote that "there is nothing seriously wrong with me." Yahoo Interim CEO Focuses on Ads, Acquisitions Wall Street Journal Interim CEO Ross Levinsohn is said to be aiming to refocus Yahoo on online advertising, tying more ads to major events like the Super Bowl or Oscars and adding content to the company's websites. Also, Levinsohn is mulling acquiring companies that have programming talent. Facebook Expands Online Ad Business to Zynga Reuters Facebook has begun showing advertising on Zynga, the first time the social network has distributed ads beyond the borders of its own site. The move raises the possibility that Facebook could eventually launch an online ad network. Zynga's games have millions of users. Microsoft to Make Behavioral Ad Push for Skype Wall Street Journal Microsoft plans to ramp up advertising on its Skype video-chatting service to include so-called behavioral ads during conversations. But it won't go as far as channeling ads based on what users are talking about. Monitoring what people say in conversations "gets too creepy." Apple E-Books Antitrust Case Set for 2013 Trial Bloomberg Apple and book publishers that haven't settled e-book price-fixing claims will face trial on June 3 next year in a case filed by the U.S. Justice Department, a federal judge in New York has decided. The publishers include Simon & Schuster, Hachette and HarperCollins. YouTube Expected to Make $2.5 Billion in 2012 AllThingsD Is Google making money off of YouTube? You betcha, Google execs told their shareholders. The video site should generate more than $3.6 billion in gross revenue this year, according to Citi analyst Mark Mahaney. Google is likely to record a net revenue of about $2.4 billion. Facebook May Lose $100 Million from Ad Change Daily Mail Facebook is set to lose more than $103 million in revenue after a judge forced it to make changes to its lucrative "Sponsored Stories" advertising feature. To resolve litigation, the social networking giant has agreed to give users more control over how their personal data is used. Twitter Crashes After Unveiling Global Expansion San Francisco Chronicle At an advertising conference in France, Twitter announced plans to expand its promoted tweets program to 50 new countries by the end of the year, aiming to increase its advertising revenue. A few hours later, a software glitch disrupted access to its service for about an hour. Spanfeller Site Growth Bests Gawker, HuffPost New York Post Spanfeller Media Group is scrapping the eKaida name it cooked up for its active sports enthusiast site and changing it to the Active Times. Also, Spanfeller's the Daily Meal claims to have reached 3 million uniques "faster" than Huffington Post, Gawker and Business Insider. Politico: We're Making Money with Subscriptions Adweek Politico, the political news organization, said it has seen a 96% renewal rate for its Politico Pro subscriptions after its first year of service. "A number like this is unheard of in this space." The company plans to expand into defense and finance verticals this September. Reddit Founders Created Fake Profiles for Growth Ars Technica Reddit's online news community was built up in its early days from hundreds of fake profiles created by its founders, according to co-founder Steve Huffman. To make Reddit look populated and diverse, its founders submitted links of their own, each time under a new username. Hulu CEO Sees Personalization as Future of TV CBS News Jason Kilar, CEO of Hulu, said he believes the future of TV lies in a personalized viewer experience: "When you turn on a screen, it is going to be a very unique experience for you. ... Television can be in your pocket with a smartphone. It can be in a little tablet." Yahoo Top Ad Exec Departs in Wake of Changes AllThingsD Rich Riley, a top Yahoo advertising exec, will be leaving the company in a move that comes as little surprise. Riley, who has held several jobs at the Internet giant over 14 years, most recently ran its Americas ad unit, a job he won under recently ousted CEO Scott Thompson. Twitter to Roll Out Ad Products to 50 Countries Guardian Twitter has unveiled an aggressive expansion of its advertising products, with a rollout planned to 50 countries by year end. Asked about the next stage of development, founder Jack Dorsey leaves the door open for going public, or potentially a sale to a tech giant such as Google. Huffington Post Founder Urges 'Disconnecting' The Drum Arianna Huffington, speaking at the Cannes Lions advertising festival, highlighted the importance of people disconnecting from the Internet: "Hyper connectivity is like the snake in the Garden of Eden. ... What is it that's trending on Twitter?" Is the value "to amuse us?" Pinterest Preferred by Women; Men Like Reddit Daily Mail An analysis has revealed how the social media browsing habits of men and women differ. It is probably no surprise that women prefer Pinterest, or that Reddit attracts men. But more surprising is that more than half of YouTube users are male and 62% of Twitter users are female. Facebook Sees Teens Turn to New Social Media USA Today Facebook appears to have competition for teens' attention, as younger users drift to other social-media sites amid mounting evidence that the growth of the world's largest social network is slowing. Niche sites such as Foursquare and Tumblr are attracting more teen users. Microsoft's New Tablets Said to Cost Above $600 DigiTimes Sources from notebook players have estimated that Microsoft's newly announced line of Surface tablet personal computers will be priced "above $599." The sources also pointed out that the Surface tablets "have successfully attracted the attention of consumers." YouTube Founders to Unveil Zeen Magazine Service Next Web YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley has revealed that the mystery around Zeen, a site that helps create online magazines and publications, will soon be lifted as the service will launch next week. So far, Zeen is known only as a place to "discover and create beautiful magazines." GigaOm Tech Blog Network Said to Be for Sale Business Insider GigaOm, the blog network that has become a successful research company, is said to be on the block. One insider said the company is flirting with Bloomberg and Dow Jones. Another said: "Frankly, GigaOM [has] always been on the block and in talks with somebody." Twitter Taps TV Veteran for Outreach to Networks Variety Twitter has hired veteran TV exec Fred Graver to lead efforts striking partnerships in the TV business. Graver, creator of the VH1 series "Best Week Ever," is charged with forging TV ties with the social-media service. Twitter has been an eager partner to TV programmers. Google Eyes AOL Building in New York Expansion Reuters Google, which spent nearly $2 billion in 2010 for one of Manhattan's largest office buildings, is in the market to rent more space as the company grows in New York. One of the buildings Google is said to have looked at is 770 Broadway, which houses AOL's headquarters. Hulu Surpasses Yahoo in Online Video Viewing Home Media Hulu quietly supplanted Yahoo in the number of online videos watched by viewers in May — second only to perennial leader YouTube, according to the latest online video rankings by comScore. Hulu generated more than 887 million videos in May, topping Yahoo with 845 million. Pandora Media Pressured by New Spotify Service MarketWatch Pandora Media has found the market for its Internet-based radio service a little more crowded, as rival Spotify said it would launch a new, free offering for mobile devices. Spotify plans to make its free mobile service initially available via an app for Apple's iPhone and iPad. Google Blocks YouTube Video Conversion Site TorrentFreak Google is said to be threatening legal action against one of the web's largest YouTube conversion sites. The site, which according to Google stats is pulling in 1.3 million visitors every day, extracts MP3 audio from YouTube videos and makes it available for users to download. Facebook to Allow Subscriptions for Print Media Telegraph Facebook has turned on the capability to allow people to subscribe to apps such as newspapers and magazines. Until now people have been only able to purchase virtual items through the social network's apps. Facebook will pocket 30% of all subscription revenues. Microsoft Says Little About Content for New Tablet Reuters Microsoft's new Surface tablet looks promising, but many questions need to be answered before it can be considered a rival to Apple's iPad, analysts said after the tech giant unveiled its new line of devices. Microsoft said little about content at the much-hyped unveiling. Barnes & Noble E-Reader Declines as Tablets Rise New York Post Barnes & Noble's e-reader strategy is losing ground to rivals Amazon and Apple. The No. 1 U.S. book chain said sales of its Nook e-reader fell 10.5% in the three months ended April 28. Analysts have predicted that there would be little love for the plain e-reader in a tablet world. OPA Study Paints Portrait of Today's Tablet User Next Web The Online Publishers Association has released "A Portrait of Today's Tablet User – Wave II," a study offering details of how people make use of tablets. Users' primary content-related activities include watching video, getting weather information and accessing national news. Beck Drops His Name from Online TV Network CNN Glenn Beck has dropped his name from the web based on his personal brand. GBTV will merge with TheBlaze.com, the Beck-owned but independently operated news and opinion website. The entire network will be called TheBlaze. TV "doesn't describe necessarily what we do." YouTube Network Clevver Is Acquired by Alloy Advertising Age Alloy Digital is said to have paid between $5 million to $10 million to acquire YouTube powerhouse Clevver Media. Clevver operates seven YouTube channels, which collectively rank ninth among YouTube partner networks with 6 million unique viewers. Facebook Acquires Face.com for Mobile Strategy CNBC Facebook shares soared Monday on news of its acquisition of facial-recognition technology firm Face.com. The price wasn't disclosed, but it is likely in the $100 million range. The acquisition sheds light on Facebook's plan to ensure it doesn't lose mobile users. Microsoft Unveils 'Surface' Tablet to Rival iPad USA Today Microsoft has unveiled Surface, a tablet computer to compete with Apple's iPad. The mobile-friendly device, built on the software giant's new Window 8 operating system, will include features such as a 10.6-inch wide display. Still, some analysts see the iPad as "a tough act to follow." Yahoo Nabs Google Ad Exec for Revenue Chief AllThingsD Yahoo has hired Google advertising exec Michael Barrett as its new chief of revenue. Barrett will be in charge of ad revenue and operations worldwide at the Internet giant, with units in the U.S., Europe and Asia reporting to him. Barrett will report to interim CEO Ross Levinsohn. Facebook Developing Location-Based Mobile Ads Bloomberg Facebook said it is working on a location-based mobile-advertising product that will allow companies to target users with real-time data showing their whereabouts. "Phones can be location-specific so you can start to imagine what the product evolution might look like." Groupon Has Global Opportunities, Analysts Say Bloomberg Groupon shares rose the most in a month after Morgan Stanley analysts upgraded the stock, citing international sales opportunities. "Groupon has deployed systems in the U.S. that enhance its ability to send relevant deals. We view Groupon extending these systems." Zeebox, Startups to Exploit 'Second-Screen' Craze New York Post Tech startups are rushing to capitalize on the rise of "second screens" — the use of tablets and smartphones to enhance the TV-watching experience. Zeebox, a new U.K.-based app launching in the United States, vows to take the TV ad business "into a new age." YouTube Seeks Fan Questions for Bieber Interview Mashable Jimmy Fallon and Justin Bieber have posted a video on YouTube's blog asking fans to submit questions to the teen idol ahead of his album release on Tuesday. Fallon will choose one question to ask Bieber for an interview that will be live streamed on YouTube. Google Sees 'Alarming' Level of Global Censorship CNET News Google said it has seen an "alarming" incidence in government requests to censor Internet content in the past six months. The web giant claims to have received more than 1,000 requests from governments to remove items such as YouTube videos and search listings. Microsoft, Barnes & Noble Said to Plan 'Xbox Tablet' TechCrunch Microsoft plans to announce an entertainment-driven tablet device built in conjunction with Barnes & Noble at its press conference Monday afternoon in Los Angeles, according to sources. The tablet "may be the first non-Xbox device to gain Xbox Live streaming capabilities." Yahoo Chief Set for Awkward Reunion at Sun Valley New York Post Yahoo's revolving door could make for some colorful encounters at Allen and Co.'s annual media deal-making retreat in Sun Valley, Idaho. Judging by the guest list, Yahoo interim chief Ross Levinsohn could find himself rubbing elbows with predecessors Jerry Yang and Terry Semel. Twitter Flies Into Limelight at Cannes Ad Festival Financial Times Twitter's logo adorns a massive billboard in Cannes to greet the attendees of this week's Cannes Lions advertising festival, an event that the microblogging company hopes will help its ad business take off. Twitter is escalating plans for expansion into Europe and Latin America. Facebook Mulls Leaving Nasdaq as Key Exec Quits Independent Facebook has suffered the first resignation of a top exec since last month's controversial stock market flotation. The exit of CTO Bret Taylor comes amid reports that the company could ditch the Nasdaq and move its shares to the main New York Stock Exchange. AOL Chief Wants to Double Down on Leaky Patch New York Post AOL chief Tim Armstrong is taking his win in the investor revolt by Starboard Value as a mandate to double down on Patch, his long-criticized online news property. "There are only two people in the U.S. investing in local news and information: me and Warren Buffett." Huffington: 'Selling to AOL Was Best Thing We Did' Next Web According to Arianna Huffington, selling the Huffington Post to AOL "was the best thing we ever did." The sale allowed the company to expand rapidly in a way that couldn't have happened otherwise. Huffington claims that her namesake site grown 57% in the last year. Apple iPad to Drive Stronger Tablet Sales Worldwide AFP Demand for tablet computers is growing faster than earlier forecasts, driven by strong demand for the iPad from Apple, according to a new report from research firm IDC. "Demand for media tablets remains robust. ... Apple's iPad shows few signs of slowing down." Microsoft Said to Prep Tablet to Rival Apple iPad The Wrap Microsoft is said to be preparing to unveil a tablet next week that will mark its entry into rival Apple's territory with its own branded product. The company has scheduled a secretive event for Monday afternoon in Los Angeles, where it will make a "major" announcement. YouTube Ponders Fees, Hosting Cable Channels Reuters Cable TV channels with small audiences will in the future migrate to the web, potentially making a home for themselves on YouTube, according to Salar Kamangar, a senior VP at the No. 1 video site. YouTube is considering selling subscriptions to consumers, he added. AOL Chief Gets Boost, Vows Return to Profitability Financial Times AOL has repelled a challenge from a dissident investor Starboard Ventures, as most shareholders backed the Internet company's board. The vote was "significant" for AOL's future, said CEO Tim Armstrong, who vowed to "bring the company back to profitability in 2013." Twitter: London Games to Become 'Socialympics' Associated Press Organizers expect more tweets and Facebook posts to be sent from London Olympics than any other sports event in history. Twitter is bracing for a surge of traffic. Sponsors are also taking their Olympic campaigns online. People "will be consuming the games in a different way." Demand Media Names New Chief Financial Officer Los Angeles Business Demand Media said that CFO Charles Hilliard was leaving and would be replaced by Mel Tang, the online media company's treasurer. Demand contracts with freelance writers to provide content for advertiser-supported websites that include eHow and LiveStrong. Netflix Names Chief Business Development Officer World Screen Netflix has made Bill Holmes, who has been with the company since 2008, its chief business development officer. Holmes has been serving as VP of business development, tasked with heading up global partnerships. "Bill has helped make Netflix the killer app." Apple's Brutal Truth: Many Apps Are Failures Guardian Apple said this week that it has paid out more than $5 billion to app developers. But analyst Canalys has conducted its own research: "Two-thirds of the apps receive fewer than 1,000 downloads in their first year, and a significant proportion of those get none at all." Twitter Expands to Show More Media Content Bloomberg Twitter said users of its microblogging service who post links to other websites will be able to see an expanded view of video content and news stories from new partner sites, such as MSNBC and the Wall Street Journal. "This is going to cause people to stay on twitter.com." Facebook to Debut Real-Time Bidding for Ads Bloomberg Facebook plans to introduce real-time bidding for advertising on its site, a technology used by Google and other web companies to more effectively target ads. As its stock declines, Facebook is working to show advertisers that its site is an effective way to reach customers. Microsoft in Talks to Buy Yammer Social Network Bloomberg Microsoft is said to be in discussions to acquire Yammer, a social network for businesses. The tech giant may pay more than $1 billion to acquire the site. Yammer, started in 2008, is used by more than 200,000 companies, providing features for internal corporate use. Amazon Adds MGM Movies, TV to Video Service Next Web Amazon has announced a licensing agreement with MGM which will see hundreds of classic movies and TV shows added to its video streaming and download service throughout 2012. This new deal will add the likes of "Dances with Wolves," "Rain Man" and "Silence of the Lambs." Netflix Tests Site Redesign with Subcategories Los Angeles Times Netflix will be testing a redesign of its website that separates movies and TV shows into separate tabs, each with dozens of subcategories, such as "70s TV," "Zombie Movies" and "Documentaries." The new look could make it easier to search for specific types of content. Facebook Touts Report Showing Its Ads Work San Jose Mercury News After being pilloried by critics and seeing its freshly public stock plummet, Facebook has stood up to defend its efficacy as a marketing tool. The social networking giant is releasing two studies it feels prove the company's marketing revenue is sound and will grow. Twitter: Should Traditional Media Be Afraid? GigaOM Twitter has been gradually tip-toeing further and further into the media business. With the launch of curated "hashtag pages" like the one it unveiled last week for Nascar, the microblogging service "is showing signs of becoming a full-fledged editorial operation." RebelMouse to Give Media 'Social Front Pages' Journalism.co.uk News outlets including Reuters, NBC and the Huffington Post are among some of the first to set up "social front pages" on RebelMouse, a new publishing platform. The team behind the project includes Paul Berry, former chief technology officer for the Huffington Post. Netflix Adds Two Teen Dramas from ABC Family Deadline Netflix has entered a deal with Warner Bros Domestic Television Distribution to domestically stream all previous season episodes of ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars" and "The Lying Game." The deal will "bring new fans to the original episodes on ABC Family." Apple Still Mum On Rumored 'Top Secret' TV Set Multichannel News Apple used the opening of its developers conference to announce new notebooks and the next generation of its iOS mobile operating system. But the tech giant did not shed any light on the TV set it is supposedly developing, which some suggest could alter the media landscape. Facebook Sees Slowdown in U.S. User Growth Wall Street Journal Facebook went public last month on its prospects for growth. But in some key areas, the social network's growth rates are maturing. Facebook's U.S. user growth rate is slowing sharply. In April, U.S. unique visitors to the website increased just 5% from a year earlier. Google, Author Body End Spat on Internet Books Reuters Google and authors group Society Men of Letters of France have reached an agreement that ends a dispute dating back to 2006 over the publishing of snippets of books online. "The agreement was reached to promote initiatives in favor of digital books' development." AOL Patch: We Set Record for Traffic, Revenue WebProNews Despite a damaging report last month from a group of disgruntled investors that said AOL's Patch was not a "viable business," the service still had a good month in May, reporting it set an all-time high for traffic and revenue. "We are extremely gratified to see these measures." Twitter Airs TV Ads Touting Tie-In with Nascar Wall Street Journal Twitter for the first time in its history has run TV commercials, to promote its tie-in with Nascar. During the telecast of Sunday's race, Twitter ran seven 15-second spots spotlighting activity on and around the racetrack. Twitter declines to comment on why it ran the ads. MySpace to Take On MTV Online in Relaunch Billboard MySpace plans to provide independent music artists with a media-rich page that will connect them with their fans and help them build a career. That would put MySpace in the same land rush as companies such as MTV, which will soon launch its own artist-focused online pages. Facebook Ads Can Help Sales, ComScore Says New York Post Using Facebook for promotion can help sales, according to Internet analysis firm comScore, which found "a statistically significant positive lift on people's purchasing of a brand." However, Facebook is a comScore client, lending some question to the new report. Apple TV Reboot May Be Industry Game Changer Wired As Apple kicks off its annual developers' conference Monday, speculation is swirling around the company's positioning as a television manufacturer. "We might see Apple opening up the app economy approach they've had with the iPhone and iPad to the Apple TV." AOL Faces Tough Vote on Patch Web Strategy Wall Street Journal On Thursday, AOL holds its annual meeting in Boston, where shareholders will vote on nominees for the company's board. Dissident shareholder Starboard Value disagrees with AOL's heavy investment in online content, particularly the local-news website network Patch. Twitter Makes Money on Mobile Ads, CEO Says New York Post Twitter CEO Dick Costolo has offered up a little fact that certainly wasn't lost on a rival like Facebook — that his website makes money on mobile advertising. "It's already been the case a couple weeks ago that mobile ad revenue in a day was greater than non-mobile." Foursquare to Focus on Exploration in Revamp Associated Press Foursquare has given a makeover to its mobile app to focus on exploration, helping users find nearby spots without having to search for them. The app will recommend bars, restaurants or shops based on what places you frequent or what your friends like. Facebook, Microsoft Eye Former Times Building Reuters Facebook and Microsoft are shopping for more office space in Manhattan, underscoring New York's stature as a must-have location for top tech companies. Both firms are said to have browsed the former New York Times Building at 229 West 43rd Street. Vevo 'Certified' Seal to Take On Billboard Chart Reuters Vevo has created a seal of approval to reward music artists whose videos cross 100 million views. The music-video site expects the seal will become a popular measure of success like a Billboard chart position. Vevo will kick off the program with YouTube star Justin Bieber. Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet to Include HBO GO Wired Amazon's Kindle Fire has been accepted into the HBO GO-compatible device club. The app gives HBO subscribers instant access to some 1,400 of the network's episodes. HBO GO viewers get behind-the-scenes videos, episode re-caps and interviews about HBO shows. Aereo Upstart Rivals Emerge Amid Legal Battle Dow Jones As broadcasters aim to shut down the Barry Diller-backed Aereo, several other TV streaming start-ups -- including Skitter and Simple.TV -- are launching similar services that risk undermining the networks' retransmission fees. "Aereo is just the tip of the iceberg." LinkedIn, eHarmony Suffer Password Breaches Reuters Social networking site LinkedIn and online dating service eHarmony said that some user passwords had been breached after security experts discovered scrambled files with passwords for millions of accounts. The two firms decline to say how many accounts have been breached. Twitter Mobile Revenue Bests Web on Many Days Reuters Twitter has generated more advertising revenue from its mobile platform than from its website on many days in the last quarter, said CEO Dick Costolo, highlighting the company's progress in squeezing ad dollars out of the growing number of smartphone and tablet users. Facebook: Nasdaq to Make Amends for Glitches Associated Press Nasdaq plans to hand out $40 million in cash and credit to reimburse investment firms that lost money on Facebook's opening day because of computer glitches. The stock exchange will pay about $14 million in cash at certain levels. The rest will be given as credit. Groupon to Drop Adult Entertainment Merchants Business Insider Groupon, which once offered a walking tour of an adult entertainment studio and a tour of the Playboy mansion, no longer does business with such vendors. "We aren't currently accepting new adult merchants," the company said. Morality in Media had called for a boycott. Pew: Most Senior Citizens Now Use the Internet San Francisco Business More than half of Americans who are 65 or older now use the Internet or email, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. This is the first time data have shown more than 50% of seniors going online. Also, nearly 70% of older Americans now have a mobile phone. Netflix Shareholders to Shake Up Board Structure TheWrap Netflix shareholders have voted overwhelmingly to overhaul the structure of the home entertainment company's board of directors. Netflix's board would be changed from its current "classified" structure. This arrangement strengthens the position of major shareholders. Redbox Firm to Roll Out Starbucks Coffee Kiosks Dow Jones Redbox DVD-rental kiosk firm Coinstar and Starbucks have entered an agreement to open several thousand coffee kiosks across the United States, brewing cups of Seattle's Best brand coffee for just a buck. The kiosks will be placed in grocery stores and other retailers. Napster Founders Unveil Airtime Video Chat Service CNET After months of hype, Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning's latest venture, a video chat service called Airtime, has launched. The new venture matches people with common interests and social connections in video chat sessions. It is the latest undertaking from the Napster co-founders. YouTube to Livestream Olympics Across Asia, Africa Next Web Google has announced that YouTube will be host to live coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games from across 64 territories in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The move means that millions of people in those regions will be able to livestream the games for free. Facebook Seeks to Monetize Its Mobile Audience TechCrunch Facebook has made several changes to its self-serve advertising options. The big one: Advertisers can now buy mobile-only news feed Sponsored Stories. The move could be a key step for the social-networking giant to monetize its massive mobile audience. Twitter Valuation Declines After Facebook Fiasco New York Post Facebook's sagging public offering is bringing down values across Silicon Valley, from the mighty — like Twitter — to the lowly startup. Twitter shares are down at least 15% on secondary markets, with the stock recently trading at $18, down from $21. Myspace Meets 'American Idol' in Singing Contest TheWrap Myspace has partnered with talent contest network YOBI.tv for "Take the Stage," a new singing competition that will run on the social website. Nine artists will compete for $20,000 and a contract with Johnny Wright, the manager for Myspace backer Justin Timberlake. Ancestry.com Seeks to Sell Family-History Website Bloomberg Ancestry.com, the family-history research website, is said to be weighing a sale and working with Frank Quattrone's Qatalyst Partners to find buyers. According to analysts, Internet giants Google and Facebook could see value in adding a family-centric service. Yahoo Board Hires Headhunter for CEO Search AllThingsD Yahoo's board of directors has hired Spencer Stuart in yet another CEO search, although sources close to the company said that interim leader Ross Levinsohn is the prime candidate for the position at this point. "It's Ross's to lose," said one person close to the situation. Facebook Will Disappear in 5 to 8 Years: Analyst CNBC Facebook will lose dominance as a major web company in less than a decade, according to Eric Jackson, founder of Ironfire Capital. "They are going to disappear in the way that Yahoo has disappeared. ... Facebook is going to have challenges moving into mobile." Google Buys Meebo in Social Networking Push Associated Press Google is buying Silicon Valley startup Meebo to help expand its social networking service. The acquisition will bring more tools to Google Plus, an alternative to Facebook's popular online hangout. "We are always looking for better ways to help users connect with others." Microsoft to Bring ESPN, Nickelodeon to Xbox CNET Microsoft has expanded the sports and entertainment offerings available via its Xbox 360. The company plans to add 35 more content providers, including Nickelodeon. The big draw, however, might be the addition of ESPN programming across many of its channels. Electronic Arts Offers Part of Online Game for Free Reuters Electronic Arts plans to offer a big part of its "Star Wars: The Old Republic" online game for free and license the rights to produce videogames with the "Ultimate Fighting Championship" brand, hoping to breathe life into efforts to secure steady long-term revenue. Apple, Amazon Dominate Tablet, E-Reader Market Press Release Two-thirds of U.S. adults now use at least one mobile media device in their daily lives, according to a national survey by the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri. News consumption ranks fourth among reasons people use mobile devices. Amazon Buys Romance Publisher Avalon Books Associated Press Amazon has acquired Avalon Books, giving the Internet retailing giant publication rights to more than 3,000 romance, mystery and western titles. Terms of the sale were undisclosed. Amazon said none of Avalon's books have appeared as digital books yet. Twitter Founder to Publish Book of Life Lessons Reuters Twitter co-founder Biz Stone plans to dish up some life lessons that will need more than 140-character bursts. Stone is working on a book about creativity called "Things a Little Bird Told Me," to be published by Hachette's Grand Central Publishing in April 2014. Salesforce to Buy Buddy Media for $689 Million Dow Jones Salesforce has agreed to acquire marketing platform Buddy Media in a deal valued at $689 million, broadening the business-software provider's fast-growing social-media footprint. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said the deal will help the company keep up with demand. Google to Start Charging Companies for Listings Financial Times Google plans to start charging companies for listing their products in its product search service, the first time the company has converted a free section of its giant online index into a commercial venture. The move raises the prospect that other free listings could be replaced. Twitter Expects $1 Billion in Ad Revenue in 2014 Bloomberg Twitter expects to generate at least $1 billion in sales in 2014, two people with knowledge of the matter said, indicating that the blogging service will grow about twice as fast as some analysts now predict. Twitter based the forecasts on expected advertising demand. Facebook Eyes Former New York Times Building Crain's New York Facebook is said to showing a keen interest in the former New York Times Building at 229 West 43rd Street as the social-networking giant seeks a location to establish an engineering office in New York. Tech firms "tend to be drawn to more quirky, older spaces." AOL Warns Activist Investor Will Liquidate Firm Reuters AOL, waging a proxy fight with activist hedge fund Starboard Value, said that its shareholders should approve all eight nominees for its board. The Internet company said in a filing last month that Starboard would liquidate the company if its nominees won board control. Microsoft Scales Back TV Ad Network Ambitions Adweek Microsoft has quietly begun shuttering its advertising TV network, a division focused on selling ads using set-top box data for smaller cable networks. A handful of staffers have recently received severance packages, while some execs have been redeployed. Apple Likely to Develop iPad to Hang on the Wall Economist Tablets are just the beginning of the evolution of computing form factors, according to Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey. Apple's "likely next steps" for its iPad tablet include "one that is designed to hang on a wall in the dining room or rest on a dock in the kitchen." Netflix Bests Apple as U.S. Online Movie Service CNET Despite a rollercoaster year with a lot of missteps, Netflix still managed to become the largest U.S. online movie service based on revenue in 2011, according to IHS iSuppli. As Netflix saw its star power soar, previous leader Apple and its iTunes entertainment platform declined. Hulu, Roku Team Up For a Father's Day Offering WebProNews In honor of Father's Day, Hulu and Roku have teamed up to provide a deal that just might be good enough to get your dad to cancel his cable subscription. The special bundle comes with a Roku HD player, 6 months of Hulu Plus and an HDMI cable, all for only $80. WebMD Names New Chief Exec, Ending Search Dow Jones WebMD has named Pfizer exec Cavan Redmond as CEO, ending a search that began in January after the abrupt resignation of former chief Wayne Gattinella. Gattinella exited as the health-information provider said it was ending talks with potential buyers. Groupon Biography Probes 'Biggest Deal Ever' Crain's Chicago Time Out Chicago editor Frank Sennett has written what amounts to an authorized biography of Groupon. Sennett's new book, "Groupon's Biggest Deal Ever," which will be published Tuesday, is the first comprehensive examination of the deal-of-the-day website. Facebook User 'Likes' Become Ads for 'Friends' New York Times Facebook users do not always realize that the links and "likes" they post on the social network can be deployed for marketing purposes. Facebook has already agreed in principle to settle out of court a class-action lawsuit over the practice in California. Twitter Usage Doubled Since Late 2010, Pew Says CNET News The fraction of online adults who use Twitter on a typical day has quadrupled over the past 18 months, according to a Pew report on Internet use. Smartphones may have something to do with the increase, Pew suggests, because users "are likely to be using Twitter." Google Dealt Blow in Book Scanning Lawsuit Ars Technica The coalition of authors suing to stop Google Book Search scored a key victory as the judge overseeing the case ruled that three individual authors and the Author's Guild could represent the class of all authors whose works had been scanned by the Internet giant. Amazon Nabs Dilbert, Doonesbury for Kindle Fire Next Web Two anthologies of Doonesbury and Dilbert comic strips will be available in digital format for the first time as an Amazon Kindle Fire exclusive. Amazon also plans to make the most of the Kindle Fire screen, by making the comics available in full color with Kindle Panel View. LivingSocial Signs Partnership with Anschutz's AEG Reuters LivingSocial has entered a partnership with Philip Anschutz's AEG to offer members access to live events run by the entertainment giant. Members of the second-largest daily deal company will be able to buy vouchers for AEG events and get access to unique packages. Cisco: Mobile Devices to Drive Growth of Internet Bloomberg The number of Internet connections will reach 18.9 billion by 2016, up from 10.3 billion in 2011, driven by a proliferation of smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices, according to a survey by Cisco Systems. "More and more mobile devices are causing this growth." Google, Facebook Eye Stake in Music Site Vevo New York Post Both Google CEO Larry Page and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg are exploring an investment in Vevo as part of a broader partnership with the music-video service. An outside investor could help fund an expansion of the digital equivalent of MTV on multiple platforms. Netflix: TV Will Evolve to Become More Like Us Hollywood Reporter "Everyone keeps talking about whether or not Netflix is becoming more like HBO," said Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos. "The truth is HBO is becoming more like Netflix. Much more on-demand centric. That's the evolution of television, to become much more like Netflix." Facebook: Morgan Stanley Defends IPO Conduct MarketWatch Morgan Stanley chief James Gorman has defended the securities firm's role in Facebook's tumultuous IPO, saying in an internal webcast to employees that the company worked "100% within the rules." He added that "speculation of nefarious activity" is untrue. Google, Zagat Unveil Plan for Free Guide Access Crain's New York Nine months after Google acquired restaurant guide publisher Zagat Survey the companies have unveiled what they've been working on: Consumers will be able to access Zagat's reviews and ratings for free — with one caveat: they must be registered Google+ users Apple CEO Regards TV as 'Area of Intense Interest' Wall Street Journal Apple CEO Tim Cook has teed up big expectations, saying in an interview that the world's largest tech company is preparing to release some "incredible" new products. But, pressed about possibilities such as whether Apple would develop a television, he gave no details. Google's YouTube Triumphs in French Court Case New York Times A French court has dismissed a copyright lawsuit against YouTube, in a case that has parallels with the U.S. struggle between the video site and Viacom. YouTube is said to have made adequate efforts to remove programs for which TF1 owned French broadcasting rights. Facebook Shares Slide Amid Barrage of Bad News San Jose Mercury News Facebook shares fell below $30 for the first time Tuesday, as downbeat options trades and concerns about pricey acquisitions helped drive the stock to a closing price down 24% from where it debuted less than two weeks ago. "There is no positive catalyst on the horizon." Social Media Sites: 40 Percent of Accounts Are Spam Bloomberg Businessweek Largely exiled from email, spammers have invaded Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social networks. Spammers create as many as 40% of the accounts on social-media sites, according to anti-spam software maker Impermium. "The bad guys are taking to" social media. Twitter Partners with Pepsi for Live Music Concerts Associated Press PepsiCo said it is partnering with Twitter to provide streaming videos of live music concerts to the soda company's followers on the social networking site. The deal is part of Pepsi's new global ad campaign that will also feature a TV ad with singer Nicki Minaj. Salesforce to Acquire Buddy Media for $800 Million AllThingsD Cloud-computing pioneer Salesforce.com is close to a deal to acquire Buddy Media, the five-year-old company that helps brands manage their Facebook presence. Sources said the two companies have agreed to terms that will value Buddy Media at more than $800 million. Groupon Acquires Hospitality Point-of-Sale Startup Chicago Tribune Groupon said it has acquired Breadcrumb, a New York-based startup that makes point-of-sale software for the hospitality industry. Financial terms were not disclosed. Groupon said Breadcrumb founder Seth Harris and his team will join the company as part of the deal. TMZ Founder Paratore Dies of Apparent Heart Attack TMZ Jim Paratore, founder of TMZ and creator of a slew of hit TV shows including "Ellen" and "Rosie," died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday during a bike trip in France. Paratore "was a driving force behind TMZ.com and was critical in creating the TMZ TV show." WikiLeaks' Assange Faces Extradition to Sweden Associated Press Britain's Supreme Court has endorsed the extradition of WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange to Sweden, an important turning point in the Internet activist's controversial career. Assange has spent the better part of two years fighting attempts to send him to the Scandinavian nation. Business Insider Bashed for 'Troll-Baiting' Article New York Observer Business Insider chief Henry Blodget has authored an apparent troll-baiting piece on his business-news website asking why people "do not like Jews." Blodget's "only possible motivation for writing a headline like that is to attract attention and pageviews." Netflix, Comcast Execs Named to FCC Committee FierceCable The Federal Communications Commission has appointed execs from Comcast and Netflix to its new Open Internet Advisory Committee. With Comcast and Netflix taking opposing sides on net neutrality, the advisory committee hearings will likely feature lively debate. Google Tackles Piracy by Removing Millions of URLs CNET News Google has been removing URLs from its search function, according to a new edition of the company's transparency report. Of the millions of requests, Microsoft is the No. 1 complainer of copyright infringement, asking that a total of 2,544,209 URLs be removed. Apple TV Slated to Debut in December, Analyst Says CNET News Apple could unveil its highly anticipated take on the television in December and ship it next year, according to a research note from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. The Apple TV product line is expected to cost between $1,500 and $2,000, Muster said. Facebook Hopes to Release Its Own Smartphone New York Times Facebook employees and several engineers who have been sought out by recruiters, as well as people briefed on company's plans, said the social network hopes to release its own smartphone by next year. Facebook has already hired several Apple engineers. Vevo on IPO Fast Track After Tie-In with Facebook New York Post Vevo is mulling an IPO following the success of its new platform, highlighted by a social-sharing feature that takes advantage of a tie-in with Facebook. The music video website is rumored to have reeled in investment bank Allen & Co. to seek potential backers. Foursquare, Tumblr Reveal Plans for Monetization New York Post Tumblr, the blogging platform led by David Karp, has begun to experiment with advertising. Foursquare, the check-in pioneer, is looking to make money through its merchants. "Tumblr and Foursquare in particular are now about monetization." Twitter Experiments with Tracking Users Worldwide SpyGhana Twitter has sent an email to users about changes to its privacy policy: "Our new tailored suggestions feature, which is based on your recent visits to websites that integrate Twitter button or widgets, is an experiment that we're beginning to roll out in a number of countries." Groupon Tests Payments Rival to PayPal, Square Reuters Groupon is said to be testing a payments service that lets merchants accept credit cards at what could be a knock-down price. The move puts the world's largest daily-deals company in direct competition with eBay's PayPal and start-up Square, partly owned by Visa. Amazon, Publisher Settle Digital Books Dispute Wall Street Journal A three-month long dispute over the sale of digital books between Amazon and the Independent Publishers Group, which represents more than 500 publishers, has been resolved. "We've resolved our differences, but I can't discuss terms," said IPG head Mark Suchomel. Yahoo Shutters Tablet Magazine After Six Months Advertising Age Has Ross Levinsohn put his first stamp on Yahoo as CEO? Yahoo plans to shut down Livestand, its mobile newsstand app, only a little more than six months after it launched. "When we discontinue products, it will be so that we can focus on opportunities where we lead." Apple's 'iTV' Effort Might Not Be a TV, Analyst Says BGR Apple's forthcoming "iTV" might not be a TV at all, according to new speculation. Rather than launch a TV, Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey suggests Apple may instead be developing an "iHub" that will serve as the focal point of the Apple-powered household. Facebook: Morgan Stanley Eyes Investor Refund Associated Press Morgan Stanley, the lead investment bank in Facebook's troubled IPO, is said to be planning to compensate retail investors who overpaid when they bought the social network's stock. The bank is "reviewing orders and will make adjustments if clients paid too much." Twitter: Does New Goldman Account Hint an IPO? Wall Street Journal Goldman Sachs, in an ever growing era of openness, has joined Twitter. The new @GoldmanSachs account may be an early attempt for Goldman to get out in front of a possible Twitter IPO, given Morgan Stanley seems to have stepped all over itself with Facebook's launch. AOL Investor Protests $500 Million a Year Ad Loss Forbes Starboard Value, the activist investor in AOL, has laid out its management disagreements in a 96-page presentation. Among the highlights: AOL is losing $500 million a year in its display advertising businesses; the Huffington Post "has fallen back into the red." Diller's IAC Beats Google with Top Internet Stock Bloomberg IAC/InterActiveCorp, owner of Match.com and Ask.com, is said to have delivered the best returns of any Internet media company worldwide. Barry Diller's collection of more than 50 online businesses outperformed its 12 publicly traded peers in the past two years. Facebook: Investor Fury Sparks Lawsuits, Inquiries San Francisco Chronicle The excitement over Facebook's IPO has given way to investor fury. The immediate decline in its share price, along with allegations that Facebook and its underwriters failed to disclose relevant data to investors, has prompted government inquiries and multiple lawsuits. Yahoo Seeks to Shake Up Search, Web Browsing Associated Press Joining the battle to redefine Internet search, Yahoo is taking aim with a new browser enhancement called Axis. It alters browsers made by other companies to display search results in a visual format — a departure from search engines' traditional presentation of web links. Microsoft, WPP Enter Partnership for Digital Ads New York Times WPP, one of the world's largest advertising concerns, has entered into a partnership with Microsoft that will allow both companies to place and sell digital ads for their client brands. "We're just making a more direct connection between the advertiser and the publisher." Netflix Boosts 'Mad Men' as Cable TV's 'Frenemy' CNET News Is Netflix a friend or foe to cable TV companies? Cox Communications CEO Patrick Esser described the online streaming service as a "frenemy." Netflix exec Ted Sarandos claimed that his company helped AMC's "Mad Men" to add millions of new viewers. Amazon Prime Wins Access to Paramount Films CNET News Thanks to a new agreement with Paramount Pictures, subscribers of Amazon's Prime service will get access to hundreds of major motion pictures. Amazon is continuing to close the gap with Netflix in regards to the amount and quality of films offered. Dish, Roku Enter International Programming Deal CNET News Roku users can now stream satellite TV international shows without a dish, thanks to a partnership between the streaming platform and Dish Network's overseas programming. The companies announced a deal to launch the DISHWorld service on Roku's U.S. platform. Facebook: Less Ad Revenue from Mobile Devices Reuters As Facebook execs traveled the country to talk up the company's IPO, the social networking giant is said to have advised analysts to cut revenue and earnings forecasts due to feedback revealing users were opting for mobile devices which generate less advertising revenue. Yahoo Becomes Media Company Under New CEO Reuters Ross Levinsohn is said to be committed to building out video programming and striking more syndication deals in pursuit of advertising dollars. Yahoo's interim CEO "is a media guy," said an insider. "His elevation makes clear we are a media company now." AOL's Costly Local News Gamble Draws Trouble Wall Street Journal AOL's Patch.com network of small-town news sites has emerged at the center of a tug of war over the company's future. The cost of running Patch has fueled a campaign by dissident investor Starboard against CEO Tim Armstrong's strategy of investing in online content. FCC May Treat Video Sites Like Cable Companies New York Times The Federal Communications Commission is considering giving online distributors like Hulu and YouTube the same rights and responsibilities of cable companies. If it decides that they should, then more companies could stream TV shows to computers and smartphones. Vevo Seeks New Investors Ahead of Possible IPO Sky News Vevo, the music video site part-owned by two of the world's biggest record labels, is said to have begun a hunt for new investors ahead of a prospective IPO. The three shareholders in Vevo have appointed investment bank Allen & Co. to identify new sources of capital. Netflix to Bolster Original Content with New Hire World Screen Cindy Holland is taking on the new role of VP of original content at Netflix, while Jason Ropell, the VP of content acquisition, will take charge of TV licensing for the U.S. market. Holland's new post will see her take on responsibility for acquiring and launching original series. HuffPost Names First Publisher Amid AOL Moves Advertising Age Janet Balis has been named the Huffington Post Media Group's first publisher. Balis had been senior VP for sales strategy, marketing and partnerships for AOL Advertising. In her new role, she will focus on new strategies for the Huffington Post's work with marketers. BuzzFeed Plans DC Bureau for Original Reporting Fishbowl DC BuzzFeed is making plans to open a Washington, D.C., bureau this summer. "I'm aiming to hire a talented, heavyweight player-coach as bureau chief," said editor Ben Smith. "It's going to be all about original reporting. Hoping to do the hiring over the summer." Apple's Cook Tops the List of Highest-Paid CEOs Wall Street Journal Apple's Tim Cook is the highest-paid CEO, with an annual pay package of $378 million, according to an annual survey by the Wall Street Journal. Larry Ellison of Oracle ranks at No. 2, with $76 million. CBS chief Les Moonves comes in at third place, at $69.3 million. Facebook Shares Drop Amid Revenue Concerns Dow Jones Facebook shares fell 11% Monday, dropping well below their IPO price of $38 on just their second day of trading, a black eye for all those involved with the company going public. Reasons cited for the decline include concerns about Facebook's revenue growth. AOL Chief Sees Rivalry with Yahoo, Not a Merger Wall Street Journal Tim Armstrong, CEO of AOL, said he expects his company to continue to partner with Yahoo, but a transaction between the two Internet giants is "probably not in the cards." Armstrong added: "We are both going to compete for the future of consumer usage and advertising." Microsoft Quietly Launches So.cl Social Network CNET News In the wake of Facebook's IPO, Microsoft has quietly launched So.cl, its own social networking foray. However, So.cl isn't designed to be a Facebook challenger. The project aims to give students the ability to network with their peers to share information. Google Invests in Machinima YouTube Channel AllThingsD Google has invested in Machinima, one of the most popular channels on its YouTube video site. Google confirms that it led a $35 million round, along with previous investors Redpoint Ventures and MK Capital. The deal is said to value Machinima at around $190 million. Huffington Post Video Service Gets a New Name Capital New York Huffington Post staffers have received a progress report on the site's plans for live streaming video. Originally billed in February as the Huffington Post Streaming Network, the service is now being called HuffPost Live and is gearing up for an early July launch. Huffington Post Origin Lawsuit Alleges Cover Up Forbes Two consultants who claim they supplied Arianna Huffington and Ken Lerer with the idea for the Huffington Post have filed an amended version of their lawsuit, saying documents show how the defendants appropriated the concept and attempted to cover their tracks. Webby Awards Recognize Pinterest, Epicurious USA Today The Webby Awards, honoring the best and brightest on the Internet, this year saluted a wide-ranging group of candidates, including Pinterest, Epicurious, HBO Connect, and Funny Or Die. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg took home the lifetime achievement award. Facebook's IPO May Fuel Strategic Acquisitions Bloomberg Facebook's IPO will give CEO Mark Zuckerberg access to more than $15 billion that may step up the pace and size of acquisitions, according to analysts. The company could use acquisitions to bulk up in areas such as mobile, advertising, payments and video-sharing. Google: Turn Off Your Screens for One Hour a Day Reuters Eric Schmidt told graduates at Boston University to take the radical step of tearing their eyes away from their smartphones and computer screens. "Take one hour a day and turn that thing off," said Google's executive chairman. "Have a conversation, a real conversation." Yahoo's Leaders See Opportunity in Online Media San Jose Mercury News Both Third Point head Daniel Loeb and interim CEO Ross Levinsohn believe that Yahoo needs to create more premium content — videos, blogs and news — to attract advertising dollars and make the company a viable competitor with Google and Facebook. Hulu to Roll Out New Programming for Summer Wall Street Journal Hulu plans to launch new summer programming that will premiere three original series and seven exclusively licensed TV shows previously unavailable to U.S. audiences. The online video service will release one episode per week, much like the traditional TV model. Amazon Tops Hulu in U.S. Online Video Viewers GeekWire New rankings for the U.S. online video market come with a surprise: Amazon surpassed Hulu in April with more than 30 million unique viewers. The growth follows Amazon's launch last fall of the Kindle Fire tablet, a new platform for the company's video service. Twitter Teams with Nascar to Aggregate Tweets Adweek Twitter is converting the hashtag into a content destination in its own right through a unique partnership with Nascar. Consumers who click on the #Nascar hashtag will be directed to a new Twitter page that will aggregate tweets and photos related to the race. Adly Taps Former News Corp Digital Exec as CEO Wall Street Journal Adly, an online marketing start-up that connects brands with celebrities, has snagged Walter Delph to become its new CEO. Delph was most recently SVP for News Corp's digital media division, responsible for overseeing the company's direction in the wireless industry. Atavist Digital Publisher Lures Big-Name Backers New York Times The Atavist, which helps produce multimedia storytelling for digital devices, has attracted some $1 million in seed money from the likes of Google's Eric Schmidt and Netscape's Marc Andreessen. The Atavist publishes long-form journalism and licenses its software. Facebook to Make Record-Breaking Market Debut San Jose Mercury News Facebook set the share price for its first public stock offering at $38 as the social networking giant prepared for its market debut Friday. The price sets a total value for Facebook at $104 billion, giving it a greater worth than any other U.S. company at its stock market debut. Google Founders Less Wealthy Than Zuckerberg Bloomberg Facebook's initial public offering has made 28-year-old Mark Zuckerberg the 29th richest person on Earth. The 503.6 million shares and options Zuckerberg owns are valued at $19.1 billion, making him wealthier than Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. MySpace Seeks PR Counsel Ahead of Relaunch PRWeek MySpace, the once-leading social media site, has held talks with public-relations agencies as it prepares for a brand relaunch later this year. The move follows the purchase of the website by Specific Media, bought alongside pop star Justin Timberlake, last June. BuzzFeed Founder: Facebook Is 'Worth the Hype' New York Post The shift from search to social media makes Facebook a "big winner," according to BuzzFeed's Jonah Peretti. "Portals have devolved into pageview-generating slideshows adorned with banner ads that don't work and fluff stories that are interesting to everyone and no one." Yahoo Interim CEO Shuffles Web Portal's Execs Bloomberg Yahoo interim CEO Ross Levinsohn has reorganized the web portal's management team: Mickie Rosen was named head of global media and commerce, Mollie Spilman was named chief marketing officer, and commerce chief Sam Shrauger will leave the company. Amazon Sells Ads on Kindle Fire Welcome Screen Advertising Age Amazon is said to be pitching ads on the welcome screen of the Kindle Fire device, its best-selling product. Amazon has been telling ad agency execs that they must spend about $600,000 for any package that includes such an ad. The ad campaigns would run for two months. Hulu Viewing Contributes to TV Series Renewal Variety The CW said that the viewing of its series that takes place on the TV network and on the video website Hulu is largely non-duplicated. In fact, the freshman series "Hart of Dixie" did so well on Hulu that it factored into the renewal of the series, which had only lukewarm TV ratings. AOL, HuffPost Chiefs in 'Feud,' Stirring Rumors Paula Froelich AOL chief Tim Armstrong and Huffington Post boss Arianna Huffington are said to be not "getting along," creating a "tense and weird" office atmosphere. "There's been a problem selling ads" for HuffPost. Insiders said Huffington could "leave and start up Arianna.com." YouTube Luring TV Veterans to Food Channel Associated Press Food Network and Cooking Channel veteran Bruce Seidel has checked out of network TV to oversee the launch of YouTube's latest original content channel, called Hungry. The channel, which goes live on July 2, will feature a mix of how-to and celebrity-driven food videos. Nielsen, Google Team to Study Young TV Viewers WebProNews Google and Nielsen have partnered to research TV-viewing habits. About 31% of people age 18 to 49 spend only 39 minutes per day watching TV, they found. A combination of both TV and online advertising efforts are the best way to reach these consumers, they claim. Facebook: Jury Still Out as Ad Medium, Execs Say Reuters General Motors' decision to stop advertising on Facebook may be a wake-up call for the No. 1 social network, but leading advertising execs say it is far too early to know if the site will take off as an ad platform. "There's a lot of potential but it's not a slam-dunk." Pinterest Pins Down $100 Million in New Funding AllThingsD Rakuten, the largest e-commerce site in Japan, has announced it will lead a $100 million investment in Pinterest, Silicon Valley's latest hot start-up. The investment comes as commerce has started to emerge naturally on the social bookmarking phenomenon. Yahoo to Launch Movieland for Summer Films Los Angeles Times Yahoo aims to stake a claim on the summer movie season with the launch of Movieland, an online game promoting some 35 big-budget films. Users will be able to watch trailers, answer trivia questions, earn and share online badges, purchase tickets and win prizes. Twitter Breaks Into TV Dollars with ESPN Deal Lost Remote At ESPN's upfront presentation, the sports network announced a relationship with Twitter to co-produce social experiences around sports events. Advertisers will be able to buy into both ESPN properties and the Twitter components in a single integrated buy. Facebook Ads Don't Work, General Motors Says Wall Street Journal General Motors plans to stop advertising with Facebook after deciding that paid ads on the site have little impact on consumers' car purchases. GM's move puts a spotlight on an issue that many marketers have been raising: whether ads on Facebook help sell products. Twitter Creator Named Media Person of the Year Silicon Republic Jack Dorsey, creator and executive chairman of Twitter, will be honored as 2012 Media Person of the Year at the Cannes Lions festival. The award recognizes the impact Twitter has had on media and society. Past recipients include Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. Apple, Publishers Face Consumer E-Book Suit Reuters Apple and five major book publishers have failed to persuade a U.S. judge to throw out a lawsuit by consumers accusing them of conspiring to raise electronic book prices. The lawsuit is related to government charges in April accusing Apple and publishers of collusion. YouTube's Video Views Are Falling by Design Advertising Age Since December, views on YouTube have dropped 28%, an intended consequence of the Google-owned site's shift from a video search engine filled with snack-size content to a full-fledged entertainment destination. "Our goal is we want users to watch more and click less." Yahoo Chief Wants Interim CEO to Be Permanent Wall Street Journal During an all-hands meeting, new Yahoo chairman Fred Amoroso said he wanted Ross Levinsohn to become the permanent CEO, according to a person familiar with the matter. Amoroso said the company hadn't established a CEO search committee yet but may do so. Facebook Dismissed as Fad by Half of Americans Associated Press Half of Americans think Facebook is a passing fad, according to a new poll by the Associated Press and CNBC. In the run-up to the social network's initial public offering, half of Americans also say the social network's expected asking price is too high. Groupon Revenue Increases Nearly 90 Percent Chicago Tribune Improvements in technology and deal variety helped Groupon post a nearly 90% increase in revenue during the first quarter, giving the company a much-needed boost after weeks of stock declines. The daily deals site reported first-quarter revenue of $559.3 million. Tweeter's Digest: Twitter Starts Weekly Email AllThingsD Twitter has launched a weekly email digest of tweets to its users, essentially a summary of the most relevant messages on the microblogging service in the past week. Users will be able to see related tweets in context, and be able to tweet directly from the mail. Amazon to Launch Front-Lit Kindle in Summer Reuters Amazon will launch new versions of its Kindle e-reader and tablet, including a monochrome e-reader with front lighting, according to a source who has seen the prototype. The world's largest Internet retailer aims to have the new e-reader in stores in July. Internet Week Goes Up Against TV's Upfronts New York Post Both the annual Internet Week festival and the broadcast network "upfront" shows for advertisers begin Monday in New York. IAC boss Barry Diller, who aims to torpedo the TV business model with his new venture, Aereo, is organizing Internet Week's closing party. IAC's Barry Diller Aims to Blow Up the Box New York After a career in which he firebombed the traditional TV model from multiple angles, Barry Diller talks about his latest effort to torch the tube with Aereo: "We not only found there was nothing wrong with it, but that it had the possibility of being disruptive." YouTube Channels to Rival TV, Kutcher Says New York Post Ashton Kutcher said he thinks YouTube's 100 new original channels "are going to be synonymous" with ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS and Bravo. "If you're not trying to replace something that you're working on with something that is the future ... eventually you'll get replaced." Netflix Reputation Ticks Up Among Consumers CNNMoney Netflix's reputation has improved after it was damaged last year when the company mishandled a price increase and attempt to spin off its DVD business, according to a new survey by analytics outfit Forsee. Netflix is "still obviously paying the price of its PR fiasco." Google in Talks to Buy Meebo for $100 Million AllThingsD Google is in talks to acquire Meebo for about $100 million, according to sources. The Mountain View, Calif.-based Meebo has been dedicated to all sorts of social products and customers. Its latest product promises to help users cut through information overload. Facebook CEO: Mobile, Ads Are Top Priorities Reuters Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whose limited role in promoting the No. 1 social network's market debut has drawn criticism, has laid out its growth strategy to investors, saying that transforming its mobile and advertising experience are top priorities in 2012. Craigslist Targeted in Facebook Test Feature Mashable Facebook has been testing a feature called "Highlighted Posts" that potentially puts the company into the online classified ads arena dominated by Craigslist by letting users amplify status updates. The fee for using the feature runs from zero to "a couple of bucks." Twitter Developing 'Smart' Original Content Fast Company Twitter has posted a job listing for a Sports Editorial Associate Producer, who will "monitor and curate a live stream of Twitter sports content," and "write pithy, smart content in under 140 characters." The listing appears to be explicitly aimed at creating an editorial product. Yahoo's Thompson Told Board He Has Cancer Wall Street Journal Before resigning as CEO of Yahoo over the weekend, Scott Thompson is said to have disclosed to the company's board of directors that he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The decision to step down from Yahoo was in part influenced by the cancer diagnosis. Facebook Co-Founder Gives Up U.S. Citizenship Bloomberg Eduardo Saverin, the billionaire co-founder of Facebook, has renounced his U.S. citizenship before an IPO that values the social network at as much as $96 billion, a move that may reduce his tax bill. Saverin "found it more practical to become a resident of Singapore." Google's YouTube Mulls Subscription Service New York Post YouTube is said to be weighing the introduction of a premium, subscription-based video service. The video giant is in talks with program providers about adding more top-shelf content to its channels but putting it behind a pay wall as some newspapers have done. Apple: Brand of Choice for Hollywood Execs Bloomberg Businessweek Apple has spent decades positioning itself as the brand of choice in Hollywood. Unlike many companies, the iPhone maker said it never pays for its products to appear on TV or in movies. The company's gadgets were discussed or shown 891 times on TV last year. Amazon to Launch Blogs in Tech, Entertainment The Daily Amazon is said to be poised to launch a trio of blogs. One will be designed to compete in the tech news space with websites like Gizmodo and The Verge, while the others will cover film, comics, TV and other "geek-related activities," like digital photography apps. Google: We're Like the New York Times, CNN Wired News Google has a First Amendment right to sort or even censor search rankings as they like, according to an analysis from the Internet giant. Search engines "are no different from traditional news media outlets such as the New York Times, CNN or the Drudge Report." Yahoo CEO Says He Never Provided a Resume Reuters Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson never provided a resume to Yahoo, he is said to have told top execs at a meeting, aiming to address a controversy over his educational background. Thompson's resume has led to questions about his future at the struggling Internet company. Facebook Instagram Deal Faces Delay Threat Financial Times The Federal Trade Commission has launched a probe of Facebook's proposed acquisition of Instagram, threatening to postpone the closure of the deal beyond the second quarter target date. The delay could hurt Facebook's efforts to strengthen its mobile strategy. Twitter Acquires Personalized E-Mail Marketer TechCrunch Twitter has entered a deal to hire the team and buy the technology of RestEngine, a personalized e-mail marketing service, which could help the microblogging company deliver e-mail digests of great tweets users have missed. Twitter views the deal as an "acqui-hire." Amazon Brings 'Harry Potter' to Kindle Library Tech Web Amazon has announced that all seven Harry Potter books will be coming to the Kindle Owners' Lending Library. The online retailer purchased an exclusive license from J.K. Rowling's Pottermore to make the addition possible. Kindle's library has grown to 145,000 books. Yahoo CFO, Media Boss Eyed as Interim CEO Reuters Third Point, Yahoo's largest outside shareholder, said the Internet company should make CFO Tim Morse or media chief Ross Levinsohn the interim chief executive because of the controversy surrounding CEO Scott Thompson's educational background. Facebook: Mobile May Hurt Future Revenue MSNBC Facebook said that usage of its social networking service is growing faster than its ad deliveries, reflecting a shift toward mobile devices and away from computers. Facebook has not been able to monetize mobile use as effectively as desktop use of the website. Yahoo Drama 'Cybergeddon' Lures A-Listers Hollywood Reporter Olivier Martinez and Missy Peregrym will star in "CSI" creator Anthony Zuiker's long-form thriller "Cybergeddon" for Yahoo. The drama about the growing threat of cyber crime will launch as a series of installments on the Internet portal before reaching other digital platforms. Netflix Brings Fox Programs to Latin America Bloomberg Netflix, bolstering its expansion into Latin America, has forged a licensing agreement to bring News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox TV shows and movies to customers in Brazil and other parts of the region. Netflix pushed into Latin America in September. Facebook Seeks New Revenues with App Store BBC News Facebook has launched its own app store to promote mobile programs that operate using the social network. The App Center will become the "new, central place to find great apps." Developers will be able to charge a fee for apps sold in the store in the near future. Apple Rumor: Seven-Inch iPad Mini Is Coming Wired News Apple's next iPhone will reportedly launch in September, and a 7-inch iPad mini will land in August, according to a report in Digitimes, the Taiwan-based news organization. The iPad Mini has been the subject of rumors since before the original 9.7-inch iPad debuted. Amazon Taps Publishers Weekly Veteran Editor Publishers Weekly Sara Nelson, book editor for O, The Oprah Magazine, is moving to Amazon where she will be editorial director of Amazon.com Books. Nelson was editor-in-chief of Publishers Weekly before joining O. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity," said Nelson. AOL Refutes TechCrunch, Engadget Sale Story Advertising Age AOL websites TechCrunch and Engadget aren't for sale, according to CEO Tim Armstrong, refuting a blog report that said he was seeking buyers. Armstrong admitted that AOL has spoken with outside entities about partnerships that would lead to increased investments. Yahoo Director to Exit After Botched CEO Vetting AllThingsD Patti Hart, the Yahoo director in charge of the search that resulted in the hiring of Scott Thompson as its CEO — making her directly responsible for a botched vetting of his academic record — will not stand for re-election to the board at the next annual meeting. AOL Joins Facebook, Yahoo in Display Ad Dip Reuters AOL has reported better-than-expected quarterly revenue and profit, although lower premium U.S. ad sales dragged total revenue down. Said one analyst: "It could be an industry thing or that Google is gaining so much [ad revenue] share that other parties are losing." Foursquare Aims to Rival Groupon in Coupons Wall Street Journal Foursquare, which lets users alert their friends to their location by "checking in" via smartphone, plans to let merchants buy special placement for promotions of personalized local offers in July. Users must "check in" to redeem the offers. Myspace Slapped by FTC for Privacy Breaches Wired The Federal Trade Commission has slapped Myspace's wrist, finding that the company violated the privacy promises it made to its users. The music-centric site, which has more than 25 million users, was targeted for sharing personal information with advertisers. Twitter Challenges Subpoena Seeking User Data AFP Twitter has challenged a court order to turn over to law enforcement data on one of its users involved in Occupy Wall Street in a case described by a civil liberties group as a test of online freedom of speech. The motion said the order would require Twitter to violate federal law. Facebook, Twitter Are Brain Candy, Study Says Los Angeles Times Researchers at Harvard have gotten to the bottom of why so many of us are compelled to share our every thought through mediums like Twitter and Facebook. Researchers found that the act of disclosing personal information activates a sensation of pleasure in the brain. AOL Seeks Buyers for Engadget, TechCrunch PandoDaily AOL is said to be exploring the sale of its cornerstone technology sites Engadget and TechCrunch for about $70 million. The news sheds light on why Arianna Huffington was so relaxed about relinquishing responsibility for the division last month, according to reports. Demand Media Moving Past Google Changes Reuters Demand Media reported better-than-expected first-quarter revenue and raised its 2012 outlook, suggesting it is finally moving past changes that Google made to its search engine that hobbled the company last year. Demand's sites include eHow and LiveStrong. Hulu Makes Changes to Social Sharing Features Forbes Hulu made changes to its social sharing features last month. For Facebook users, the video provider made it easy to turn sharing on and off. But non-Facebookers were told they have to connect their accounts to Facebook if they want their social features back. Microsoft Offers Xbox 360 System for Lower Price Dow Jones Amid flagging sales for the Xbox 360, Microsoft has begun testing a new payment model that gives customers an option to pay less for the game console upfront if they agree to a two-year contract. Xbox Live Gold includes streaming from Netflix and Hulu. Apple's Jobs to Be Honored at Webby Awards New York Post George Lucas and Bill Clinton have joined a cadre of bigwigs in art, entertainment and politics to honor Steve Jobs at the Webby Awards on May 21. The ceremony, at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, will also salute Bjork and Louis C.K. Comic Patton Oswalt will host. Facebook Kicks Off IPO Road Show in New York Reuters Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, wearing his trademark "hoodie" sweatshirt, took questions about the No. 1 social network's slowing revenue growth and its $1 billion Instagram purchase, kicking off a cross-country road show to promote its $10 billion IPO. Twitter Predicted to Surpass Facebook in Value Telegraph Twitter is likely to last longer and become more valuable than Facebook, according to Rory Sutherland, vice chairman of Ogilvy & Mather. Facebook could struggle to maintain its position as the leading social network, he said. "I can see Facebook being superseded." Google Infringed Oracle Copyrights, Jury Says Wall Street Journal A federal jury has found that Google infringed Oracle copyrights, but its decision appeared unlikely to require the Internet giant pay a significant amount for damages. The jury was unable to decide whether Google's use was protected by a fair-use doctrine. Yahoo CEO Hiring Data Demanded by Investor Reuters Hedge fund Third Point, which has called for the ouster of Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson for padding his resume, has demanded that the Internet company provide access to all documents relating to Thompson's hiring. "Shareholders deserve total transparency." Amazon Moves Into High-End Fashion Business New York Times Having wounded the publishing industry, slashed pricing in electronics and made the toy industry quiver, Amazon is now taking on the high-end clothing business. The online retailer is making a "significant" investment in fashion in an effort to work with top brands. Facebook News Reader Apps Decline Amid Tests TechCrunch Facebook news reader apps aren't declining because users suddenly got fed up with auto-sharing. The user loss is seen to be due to the transition to "trending articles," a new way of surfacing recently read stories in the news feed that the social network is testing. Google to Invest in Machinima YouTube Channel AllThingsD Google is set to invest in YouTube gamer channel Machinima, one of the most popular networks on the video site, via a funding round that should close within a month. The move would mark the first time that Google has backed a content company with an equity stake. Yahoo Urged to Fire CEO for Padding Résumé Dow Jones Hedge fund Third Point has continued its attack on Yahoo, calling for the termination of CEO Scott Thompson amid admitted inaccuracies in his academic credentials. "We urge the board to drop its resistance to placing Third Point nominees on the board." Google TV to Launch in May with LG Electronics Reuters LG Electronics plans to launch Internet-enabled TV based on Google's platform in the United States in the week of May 21. Google's attempt to capture the living room audience has seen limited success so far due in part to support from hardware manufacturers. Facebook Buys Glancee App to Beef Up Mobile VentureBeat Facebook has acquired Italian startup Glancee, an iPhone and Android app that "helps you discover and connect with new interesting people around you." Unfortunately for the app's users, this appears to be a talent grab. It looks like Facebook is shutting Glancee down. Groupon Loses Half of Value Since Going Public Bloomberg Groupon has lost half its value since a November initial public offering amid concern over its ability to translate growth into profit while rectifying accounting missteps. The biggest online coupon company has slumped 50% since its stock-market debut. IAC Sees Upside in In-House Tech Incubators Crain's New York Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp has rolled out two incubator "labs" that between them plan to launch 10 companies a year. Some could operate as independent businesses, but most will become new company entities. The upside for IAC's Hatch Labs "is significant." YouTube: Must-See Channels for Advertisers? Bloomberg Businessweek Google's YouTube has signed on Hollywood talent to produce original programming for its new channels. The big question is whether advertisers will come to the party and how much they will spend. Google releases little data about YouTube's financial health. Apple, Google Wooed by British Soccer League Financial Times The Premier League for British soccer said it would increase the number of live matches broadcast each season by 12% and that it aimed to get companies such as Google and Apple involved in rights auctions. "Near-live" games are expected to appeal to new media groups. Yahoo CEO Caught in Fib About His Résumé CNNMoney The proxy fight between Yahoo and Third Point turned extra nasty as the activist shareholder firm accused Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson of lying about his college degree. Thompson holds a degree in accounting, not computer science, as he has claimed. Google Continues Dispute Over Digital Books Reuters Google, in an ongoing legal dispute over its plans to create a digital library, has argued in court that authors associations should not be allowed to sue the company as a group. A federal judge notes that resolving cases brought by individuals "would take forever." Facebook Eyes Near $100 Billion Value in IPO Wall Street Journal Facebook has targeted a valuation as rich as $96 billion in what would be a record debut for an American company. Eight-year-old Facebook would become the most valuable U.S. tech company at the time of an IPO, exceeding Google's $23 billion valuation in 2004. EBay, Microsoft Join New York City Tech Boom Crain's New York EBay plans to open a new center in New York to develop "cool technology and data programs" essential to moving online merchandise. The company plans to hire 200 people in a couple of years. Meanwhile, Microsoft said it will open a research lab in New York. AOL: Huffington's Role Shrinks After Tensions Wall Street Journal Arianna Huffington's portfolio at AOL has been scaled back to include only the Huffington Post, undoing an editorial oversight structure put in place when her website was acquired last year. The structure created tensions with staffers at Patch and TechCrunch. Amazon Loses Tablet Share as Apple Increases Bloomberg Amazon lost share in the tablet market in the first quarter as Kindle Fire sales slumped and Apple's iPad widened its lead to 68%, said research firm IDC. Sales of Kindle devices may be dropping off as customers delay purchases in anticipation of newer versions. Google Eyes $200 Million for YouTube Channels Associated Press In a flashy presentation to advertisers, YouTube promoted its new channels of original programming, while pledging to spend $200 million to help market them. The Google-owned video site also announced three new channels, including one offering scripted dramas for women. Amazon Follows Netflix, Hulu Into Original TV San Francisco Business Amazon plans to make and sell its own comedy and children's TV programs, in a direct challenge to Netflix and Hulu. The online retail giant will take pitches for original shows at its Amazon Studios site, where a welcoming banner shouts "Get Your Series Made." Yahoo: Dissident Investor Lacks Board Skills MarketWatch Yahoo said dissident investor Daniel Loeb insisted on being named to the company's board, but the directors rejected him because he "does not have the relevant skill set and experience." Yahoo's board also vows to be "thoughtful about monetizing" its "noncore assets." AOL Veteran: Facebook Is New 'Walled Garden' Associated Press Bob Pittman, AOL's former COO, said Facebook is doing what the Internet portal should have done: It is keeping its structure as a "walled garden." Pittman said AOL's decision to break down its walls beginning in 2004 "probably was the downfall of AOL." MySpace, Thrillist Veterans Support Inside Hook New York Post Actor Ed Burns has signed on as a partner and a curator for Inside Hook, a daily lifestyle e-mail targeting successful men in their 40s, inspired by Daily Candy. Investors and advisers include Bob Pittman, Ben Lerer, Jason Hirschhorn and Andrew Siegel. Glam Media Picks Goldman Sachs for IPO Bank Business Insider Glam Media, one of the leading digital media companies, is said to have chosen Goldman Sachs as its IPO banker. Bank of America Merrill Lynch will serve as a co-lead. Allen & Co., considered a must-have advisor on hot Internet IPOs, will serve as a co-manager. Facebook Expected to Hold IPO in Two Weeks Wall Street Journal Facebook is said to be planning to start its roadshow to pitch its stock to investors on Monday, as the social networking giant enters the final stages of its coming public offering. If the roadshow goes smoothly, Facebook is expected to hold its IPO on May 18. Twitter CEO Not Worried About Making Money Wired Facing yet another series of questions about the commercial prospects of Twitter, CEO Dick Costolo let his frustration with that particular line of inquiry show through: "Look, I appreciate everyone's concern for our business, but it's working phenomenally well." AOL Veterans Take On TechCrunch, AllThingsD Business Insider When The Verge launched last year, it looked like it would be another rival to gadget sites like Gizmodo and Engadget. It turns out editor Josh Topolsky and publisher Marty Moe have much bigger ambitions: "to become the destination for all things technology." Netflix Seeks to Revive CBS Cult Fave 'Jericho' TV Guide Netflix has approached CBS about reviving the series "Jericho." The drama, which followed the residents of a small Kansas town in the wake of a nuclear attack, has been off the air since 2008. Repeats of "Jericho" remain popular on Netflix's on-demand service. Facebook Unveils 'Life-Saving' Organ Donor Tool Next Web Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is due to announce a "life-saving tool" on ABC's "Good Morning America." The social network has revealed that it will let users state that they are organ donors on their timeline, providing links to help them sign up with a donor registry. Twitter, Pepsi to Partner for Streaming Concerts Associated Press PepsiCo is tweeting to a new generation of music lovers. The No. 2 soda company has partnered with Twitter to provide streaming videos of live music concerts to Pepsi's followers on the social networking site. The deal is part of Pepsi's new global ad campaign. Groupon Adds Amex, Deloitte Execs to Its Board Bloomberg Groupon said Daniel Henry, the finance chief of American Express, and Robert Bass, a vice chairman of Deloitte, will become directors, underscoring efforts to shore up investor confidence. The daily deals site recently reported a "material weakness" in financial controls. Demand Media on M&A Radar After Buyout Fails Reuters Shares of Demand Media rose following reports that an offer to take the company private fell through over the weekend, fuelling hopes that the online content provider may be up for grabs. Private-equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners had made a $1.2 billion buyout offer. Drudge Report Attracts Most Republican Readers Politico A new comScore report has found that many political news websites attract visitors from both sides of the aisle. However, Talking Points Memo has the largest percentage of readers who identify as Democrats; Drudge Report has the highest percentage of Republican readers. Webby Awards Name Louis C.K. Person of Year Associated Press The Webby Awards has announced Louis C.K. as "person of the year" for setting "a new precedent for distribution." The comedian released a comedy special by himself on his website for $5. Less than two weeks later, it had reaped more than $1 million. YouTube Channels Debut Signals Media Transition Crain's New York On Wednesday evening in New York, advertising execs will gather for the coming-out party for YouTube's 90 or so new channels of original content, backed by some $100 million in spending. "This is the beginning of the most exciting transition in media since cable." Hulu, Networks to Change Free Streaming Model New York Post Hulu is said to be taking steps to change to a model where viewers will have to prove they are a pay-TV customer to watch shows. Also, Fox is expected to talk with Comcast on a TV Everywhere deal. Plus, Comcast will likely switch to an authentication model for the Olympics. Google Blames Rogue Engineer for FCC Probe Los Angeles Times Google has released the full report of the Federal Communications Commission's investigation into the data it collected from millions of unknowing U.S. households for its Street View service. The report points the finger at an unnamed rogue engineer. Apple Sidesteps Billions of Dollars in Taxes New York Times Apple is said to be using offices in states other than California, where it is headquartered, and countries outside the United States to help minimize its tax burden. The method, which is legal, helps the iPad and iPhone maker reduce its tax bill by billions of dollars each year. Microsoft, Barnes & Noble Ink E-Reading Deal CNET Microsoft has invested $300 million into a new Barnes & Noble subsidiary, known as Newco. As part of the deal, Barnes & Noble will bundle its Nook digital bookstore with Windows 8 when it launches later this year. Also, the companies have settled their patent litigation. Yahoo Escalates Patent Battle with Facebook Associated Press Yahoo is adding new allegations of intellectual property theft to its six-week-old lawsuit against Facebook. In new court papers, Yahoo said Facebook's online social network infringes on 12 of its Internet patents, up from 10. Facebook said it remains "perplexed." Twitter: We're Not Distracted by IPO Chatter Wall Street Journal With Facebook's IPO nearing, eyes have begun to focus on other hot tech companies, and specifically Twitter. But Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey said the social media company's execs don't even think about an IPO unless they are asked about it by reporters. Demand Media Abandons Talks to Go Private AllThingsD Demand Media is said to have abandoned talks to be taken private by Thomas H. Lee Partners. The Boston-based private-equity firm reportedly planned to purchase Demand Media for $1.2 billion, nearly double the online content company's market cap. BuzzFeed: Display Dollars Aren't Coming Back paidContent Jonah Peretti, co-founder of the viral content site BuzzFeed, said the sun is setting on display ads, and publishers should focus instead on ads for social media. "With traditional display, people have figured out clever ways to get more clicks out of ads that don't perform well." Glam Media: Mobile Ad Sales Growing Fastest ClickZ Mobile has become the fastest growing line of business at Glam Media, said Jason Rosenthal, EVP at the online content company. "We hear time and again from brands that they want to reach their consumers wherever they may be and on whatever device they happen to be using." Mediaite Founder Plans Website for Celeb Chefs New York Times Dan Abrams's newest website, The Braiser, will cover chefs who have cultivated worldwide reputations. Abrams, who doubles as a legal analyst for ABC News, also has a hand in the restaurant business: He's an investor in the Lion in Manhattan. Hulu: $2 Billion Value in Providence Stake Sale Bloomberg Hulu owners including Disney and News Corp. are close to buying out Providence Equity Partners' stake at a price valuing the online TV service at about $2 billion. Providence is selling its 10% share for about $200 million after investing $100 million when Hulu began in 2007. Google Fires Back at FCC on Wi-Fi Investigation Associated Press After being hit by the Federal Communications Commission with a $25,000 fine, Google is scolding the agency for its handling of a probe of the company's collection of personal data sent over wireless networks. According to Google, the FCC dawdled in its inquiry. Facebook Video Visitors Down as Yahoo's Rises ClickZ The number of unique visitors viewing video on Facebook totaled 45 million in March 2012, an 8% decline compared to March 2011. Meanwhile, Yahoo's online video rankings had an 8% increase in unique viewers and a 72% increase in average minutes per viewer. Groupon Taps eBay Veteran for Global Position Chicago Tribune Groupon has hired a former eBay and Amazon exec as its SVP for the Americas, a position that has responsibility for the daily deal company's operations in 10 countries. Kal Raman was most recently consulting as general manager of global fulfillment for eBay. Amazon Book Battle Continues with Publishers Bloomberg Businessweek While the e-book drama has taken center stage, Amazon's desire to print some titles on-demand has taken a back seat. But it is a real threat that has most large publishers worrying that Amazon will use its print-on-demand ability to disrupt publishing's business model. Vevo Aims for TV Ad Dollars During NewFront Adweek Vevo, like everybody else in the digital video space holding upfronts this week, wants those TV dollars. Unlike some other companies in the space, they might be able to make the best case of anybody. Vevo has unveiled six news series, including a bizarre scripted comedy. Yahoo Targets Men with New Video Programs TheWrap Yahoo unveiled a slate of original video programming at its NewFront presentation, targeting men with shows from Jeff Goldblum and Sal Masekela. The shows will cover topics like sports, fashion and relationships. The Goldblum and Masekela shows will debut in July. Hulu Announces Gay, Lesbian Genre Category WebProNews Hulu has unveiled a new gay and lesbian genre category, comprised of roughly 100 titles. The streaming video platform offers award-winning features such as "Paris is Burning" and "Frida," as well as the documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk." Spotify Developing U.S. Internet Radio Service Bloomberg Spotify, the London-based online music provider, is said to be developing a U.S. Internet radio service that would directly challenge Pandora Media. The new service would start by year-end and be supported by advertising, said two people with knowledge of the situation. Google: Blame Parents If Kids See Adult Content Daily Mail Google exec Naomi Gummer said it is a "myth"' that laws can protect children from adult content on the Internet. She insisted it was up to parents to keep their children safe from such material. "Technology is moving so fast that legislation is a blunt tool." Ancestry.com to Acquire Rival Archives Website Associated Press Ancestry.com plans to acquire rival family history website Archives.com for about $100 million in cash and assumed liabilities. The two Internet companies said they are combining their strengths and key employees but will maintain separate websites. Apple iPhones, iPads Targeted in Subway Thefts CBSNewYork The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is reporting a major surge in New York City subway crime. There were 232 robberies in the first quarter of 2012. In addition, there were 393 grand larcenies, mostly iPhones and iPads, during that same period. ABC News, Yahoo Prep Katie Couric Web Show Adweek Katie Couric has an official ABC News show, but it is not on TV. The former "Today" and "CBS Evening News" anchor will host a digital program, "Katie's Take," on Yahoo, which partnered with ABC News last year. It is the first ABC News program with Couric as headliner. 'CNN Killer' Planet Daily Video Site Gets Funding New York Observer Planet Daily, the video startup announced a few weeks ago by former Huffington Post execs Ken Lerer and Eric Hippeau, is said to have raised $5 million from undisclosed investors. The so-called "CNN killer" will reportedly launch this summer in time for the elections. Netflix Arrives on Sony Entertainment Network CNET Sony Entertainment Network has expanded with access to Netflix. Owners of Sony's 2012 Bravia home theater products that come with Sony Entertainment Network support will find Netflix's app available. Netflix subscribers will be able to stream TV shows and films. AOL Launches 'AOL On' Online Video Network Associated Press AOL plans to launch an online video network that will gather its programming onto one platform, the latest bid by a major Internet destination to be a player in web TV. AOL announced the video hub at a presentation of programming to advertisers in New York. Twitter Founder to Host Video Show on AOL Advertising Age AOL touted a slate of new programming at its digital content "newfront" aimed at luring TV ad buyers. One notable series: Twitter co-founder Biz Stone will host a show where he interviews the likes of former President Bill Clinton and the CEOs of Cisco and Nike. Microsoft Loses Ad Execs Amid Digital Pitch New York Post Microsoft has lost two top advertising execs just as it makes its pitch for more digital ad dollars. Richard Dunmall, VP in charge of relationships with global ad agencies, has left the company. Marc Bresseel, VP of global marketing, is also said to be exiting. Apple Rakes In $8 Billion in Media Business AllThingsD Apple is really in the hardware business, not the software business — It just uses the sales of apps, music and movies to help sell gadgets. But it does sell a lot of software: iTunes sales came in at $1.9 billion last quarter, putting the digital store at a run rate of $8 billion. Google Launches Revamped 'Drive' Product New York Post Google has launched a long-anticipated online storage service, called Drive, allowing people to store photos, documents and videos on the company's servers so that they can be accessible from web-connected devices, including Apple's iPhone and iPad. Facebook IPO Faces Possible Delay Until June CNBC Less than two weeks before the potential launch of Facebook's initial public offering roadshow, a string of acquisitions and other business distractions have threatened to delay the sale until June, according to people familiar with the matter. Groupon Seeks New Directors After Restatement Bloomberg Groupon is said to be seeking to hire at least two new directors as it attempts to regain investor confidence following a restatement of revenue last month. The daily deals site is responding to criticism that it misled investors after reporting a "material weakness." Netflix Sees Slower Growth Amid Heated Rivalry Bloomberg Netflix shares fell 17% after projecting a slowdown in growth of U.S. streaming customers. The world's largest video-subscription service is racing to add viewers to confront competition from the likes of Comcast and Verizon. "We're growing content offerings." YouTube Unveils AdWords for Video Offering San Jose Business YouTube has launched AdWords for Video, a system for businesses to buy video ads on Google's video-sharing site. The ads can play before other videos, or be promoted as sponsored videos in search results or off to the side of another video a user is watching. Microsoft Sells Former AOL Patents to Facebook AllThingsD Facebook and Microsoft have announced a deal in which the social networking giant will pay $550 million for access to more than 600 patents. The deal covers a portion of the patents that Microsoft paid $1 billion earlier this month to acquire from AOL. Facebook Reveals Revenue Slide Ahead of IPO Reuters Facebook reported its first quarter-to-quarter revenue slide in at least two years, a sign that the social network's growth may be cooling as it prepares to go public in the biggest ever Internet IPO. The company blames the decline on seasonal advertising trends. BuzzFeed, Comedy Central Team for 'Tuesday' FishbowlDC Comedy Central's "Indecision" and BuzzFeed will present "UnSuper Tuesday," a Twitter-centric live-streamed special on Ustream. The "UnSuper Tuesday" team will offer commentary in the run-up to Mitt Romney's general election launch. YouTube to Pursue Small-Business Video Ads New York Times YouTube plans to announce a program it hopes will position the company as a major player in the market for small-business video advertising. "With a global audience of 800 million monthly visitors, every day can feel like you're advertising in the Super Bowl." NimbleTV to Stream Pay TV Onto Web Devices New York Times Tech start-up NimbleTV plans to introduce a way to move a whole subscription's worth of TV onto the web, with or without the subscription company's permission. NimbleTV will begin a limited test in New York City on Monday. "It picks up where Slingbox left off." Netflix CEO Wins 'Massive' Take-Home Pay Hike Next Web Netflix CEO Reed Hastings saw his overall compensation increase by 68% in 2011, in spite of Qwikster debacle. Hastings' salary actually decreased to $500,000 last year. However, his stock option award increased greatly, heavily impacting his total pay. Google Ex-CEO's Salary Rises to $1.25 Million Reuters Google former CEO Eric Schmidt received a bump in his annual salary to $1.25 million from the $1 he received in the previous year, after he became the executive chairman of the company in April. Schmidt ranks as the most highly compensated Google exec. AOL CEO's Compensation Drops to $3.2 Million Associated Press AOL CEO Tim Armstrong's 2011 compensation package shrank 79% as the Internet pioneer kept trying turn its business around. Armstrong's pay package was valued at $3.2 million last year. Much of the decline was because he received no stock or option awards. Pinterest Loses Users as Hype Bubble Bursts Business Insider AppData, which monitors how often users of third-party apps and websites interact with Facebook, said the number of Facebook-connected Pinterest users has declined precipitously the past 50 days. Most Pinterest users sign up via Facebook. News.me App to Automatically Download News TechCrunch News.me, the newsreader app hatched in the New York Times' R&D lab and incubated at betaworks, has added a feature called Paper Boy to its new iPhone app, which gives readers instant access to their news offline — whenever they leave the house. Gawker to Launch New Commenting System GigaOM Gawker Media plans to roll out a new commenting system on its network of websites that will give users their own platform for commentary and discussion. The move aims to encourage story subjects to become involved in offering their feedback directly on the sites. HuffPost: Arianna's AOL Email Account Hacked Gawker Arianna Huffington's AOL email account was hacked late last week. "Our tech department investigated and discovered it was hackers from Nigeria," wrote the Huffington Post co-founder in an email. "And, no, I'm not giving up my AOL email." Google Top U.S. Online Video Provider in March Dow Jones Google again captured the largest share of U.S. web viewers last month, driven primarily by videos viewed at its YouTube unit, according to comScore. Hulu had the most video ad views, with a record 1.75 billion, beating out Google's 1.27 billion. Hulu Unveils Four Original Series to Advertisers Bloomberg Hulu has announced four new original series in meetings with advertisers as the online video service seeks to offer shows that can't be found on television. Two of the series, "We Got Next" and Seth Meyers' animated "The Awesomes," will start this year. Netflix Faces Rival in WalMart's Vudu Expansion Variety WalMart video service Vudu has plans for an aggressive international expansion, which could spell trouble for Netflix and other competitors. WalMart is expected to make Mexico the first overseas home for Vudu in June ahead of a bigger deployment later in the year. Activision Game Helped 'Train' Norway Gunman Guardian Anders Behring Breivik has described how he "trained" for the attacks he carried out in Norway last summer using the computer game "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare." The accused killer said he practiced his shots using a "holographic aiming device" on the war simulation game. Foursquare Eyes June for Ad Platform Launch Advertising Age Foursquare aims to launch a paid-media platform in June and is pitching brands to become launch partners. The new product will allow merchants to promote a deal to check in at a given area. When users search for local specials, they can see offers via paid ads. Bleacher Report Sports Website Is On the Block Business Insider Bleacher Report is on the block and the sports website was almost acquired by Turner, according to an M&A source. Asked to confirm or deny the news, CEO Brian Grey said the company does not comment on rumors. Bleacher Report ranks as one of the top sports sites. Apple Wants Trial on Price-Fixing of E-Books Reuters Apple wants to go to trial to defend itself against U.S. government allegations that it conspired with publishers to raise prices of electronic books, a lawyer for the Silicon Valley giant said in court. "We would like the case to be decided on the merits." Facebook Said to Target May 17 for IPO Date TechCrunch According to multiple sources close to the company, Facebook is eyeing May 17 for its IPO, depending on whether U.S. regulators agree that all paperwork is in order. This is in line with earlier reports that the company was going to hit NASDAQ during the third week of May. Foursquare Signs With Talent Agency UTA Variety Foursquare has signed with talent agency UTA to assist in striking partnerships within the entertainment industry. Foursquare is expected to leverage UTA's relationships to turn record labels and other companies into active partners of the check-in experience. Creative Artists Agency Eyes Tech Start-Ups USA Today Creative Artists Agency is incubating Internet startups at its Century City headquarters. The Hollywood talent agency has seeded popular websites such as Funny or Die and WhoSay. CAA hopes it will one day see the type of paydays exhibited recently by Instagram. Huffington Post Taps Pavley as Chief Tech Officer Business Insider The Huffington Post has poached Spotify exec John Pavley as the company's new CTO. Pavley, who will report to Arianna Huffington, is tasked with overseeing and expanding the development team, as well as running editorial and advertising platforms. Tumblr Announces Foray Into Paid Advertising Advertising Age Tumblr has announced its first foray into paid advertising. The microblogging platform will start offering the "Radar" post that appears on a user's dashboard as an ad unit. The move represents the first time marketers will be able to pay Tumblr to advertise. Punch App Hires Vanity Fair Veteran as Editor Forbes Punch, the new satirical pop-culture iPad app from Dany Levy and Maer Roshan, has named Vanity Fair veteran Jim Windolf as editor in chief. Windolf held various editorial positions with Vanity Fair for more than a decade. Punch is backed by $2.25 million in funding. Facebook Tests 'Trending Articles' in Newsfeed Mashable Facebook is testing a "Trending Articles" placement in the Newsfeed. "Trending Articles" displays a small group of stories pulled from the social reader apps of news organizations such as the Washington Post, the Guardian and the Huffington Post. Hulu to Charge Only for Ads Watched in Entirety Advertising Age Hulu shows more video ads to consumers than any other U.S. website or service. It will soon change the way it charges advertisers for those views, counting only completed ads as impressions for advertisers. The change will apply across both Hulu and its subscription service. Yahoo to Cut 50 Properties in Business Focus TechCrunch Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson said he will be shutting down or "transitioning" at least 50 properties, so that the company can focus on core products like mail and finance. Thompson, who didn't reveal the properties, said: "Yahoo has been doing way too much." Facebook Increases Ad Rates Ahead of IPO Adweek Facebook will make all kinds of pretty pennies when it goes public, but the company has already been filling its coffers through a booming ad business. The average CPM for ads on Facebook profiles and brand pages have jumped 41% since the first quarter of 2011. Google, Oracle CEOs in Court Fight Over Java San Francisco Chronicle Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Google CEO Larry Page are squaring off in a federal courtroom. Google denies that its Android software infringes the patents and copyrights of Java, a programming technology that Oracle obtained when it bought Sun Microsystems in 2010. Amazon Acquires Rights to James Bond Books New York Times Amazon Publishing has snapped up the rights to publish 14 James Bond books in the United States. The books by Ian Fleming, including "Casino Royale," "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Goldfinger," will be released by Amazon's Thomas & Mercer imprint beginning this summer. Read It Later App Goes Free, Becomes Pocket CNET Pocket will become the successor to the megapopular short-term bookmarking tool Read It Later. Just as simple and platform-compatible as Read It Later, the new incarnation adds extra features and shows off a completely redesigned interface. Huffington Post Preps Weekly Magazine App Folio On the heels of its seventh anniversary and its first Pulitzer Prize, the Huffington Post is breaking into the digital magazine business. On April 24, HuffPost will debut the weekly Huffington, the Huffington Post Magazine for the iPad, designed to showcase top stories. Netflix CEO's Comcast Complaints Stirs FCC Wall Street Journal Netflix CEO Reed Hastings' complaints about Comcast's web traffic policies appear to have drawn attention from the Federal Communications Commission, which said it is monitoring the situation. The agency "takes seriously any allegations of violations." Hulu Subscription Service Surpasses 2 Million New York Times This week Hulu will announce that it has topped 2 million subscribers for its $8-a-month Hulu Plus service in the first quarter. But the online TV site still has to figure out how to marry its subscription service with the systems being set up by the cable and satellite operators. YouTube, Google Play to Add 600 MGM Movies Associated Press Google is adding 600 movies from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to the titles it has available for rent on YouTube and also Google Play, its digital content store for Android-powered mobile devices. MGM joins five other major studios offering movies for rent through Google. AOL Teams with Nielsen, Eyes TV Ad Dollars Wall Street Journal In an effort to woo ad dollars away from television, AOL said it would begin offering advertisers the ability to buy online video ads with the same formula used to purchase TV ad time. AOL has teamed up with Nielsen to offer TV-like audience guarantees to marketers. Google Founder Slams Facebook, Apple, Others GigaOM Sergey Brin is not a happy man. Talking about the threats to the open web, the Google co-founder seems to be in defensive mood — taking shots in public remarks at everyone from China and Saudi Arabia to the entertainment industry to Facebook and Apple. Yahoo Hires Exec to Run Commerce Division Bloomberg Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson, trying to lead a turnaround at the largest U.S. web portal, has hired former PayPal exec Sam Shrauger to help run a new consumer-commerce division. Shrauger will co-lead the business with Mollie Spilman, a current Yahoo exec. Microsoft Offers Cloud-Based Service to Media Seattle Times Microsoft has unveiled Windows Azure Media Services, its new cloud-based set of services intended to help media companies create and deliver digital content to consumers. Windows Azure Media Services offers first- and third-party ready-to-use technologies. Google VP Mayer Nominated to Walmart Board Next Web Walmart's board of directors has nominated Marissa Mayer, VP of location and local services at Google, for election as a new member of the U.S. retail giant's board. Walmart has been keeping a close eye on Internet-related businesses. Apple Rumored to Unveil 'iPad Mini' This Year Mashable A month after Apple delivered its new iPad, rumors are heating up about a new iteration of the tablet designed to compete with Amazon's Kindle Fire. The latest rumor to make the rounds is that Apple is planning to produce smaller iPads for sale in the third quarter. Twitter to Boost 'Revenue Engineering' Team AllThingsD Twitter has acquired the team behind social media analytics company Hotspots.io. At least three members of the start-up outfit have joined the microblogging site's "revenue engineering team" to build tools for Twitter advertisers and publishers. HuffPost Founder Preps 'Planet Daily' Video New York Observer Soho Tech Labs is working on a video news start-up aimed at the "Jon Stewart set." Former Huffington Post CTO Paul Berry has revealed that the service has been giving a working title: Planet Daily, a collaboration between Lerer Ventures and Bedrocket Media. AOL's Huffington Post Wins Pulitzer Prize Huffington Post David Wood, senior military correspondent for the Huffington Post, has been awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. His Pulitzer marks the first win for the seven-year-old HuffPost and a milestone in the recognition of online-only news organizations. Google Fined for Impeding FCC Investigation Reuters Google has been fined $25,000 for impeding a U.S. investigation into the data collection for its Street View project, which allows users to see street level images when they map a location. "Google refused to identify any employees or produce any e-mails." Netflix CEO Bashes Comcast on Net Neutrality AllThingsD Reed Hastings has called out Comcast, using his personal Facebook account to vent at the cable company. The Netflix CEO's blast accuses Comcast of violating "net neutrality" principles, by favoring its own web video service over those from Netflix, HBO and Hulu. Tumblr, Foursquare Brace for Buyout Offers New York Post Thanks to the $1 billion Facebook paid for Instagram, several New York-based tech firms in the mobile space are bracing for big-money buyout offers. Tumblr, Foursquare and Mobli, already hotly sought-after acquisition targets, can demand even more from suitors. Gilt Groupe: IPO Looms for 'Amazon of Luxury' Newsweek Susan Lyne, a former top exec with both ABC and Martha Stewart, now runs the Gilt Groupe, which many are expecting to go public in 2013. Gilt has a market value of more than $1 billion, making it the second-most-valuable e-commerce company with its own inventory. BuzzFeed Hires VP for Entertainment Biz Sales Variety Terry City has joined BuzzFeed as VP of West Coast sales, focusing on the entertainment industry. City joins the Internet hub from Huffington Post, where he was executive director of sales and strategy. City has held sales posts at Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. YouTube Stars Get Hollywood Super Agents USA Today Hollywood agents are eyeing homegrown YouTube talent as a new source of income, as the popularity of some performers and their "channels" dwarfs many TV shows. YouTube's next step, according to analysts, is to become a viable competitor to traditional TV. Hulu Reduces Price of Subscriptions in Japan GigaOM Hulu has announced that it is lowering its subscription price in Japan from about $18.20 to $12.10. "We listened to user feedback and assessed current market conditions." The video site lowered the price of its U.S. subscription tier from $9.99 to $7.99 in 2010. Forrester: Couch Potatoes Use Tablets as TV MSNBC Many consumers with tablets are using them to either watch TV with a tablet nearby, or even watch TV on their tablets, relegating the traditional TV set to a more secondary role, according to Forrester Research. Tablets are becoming the "couch computer" of choice. Google CEO Douses Acquisition Speculation ClickZ Google CEO Larry Page has appeared to address industry speculation about whether his company would buy Pinterest or another lucrative tech property, in wake of Facebook purchasing Instagram. "We don't have a big acquisition plan, in case you are wondering," he said. Pinterest Seen as $2 Billion Takeover Target Los Angeles Times Pinterest has seen its traffic grow almost sevenfold in five months and is now ranked as the No. 3 social network behind Facebook and Twitter. Pinterest could eventually go public or be acquired, fetching some $2 billion if it is sold, according to industry watchers. Groupon Hires Exec to Run Foreign Operations Crain's Chicago Groupon is bulking up its management team, naming Veit Dengler as senior VP of international of the daily-deal company. Dengler is a veteran exec of both Dell and McKinsey & Co. The Chicago-based Groupon now gets 63% of its revenue from outside North America. Yahoo Deal May Change Online Music Model CNBC TRI Studios, founded by Grateful Dead band member Bob Weir, has entered a deal with Yahoo that aims to bring high quality music and videos into homes — and could change the music streaming business model. TRI said it will split online revenue with Yahoo. Apple: We Helped Break Amazon's 'Monopoly' Wall Street Journal Apple has broken its silence about the U.S. Department of Justice's allegations that it colluded with publishers over e-book pricing by calling the allegations "simply not true." Apple's iBookstore helped break "Amazon's monopolistic grip on the publishing industry." Barnes & Noble to Light Up E-Reader Screen Associated Press Barnes & Noble said it is tackling one of the shortcomings of e-readers with a screen that lights up so it can be read in the dark. The new Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight offers the ability to read books in bed without disturbing a partner by turning on a bedside lamp. Apple, Publishers Hit with Antitrust Lawsuit Bloomberg The United States has sued Apple, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster in New York district court, claiming the publishers colluded to fix e-book prices. Simon & Schuster, Hachette and HarperCollins are said to have settled their suits. Amazon Cuts E-Book Pricing, Shaking Rivals New York Times As soon as the Justice Department announced that it was suing Apple and five major publishers on price-fixing charges, Amazon announced plans to cut prices on e-books. The price of some major titles could fall to $9.99 or less from $14.99, saving readers a bundle. AOL Patch Editor Exits to 'Explore Opportunities' Forbes The week of big news out of AOL continues: Brian Farnham, editor in chief of the Patch network of hyperlocal news sites, is leaving. While a Patch spokeswoman said that this was "100% his decision," it should be noted that AOL recently hired a chief content officer. Web Piracy Bills 'Dead' After Internet Protest Bloomberg Hollywood-backed legislation to fight online piracy, shelved this year after an Internet protest led by Google and Wikipedia, is "dead," said the head of the trade group for the largest movie studios. The Internet protest over the Stop Online Piracy Act was a "watershed event." Wal-Mart Tests 'Disc to Digital' Movie Service Associated Press Wal-Mart Stores has previewed its "Disc to Digital" service for converting DVDs into an online library. The new service allows movie fans to walk into any Wal-Mart, where they can present their old DVDs and get permanent access to an online version of each movie. Google Looks to Tablets to Boost Ad Clicks New York Post Google's search business is expected to show another drop in cost-per-clicks when the company releases first-quarter results today. But a new report suggests tablets can help reverse the trend. The effectiveness of tablet search ads is expected to lift Google's mobile prospects. Apple Faces Justice Dept Lawsuit Over E-Books Reuters The Justice Department could sue Apple as early as Wednesday over alleged electronic book price-fixing, while settling with several publishers as early as this week. The book publishers include Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Hachette, Pearson and Macmillan. Facebook Founder Threatened to Disable Website Bloomberg Mark Zuckerberg threatened in 2004 to disable part of the website he was working on for Paul Ceglia, the New York man now suing him for part-ownership of Facebook. "I must receive $5,000 or the scroll search functionality will be removed from the site," Zuck wrote. Microsoft Xbox Expands to Offer Video, Music AllThingsD Microsoft claims its Xbox Live users spend more time consuming media — videos and music — than playing games. Over the past five months, the company has brought more than 20 new apps or improved versions of apps to Xbox specifically to entertain nongamers. Yahoo, Ford Team for Web Reality Video Series ClickZ Yahoo hopes celebrity buzz brings Ford and an upcoming reality series some branding horsepower for the Focus Electric. Ford's campaign for the new vehicle will be entirely digital, according to Yahoo, which will debut a reality competition web show in May. YouTube Adds Pay-Per-View to Live Streaming GigaOM YouTube is adding monetization options to its live streaming platform, including the ability for publishers to charge for live events. YouTube announced pay-per-view as part of a set of new features rolled out for the one-year anniversary of its live streaming platform. Gartner: Tablet Sales to Double; iPad Still Rules Fortune When it comes to tablet computers, a market Apple dominated in 2010 and 2011, Gartner expects more of the same for the foreseeable future. In a new report, the research firm projects tablet sales to end users to reach 118.9 million units in 2012, up 98% from last year. Twitter Book Due from New York Times Journo GigaOM Nick Bilton, technology columnist at the New York Times, is said to have agreed to a deal with Penguin Portfolio to write a book about Twitter. The book is slated for publication by the end of 2013. Bilton covers companies such as Twitter and Square for the newspaper. Groupon: New Lawsuit Targets CEO, Top Execs paidContent The lawsuits are coming fast and furious against Groupon after the company admitted to dodgy accounting tactics. The latest complaint is a "derivative suit," in which shareholders seek to enforce the company's rights against CEO Andrew Mason and other execs. Travelzoo Mulls Sale, Seeks Financial Adviser Reuters Travelzoo, a publisher of travel newsletters and websites that has seen its shares plunge 75% since July last year, is said to be planning to sell itself. The New York-based Internet company is in the process of hiring a financial adviser, according to sources. DNAinfo News Site Sets Up Chicago Bureau Crain's New York DNAinfo, a hyper-local news operation backed by a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, is expanding into Chicago. The New York-based company, started in 2010 by Joe Ricketts, is looking to hire top editors to help get Chicago operations off the ground. Gawker Launches Column by Fox News 'Mole' Gawker Gawker claims to have hired a current employee of Fox News Channel as a columnist. The unnamed figure will provide the news and gossip site with "regular dispatches from inside" the news organization. The Fox Mole's inaugural column debuted Tuesday. AOL Investor: Patent Sale Doesn't Fix Losses Bloomberg AOL investor Starboard said the sale of patents to Microsoft doesn't go far enough in solving the Internet company's problems, urging it to find new ways to extract value from its advertising business. Starboard wants AOL to return more cash to shareholders. Yahoo Unveils Reorganization in Staff Email AllThingsD Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson has sent email to employees announcing a new leadership organization for the Internet company. The core groups will essentially be media, connections and commerce, led by Ross Levinsohn, Shashi Seth and an exec to be determined. Apple's iPad in Danger of Becoming Generic Associated Press For many people, the idea of a tablet computer is captured by the iPad. Apple may be in danger of seeing its "iPad" brand become a generic term, like "aspirin" or "escalator," according to experts. The brand could "lose all trademark significance." Facebook 'Likes' Instagram in $1 Billion Deal CNET Facebook, just weeks away from what is expected to be the biggest Internet IPO in history, has entered a deal to acquire the hugely popular photo-sharing app Instagram for about $1 billion. "We'll be able to ... offer the best experiences for sharing beautiful mobile photos." Reddit: 'More About Media Than Personalities' Forbes Reddit strives to be a community-oriented link-sharing and news site, according to new CEO Yishan Wong. "In the context of social media, Reddit is more about the media than the personalities." Reddit profiles contain "very little personal information." BuzzFeed Opens Channel Dedicated to Animals BuzzFeed Buzzfeed is launching a channel for "Animals," promising "a safe place on the Internet with animals in it." The new vertical is inviting visitors to "upload your pet" to the social content website's Cute List. "We are going to judge who has the cutest!" Apple May Become First $1 Trillion Company Daily Mail Apple will become the world's first trillion-dollar company when its shares top $1,000, Wall Streeters have predicted. Apple is already the world's most valuable company, currently valued at some $590 billion. "Apple fever is spreading like a wildfire around the world." AOL Sells Patents to Microsoft for $1 Billion CNET AOL is starting off the week with a bang — and a billion-dollar jolt to its financials. The company announced that it has inked a deal with Microsoft that will see the online firm sell 800 of its patents and their related patent applications for $1.056 billion in cash. Google Moves In On Hollywood's Big Night New York Times The annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner is Hollywood's big night in Washington. This year, however, Google will be in the crowd, and some media execs aren't thrilled. Some are still smarting over Google's role in defeating antipiracy legislation. Netflix Forms a Political Action Committee Politico Netflix has formed a political action committee, according to new federal records, in yet another move to boost its profile in Washington. Called FLIXPAC, the committee may now make contributions donations directly to federal candidates — up to $5,000 per election. Vevo Sees Growth via Mobile Apps, Facebook Advertising Age Vevo was born on YouTube. But by the end of 2012, the music-video service expects to have as many viewers off of YouTube in the U.S. as on YouTube, largely thanks to Facebook. "The activity on Facebook is our greatest chance to get to 50% of view off of YouTube." Hulu Filmmaker Sees Video Site as TV's Future Hollywood.com "Super Size Me" filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is now at the helm of the Hulu original docu-series "A Day in the Life." "This whole idea of things that are only available on the Internet or only on TV, within the next five to seven years will be eliminated completely." Facebook E-Commerce: The Next Big Thing? Reuters A group of e-commerce start-ups are betting that Facebook can become an e-commerce powerhouse to rival Amazon and eBay. As Facebook moves toward a $5 billion IPO, it will come under more pressure to find new sources of profit and reduce its reliance on advertising. Yahoo Chief Product Officer Irving Resigns AllThingsD According to sources close to the situation, Yahoo's chief product officer Blake Irving has turned in his resignation. The central product organization Irving runs at Yahoo will essentially be blown up, per a restructuring expected to be announced this week. Groupon Facing Doubts About Its Viability Los Angeles Times Five months after going public with much fanfare, Groupon is facing fresh doubts on several fronts concerning its credibility and long-term viability. The daily deals site has been bedeviled by competition, a lack of profit and questions over its accounting practices. Glam Media Site Publisher Said to Eye IPO Adweek Glam Media, famous for its female-centric websites, now has bigger dreams. CEO Samir Arora said the company focused as much on cranking out content as erecting a social community around it. The privately held company is said to be prepping an IPO. Huffington, Murdoch Host Soiree for Freston WWD Arianna Huffington and Wendi Murdoch packed the house — Huffington's house to be precise — Thursday night to toast Kathy Freston for her new book, "The Lean." Among the guests: Diane Sawyer, Tina Brown, Martha Stewart, Charlie Rose, Tory Burch, Dr. Oz, Joel Klein. YouTube Founders Eye Magazine Publishing Fusible YouTube co-founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen have posted a "coming soon" page on the website Zeen. While few details are available, Zeen has released the message: "Hello world! You'll soon be able to discover and create beautiful magazines with us." Apple Eyes Court Fight Over E-Book Pricing Bloomberg Apple and publishers Penguin and Macmillan are said to be preparing to fight the U.S. Justice Department in court over pricing agreements for digital books. The three companies want to protect the so-called agency model that lets publishers set e-book prices. Facebook to Choose Nasdaq for Stock Listing Bloomberg Facebook is said to be planning to list its shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market, further cementing the exchange operator's position as the favored venue for the biggest U.S. technology companies. Facebook filed for a $5 billion initial public offering on Feb. 1. Google Restarts M&A Plan, Gets Ready to Buy Forbes Google's new approach to mergers and acquisitions mirrors the Internet giant's narrowing of focus since cofounder Larry Page took over as CEO. "There's less randomness," said M&A head David Lawee. Now acquisitions must be deemed "strategically important." Twitter Nabs PR Chief Stricker from Google New York Daily News Twitter has a new VP of communications — who may never have used the microblogging service before. Gabriel Stricker, former director of global communications and public affairs at Google, confirmed his new role in a tweet, which appears to be his first-ever post. Yahoo Plans Tuesday Reorganization Meeting Reuters Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson is expected to outline his long-term strategy for the struggling Internet company at an staff meeting Tuesday, days after he announced a round of 2,000 job cuts. The reorganization is likely to focus around "media, platforms and data." AOL June Annual Meeting Stirs Activist Investor Wall Street Journal AOL has set June 14 as the date of its annual meeting, at which activist investor Starboard Value plans to contest several seats on the Internet company's board. CEO Tim Armstrong has urged stockholders not to "sign or return any proxy card" from Starboard. Huffington Said to Manipulate New York Times Business Insider Despite the New York Times's "Huffington Gains More Control" at AOL story, Arianna Huffington is said to have seen a "narrowing" of her job. Times reporter Brian Stelter is "close" to new Huffington PR hire Lauren Kapp, who aimed to "get ahead of the demotion story." AP, Google Award Six $20,000 Scholarships San Francisco Business Google has named six winners in its joint Journalism and Technology Scholarship with the Associated Press. The Internet search giant said the money is to support people studying "at the intersection of journalism, computer science and new media." Apple, Google Race to Hit $1,000-a-Share Mark USA Today Apple, Google, Priceline and Intuitive Surgical are in a four-way battle to see which will be the first Standard & Poor's 500 stock to break the $1,000-a-share barrier. According to observers, Apple may need another hit product before its stock could touch $1,000. Boxee to Fight Big Media Over the Future of TV Bloomberg Boxee, a New York startup that shows Internet video on televisions, aims to fight a proposed rule backed by Comcast, News Corp. and Disney that would let cable operators encrypt TV transmissions. The move would make Boxee cable-TV viewers only see static. Yahoo Job Cuts 'Disappoint' Activist Investor San Jose Business Yahoo's biggest outside shareholder is "disappointed" in the 2,000 layoffs the company announced Wednesday. "Shareholders deserve a management team and board who have a strategic plan," said Third Point, the hedge fund founded by activist investor Daniel Loeb. Google to Test Web-Based Digital Eyewear Reuters Google is getting into the eyewear business with a pair of thin wraparound shades that puts the company's web services in your face. The "augmented reality" glasses can snap photos, initiate videochats and display directions at the sound of a user's voice. Facebook's Global Ambitions Lure Advertisers ClickZ Facebook has 845 million monthly users worldwide, which equated to $3.2 billion in 2011 ad sales. Domino's Pizza, Levi's and Starbucks are among the brands launching global Facebook ad efforts in the past year. Facebook ad sales this year are expected to reach $5 billion. Twitter Opens Regional Sales Office in Detroit Next Web Twitter has opened a regional sales office in Detroit. The company already operates in Washington D.C., Cincinnati, Austin and Atlanta. Twitter's regional offices "supplement" the company's larger presences in Chicago, New York, Tokyo, London and Dublin. Huffington Gains More Control in AOL Revamp New York Times One year after its acquisition by AOL, the Huffington Post has become a source of growth with several business units now in Arianna Huffington's hands. Also, Huffington is expected to name NBC News's Lauren Kapp to run global strategy, marketing and communications. Hulu, Netflix Move Americans to Cut the Cord TheWrap Netflix and Hulu are convincing millions of cable, satellite and telco subscribers to cut the cord and dive into video streaming. That is the conclusion of a new report, which finds that 2.65 million Americans canceled TV subscriptions between 2008 and 2011. YouTube in Movie Rental Deal with Paramount Los Angeles Times Google's YouTube has struck a movie-rental deal with a fifth major Hollywood studio, Paramount Pictures, adding 500 new titles to its expanding online library. The addition of Paramount's films brings YouTube's rental library to nearly 9,000 titles. Netflix Seen at Risk as Rivals Add More Titles CNET Barclays analyst Anthony DiClemente has downgraded Netflix's stock to a hold rating, as Amazon adds more titles to its Prime streaming-video library, the costs of acquiring content skyrockets and more competitors emerge in the United States and overseas. Amazon Prime Follows Netflix to PlayStation Bloomberg Amazon has added its streaming films and TV shows to Sony's PlayStation 3 console, playing catch-up with rival Netflix. The PS3 is the first game device to get Amazon Instant Video film and TV rentals. "It's all about building the best digital video service." Yahoo to Cut 2,000 Jobs, Name a Media Chief AllThingsD Yahoo's massive round of layoffs — which is likely to impact up to 2,000 employees — is just the tip of the iceberg that will hit the Internet giant in the months to come. A reorganization is expected to put exec Ross Levinsohn as the head of a new global media division. Facebook Files Counterclaims Against Yahoo San Francisco Chronicle Facebook has accused Yahoo of infringing 10 patents through its home page and Flickr photo-sharing service and in ads displayed throughout its site. Facebook, which was sued by Yahoo for patent infringement last month, made the counterclaims in a federal court filing. Google CEO Said to Have 'Facebook Fixation' Associated Press When he became CEO last April, Larry Page insisted that Google had to be more aggressive about countering the threat posed by Facebook. He responded with a social networking crusade that is still reshaping Google as he marks his one-year anniversary as CEO. Groupon Shares Plummet as Shareholder Sues Crain's Chicago On the day Groupon stock closed at $15.02, an all-time low, a shareholder sued the firm, accusing it of misleading investors about its financial prospects and concealing weak internal controls. Groupon recently said it had a "material weakness." Internet Providers Aim to Enter Anti-Piracy Fight CNET Jill Lesser, an exec with experience with Internet and consumer issues, has been named to oversee an effort to get Internet providers to police copyrights. Top U.S. ISPs, along with major film and music companies, plan to start a "graduated response" program. Google TV Is Coming to Europe This September GigaOM Sony will start selling Google TV-based products in Europe, according to a report. The new Sony boxes will have a Google Play button on their remote controls, giving direct access to Google's app and content store. The box will also come with Sony's own content offerings. Yahoo Activist Investor Third Point Starts a Blog AllThingsD In another high-profile parry in its aggressive proxy fight against Yahoo, activist shareholder Third Point has launched an extensive blog, called Value Yahoo, to support its case with investors. Value Yahoo aims to keep pressure on Yahoo's board and management. Groupon Eyed by U.S. Regulators Over Results Wall Street Journal The SEC is said to be examining Groupon's revision of its first set of financial results as a public company. The regulator's probe into the online-coupon company is at a preliminary stage and the agency hasn't yet decided whether to launch a formal investigation. Pinterest Founder Exits for Venture-Capital Firm TechCrunch Pinterest co-founder Paul Sciarra has left the fastest-growing social networking company. Sciarra is joining Andreessen Horowitz, one of Pinterest's investors, as entrepreneur-in-residence. Sciarra said he hopes to build more "cool things with awesome people." Apple's iPad Is No. 1 Tablet, Even with the Heat Bloomberg Apple's new iPad was named the best tablet computer in a ranking by Consumer Reports, two weeks after the magazine said the device runs "significantly hotter" than previous models. The new iPad's high-resolution screen provides "the best detail and color accuracy." Facebook, Twitter Pay System Tested by Media Reuters A one-click online payment system using Facebook and Twitter that could boost Internet sales for newspapers and other low-priced goods and services is being tested by an unnamed major European media company, according to the Belgium-based developer of Paycento. BuzzFeed Taps Copyranter as One-Man Vertical New York Observer BuzzFeed has hired Copyranter blog writer Mark Duffy, the company announced. His blog will become an Andrew Sullivan-style one-man vertical over at Jonah Peretti's news-meme factory. To entice readers to follow him, Duffy will pay $25 for the best tip each month. Netflix Acquires DVD Internet Domain Name Domain Name Wire Netflix has purchased the domain name DVD.com. The domain now forwards visitors to DVD.netflix.com. "Netflix cares about keeping DVD healthy," said a spokesperson for the movie-streaming service, "and this is just one small investment in keeping DVD healthy." YouTube Unveils Channel Sponsorship Ads Adweek YouTube is pioneering a new advertising model to support its batch of video channels — selling sponsorships rather than TV-style demos. The ballpark value for the sponsorships runs to an annualized $4 million to $6 million. Pre-rolls come in at about a $20 CPM. AOL CEO's Employment Contract Is Extended Hollywood Reporter AOL has extended its employment agreement with CEO Tim Armstrong through March 28, 2016. His previous deal was set to expire April 7. "We are continuing to work on the comeback of AOL and have a plan that is beneficial for employees, customers and shareholders." Yahoo Said to Lay Off Thousands, Restructure AllThingsD Yahoo is said to be preparing to begin layoffs of what could be thousands of employees this week, which is expected to be followed by a new restructuring of the company. The Internet company is expected to put a new focus on media and advertising. Groupon Admits Internal Controls 'Weakness' Chicago Tribune Groupon has released revised financial results for the fourth quarter and 2011 fiscal year, showing a $14.3 million decrease in fourth-quarter revenue and a $0.04 reduction in earnings per share. The company acknowledged "a weakness in its internal controls." Rovio's 'Angry Birds' Coming to TV This Year New York Post "Angry Birds," the hit mobile game, is going to become a TV show. "We're going to roll out a weekly animation series," said Rovio exec Nick Dorra. The series will be on TV, as well as devices like mobile phones and iPads. "We want to be on all screens." Apple Founder Portrayed by Kutcher in Indie Film Variety The King of Twitter is now the King of Apple. Ashton Kutcher has been cast to play Steve Jobs in the independent film "Jobs," to be directed by Joshua Michael Stern. Separately, Sony Pictures is developing its own Steve Jobs film, based on the book by Walter Isaacson. Business Insider Hires Chief Revenue Officer Advertising Age Business Insider has brought on its first chief revenue officer, former Federated Media CMO Pete Spande. The business news website will likely add sales positions in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago throughout 2012, Spande said. HuffPost Triumphs in Unpaid Bloggers Lawsuit Associated Press The Huffington Post doesn't have to pay bloggers for providing content for its website in part because they knew from the start they wouldn't be paid and could have taken their work elsewhere, a federal judge has ruled. A lawsuit bloggers filed last year has been dismissed. Google to Open Online Store for Selling Tablets Wall Street Journal Google plans to sell co-branded tablet computers through an online store like rivals Apple and Amazon. The move is an effort to turn around sluggish sales of tablets powered by its Android software. Google believes the current model for selling tablets is "broken." Hulu Expands Subscription Service via Tablets CNET Hulu Plus, the subscription video service chasing Netflix, has announced that it is now available on seven Android tablets, including Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Motorola Xoom and Toshiba Thrive. The company also rolled out a new Hulu Plus app on Android. Verizon Eyes Mobile Video Service by Year-End Wall Street Journal Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam said the company could have a wireless video service by year-end that lets pay-TV subscribers see content on their mobile devices, if regulators approve a proposed cable partnership. "We could have something out in time for the holidays." Millennial Media IPO Creates Instant Millionaires Baltimore Business Millennial Media's top execs became instant millionaires following the mobile advertising company's initial public offering. Shares opened at $13 apiece and nearly doubled to $25.20 as of noon Thursday. CEO and co-founder Paul Palmieri's net worth "soared." LivingSocial Chief Leaves Daily-Deals Company Washington Business LivingSocial co-founder Eddie Frederick is leaving the company to pursue "new challenges and adventures." Frederick has served as president and holds a seat on the company's board of directors. Frederick is leaving LivingSocial on "favorable terms." AOL, BermanBraun Launch 'Mandatory' Men's Site Adweek AOL and BermanBraun are bringing back man — at least that's the tagline for the duo's newly launched men's lifestyle website Mandatory. The site will serve up "what men need to know, what they need to try, what they need to see," said AOL head Tim Armstrong. Google Unveils Revenue Option for Publishers Adweek Google is rolling out a new product to help publishers make money online. When users visit the websites of partners like the New York Daily News, they will find some articles partially blocked. If they want to continue reading, they will have to answer a single marketing question. Facebook Targets May for Initial Public Offering New York Post Facebook is preparing its initial public offering for May, according to people familiar with the matter, in what is shaping up to be the largest-ever U.S. internet offering. The social network halted trading of its shares on the secondary market this week. Apple CEO Visits Controversial iPhone Plant Reuters Apple's Tim Cook, on his first trip to China as CEO, has visited an iPhone production plant run by the Foxconn Technology Group, which is being accused of improper labor practices. Apple's growth in China is clouded by its treatment of local labor, among other issues. YouTube Eyes MTV Model in Vlogger Search Atlantic Wire YouTube, following its path as the MTV of the internet, has started something called the "Next Vlogger" initiative, which sounds much like the music channel's "Wanna Be a VJ" contests. YouTube plans to hand-pick the future stars of its channel from the masses. Slashdot News Site Starts Tech Video Offering WebProNews Slashdot, the tech-related news site owned by Geeknet, has announced the launch of SlashdotTV, its first business-to-business video channel. SlashdotTV will offer access to "a wide library of video content surrounding its community of IT influencers." LivingSocial to Launch Food Delivery Service Associated Press Online deals site LivingSocial is unveiling an Internet food-ordering service, aptly called "Takeout & Delivery." Hungry customers will be able to use it to order tacos, burgers or Pad Thai from participating restaurants over the Internet for pickup or delivery. Google Exec Predicts Changes to Search Engine Huffington Post Over the next two decades Google's search engine will attempt to refine its ability to "predict and suggest" answers for its users, perhaps before they've even asked a question, said exec Marissa Mayer. "Can we predict what restaurants you'll like when you're in a new city? AOL Patent Portfolio Sale May Yield $290 Million Bloomberg AOL's patents would be valued at about $290 million in a sale, less than a third of the amount that shareholder Starboard Value has estimated it could generate, according to patent-advisory firm M-Cam. "Most of AOL's patents are not commercially viable, or junk grade." Yahoo: Third Point CEO Continues Board Fight Reuters Daniel Loeb, CEO of hedge fund Third Point, said he will continue to push to revamp Yahoo's board of directors following the company's decision to reject him as a board member. Loeb is accusing Yahoo of "making a mockery" of sound corporate governance principles. HuffPost Co-Founder Preps Video News Start-Up AllThingsD Ken Lerer, co-founder of the Huffington Post, is working on another web start-up. According to people who have heard his pitch, Lerer aims to create a digital video news operation that will attract a generation of web natives who watch Jon Stewart but not CNN or Fox News. 'Harry Potter' E-Books Go On Sale on Pottermore Wall Street Journal "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling has begun selling digital editions of her seven Potter novels through the website Pottermore. The titles are accessible on e-readers, tablets, personal computers and mobile phones. Rowling's books have sold some 450 million copies. Pinterest: Obama Joins Social Scrapbook Site VentureBeat President Obama is now sharing his collection of favorite politically themed things and family recipes on Pinterest. The president's Pinterest page is run by his "Obama for America" campaign staff and has eight boards, 32 pins and more than 1,150 followers. Microsoft: Entertainment Bests Games on Xbox Ars Technica Microsoft has succeeded in its efforts to transform the Xbox 360 from a video-game system to a bona-fide general purpose living room set-top box. Time spent on general "entertainment" use of Xbox Live has officially surpassed time spent on multiplayer gaming. Google Expected to Launch $150 Tablet Device New York Post Tech watchers expect Google to roll out an entry-level handheld device this year that could sell for as little as $150. It wasn't lost on Google that Amazon's $199 Kindle Fire was the only slate to grab a sizeable chunk of the market beyond Apple's iPad last year. Report: iPad Users Spend on Print Media Brands Business Insider According to a new report from analytics firm Distimo, iPad users are spending $70,000 a day in the newsstand, which is where Apple keeps newspapers and magazines. The most popular news apps come from the New York Times, The Daily and the New Yorker. Microsoft Xbox Live to add Comcast, HBO Go GigaOM The next update to Microsoft's XBox Live service, slated for Tuesday, is said to include long-awaited applications from Comcast's video-on-demand service and HBO Go. Microsoft has staggered updates of its content partners' software over the last several months. Napster Founders Reunite to Make Video Social Telegraph Napster founders Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning have started hiring developers to create their latest venture, Airtime, which aims to make video chatting "social." Six months since it was first mentioned, many details about the new venture remain scant. Facebook: Emails Prove Man's Claim is 'Fraud' Reuters Facebook has urged a judge to throw out a lawsuit by Paul Ceglia, who said he deserves half of founder Mark Zuckerberg's stake in the social network. Newly released emails dating back to Zuckerberg's days at Harvard University "prove Ceglia is a fraud." Amazon to Launch Three New Kindle Tablets Next Web Online retail giant Amazon is set to expand its Kindle tablet range with the launch of three new models in 2012, debuting two new 7-inch devices and an 8.9-inch tablet that target low, medium and high-end markets. The three models are said to offer varying resolutions. Yahoo Names Media Vet Among New Directors AllThingsD Yahoo has named three new directors, in a direct strike back at activist shareholder Dan Loeb and his nominees. The appointments include Discovery and Fox Broadcasting veteran Peter Liguori, American Express's John Hayes and IAC outgoing CFO Tom McInerney. Apple CEO Eyes Investments in Trip to China Bloomberg Apple said it plans "greater investment" in China as CEO Tim Cook visited the capital of the world's most populous country. Cook had "great meetings" with Chinese officials, said a spokeswoman. "China is very important to us and we look forward to growth here." Twitter, Facebook Spread News of Trayvon New York Times It was not until mid-March, after word spread on Facebook and Twitter, that the shooting of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was widely reported by the national news media, highlighting the complex ways that news does and does not travel in the Internet age. Facebook Asserts Trademark on Word 'Book' Ars Technica Facebook is trying to expand its trademark rights over the word "book" by adding the claim to a newly revised version of its statement of rights. The social network has launched multiple lawsuits against websites incorporating the word "book" into their names. Pinterest to Address Copyright Infringement Boston Herald Pinterest plans to update its terms of use in an apparent effort to fend off legal concerns about copyright infringement. The news comes amid questions about the website's often unwitting use of copyrighted material as its users share recipes, artwork and more. Groupon Adds FeeFighters in Buying Spree Chicago Tribune Groupon has acquired FeeFighters, a Chicago-based startup whose website provides online payment services and comparison shopping for credit-card processors. Groupon has been on an acquisition spree, buying up smaller tech companies in a number of fields. Bitly Reveals Popular Online News Outlets Forbes Oregonians love NPR; Wisconsinites adore the Onion; and the Huffington Post is widely read in Appalachia. These are a few of the favorites that the data professionals at Bitly uncovered when they parsed data from millions of clicks on their shortened links. AOL to Sell Patents Seeking a 'Life Preserver' Bloomberg AOL has hired Evercore Partners to find a buyer for its more than 800 patents. The company is exploring the options amid slow advertising growth and a decline in dial-up subscribers. AOL's revenue has dropped 29% since its 2009 spinoff from Time Warner. YouTube Restricts Viewing of Madonna Video New York Post Madonna's new video for "Girl Gone Wild" has been banned from open view on YouTube for being too steamy. YouTube wants the star to edit out certain scenes to allow viewing for those under age 18. "This is a throwback to when MTV refused to show 'Justify My Love.' " Google Mulls Movie Sales via Handheld Devices CNET News Google is said to have spoken to film studios about offering Android users the option to buy titles. Google Play, formerly known as Android Market, only rents movies now, but the company has shown an interest in giving handheld owners the option to buy. Report: Online Film Viewing to Top Discs in 2012 Bloomberg Online movie viewing in the United States will exceed digital video disc and Blu-ray use for the first time this year, according to researcher IHS Screen Digest. "We are looking at the beginning of the end of the age of movies on physical media like DVD and Blu-ray." Netflix in Talks to Offer ABC Drama 'The River' Deadline Netflix, already in talks about possibly picking up the recently canceled Fox series "Terra Nova," may also be eyeing another freshman drama facing cancellation: ABC's "The River." The streaming giant has had conversations with ABC Studios about the series. TiVo, Microsoft Agree to Dismiss Patent Suits Dow Jones TiVo and Microsoft have agreed to dismiss their patent litigation against each other, after TiVo's settlement with Microsoft partner AT&T eliminated the motivation for the suits. Microsoft first sued TiVo in 2010 as part of a broader attempt to provide legal cover for AT&T. 'Angry Birds Space' Flies to Top of the App Store Inside Mobile Apps Rovio's "Angry Birds Space" hit the top of the App Store charts in more than 28 countries only a few hours after its debut. The game, costing 99 cents on iPhone and $2.99 on the iPad, ranks as the No. 1 paid and No. 1 top-grossing app in dozens of countries. Yahoo Faces Board Challenge from Third Point Reuters Activist hedge fund Third Point has filed a proxy statement with regulators seeking to install its own directors on Yahoo's board after criticizing the Internet company's recent appointees. Third Point is nominating four directors, including former NBC head Jeff Zucker. Netflix Plans to Stream Original Horror Program San Francisco Business Netflix will run a horror series called "Hemlock Grove" next year as part of its experiments with original programming. The company will start streaming the series, created by Eli Roth, early in 2013. Actors Famke Janssen and Bill Skarsgard will star in the show. Vevo Music Video Site Mulls Subscription Model Marketing Week Vevo CEO Rio Caraeff said that his company is exploring the deployment of a subscription model, as it looks for more ways to monetize its music video service. Vevo currently operates on a purely ad-funded model. But one revenue stream "is not healthy for any business." Yahoo to Debut Movie by Creator of CBS Series Associated Press "CSI" creator Anthony Zuiker is making a movie, "Cybergeddon," to run on Yahoo in installments this fall. His latest foray online follows his partnership on a series for YouTube. It also marks Yahoo's second stab at tapping Hollywood talent to create original online video. BuzzFeed Adds New Verticals for Women, Sports New York Observer BuzzFeed has added two verticals, one for women and one for sports. The women's vertical, Shift, includes daily-deal roundups and Q&As with powerful women. The sports vertical, called Sports, will use social media to make characters out of players and live-blog games. AOL Eyes Ad Tech to Take On Yahoo, Google Advertising Age AOL is set to release a technology that allows advertisers to bid in real-time on audiences across its properties and on big ad exchanges at Yahoo and Google. The offering, called AdLearn Open Platform, is built off of technology from AOL's Ad.com. Internet to Be 'World's 5th Biggest Economy' San Jose Business If the Internet was a country, its gross domestic product would eclipse all others but four within four years, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group. Among other findings: More than two-thirds of Americans would go without coffee for a year to stay online. Twitter Adds Promoted Tweets to Mobile Apps ClickZ News Twitter has announced that Promoted Tweets will be appearing in the timelines of mobile app users, even if they don't follow that brand advertiser. The tech firm has been testing the broader-reach feature on user segments during the last three weeks. Elevation Partners Eyes $1 Billion for New Fund Reuters Elevation Partners, the private equity group co-founded by rock star Bono, is said to have approached investors seeking $1 billion for its second fund, buoyed by its success with investments in Facebook and Yelp. Elevation invests in media, entertainment and technology. Apple iPad: Video Eats Up Monthly Data Plans Wall Street Journal Some users of Apple's new iPad are finding a drawback to the device's blazing fast connection: They burn through their data limits in as little as a day. "It streams really fast video, but by streaming really fast video you tend to watch more video, and that's not always best." Apple Says New iPad Sales Already Top 3 Million MarketWatch Apple said it has sold about 3 million units of the new iPad since its initial launch on Friday. The company sold more than 40 million iPad units in 2011, and several analysts said they expect the number to top 60 million for the current calendar year. FAA May Loosen Rules on In-Flight Device Use Associated Press The U.S. government is taking a step toward making it easier for airlines to allow passengers to use tablets, e-readers and music players during takeoffs and landings. Consumer demand to use personal electronics at all times on board planes has been increasing. NYC Computer Kiosks May Replace Pay Phones NY1 Pacific Telemanagement, which owns thousands of public pay phones across New York City, plans to replace them with Internet-connected computer kiosks with 22-inch touchscreens. The goal is for the Internet to be free, paid for by advertisements in the kiosks. Google to Host Free Sites for Small Businesses Puget Sound Business A new initiative from Google will provide a free website and hosting services for one year through a partnership with Intuit website-building software. Google is launching the service across the United States, marketing to each state individually. Yahoo, Fandango Partner to Sell Movie Tickets Next Web One of Yahoo's hottest media properties is its Movie section, which includes showtimes, reviews and trailers. The only thing the site has been missing is the ability to sell tickets. Yahoo has fixed that by entering a new partnership with Fandango. Vimeo Video Site Names AOL Veteran as CEO AllThingsD Earlier this year, video site Vimeo showed off a new look. Now it has a new CEO: Kerry Trainor, who is leaving his job overseeing AOL's entertainment and video properties. Trainor replaces Dae Mellencamp, who has been running the site since 2009. Thrillist Names Hachette Veteran as President Business Insider Men's lifestyle company Thrillist is naming Philippe Guelton as its first-ever president. Guelton will oversee content, consumer facing technology and more. Guelton is an angel investor and a former top exec with Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. AOL Preps New iPad Magazine Called 'Huffington' Forbes Editors at the Huffington Post Media Group are moving forward with plans for a new digital magazine called Huffington, created expressly for the iPad and other tablets. Like The Daily, News Corp.'s tablet newspaper, Huffington will take the form of an app. Breitbart Website to Announce New Management Politico Steve Bannon, formerly a board member at Breitbart News Network, has been appointed executive chairman, while Laurence Solov, formerly president and COO, will take over the CEO role held by Andrew Breitbart, who died suddenly earlier this month. Groupon Launches Scheduler Online Calendar AllThingsD Groupon is rolling out Groupon Scheduler, an online calendar that enables small businesses to book appointments online. The service is based on technology Groupon acquired from OpenCal in September. The calendar operates much like Google's Calendar. Apple Reveals Plans for $100 Billion Cash Hoard AllThingsD Apple didn't wait until its earnings call Monday morning to disclose plans for its $100 billion cash pile: The company announced it will start cutting dividend checks, and will buy back some of its shares as well. Total bill: About $45 billion over the next three years. YouTube Plans More Investment in 'Channels' Advertising Age YouTube's $100 million investment in new premium "channels"? Consider it a down payment. According to content chief Robert Kyncl, it's just the beginning of Google's plan to back original content, and the center of a strategy to build next-gen entertainment brands. Hulu Ranks as Top Online Video Ad Destination Next Web Americans viewed some 7.5 billion video ads in February, according to new figures from comScore, and it's a segment in which Hulu has been breaking records. In February, the video site streamed a whopping 1.5 billion ads, making it the top U.S. video ad property. Aereo Seen Likely to Lose Suit by TV Networks MarketWatch Barry Diller's Aereo online broadcast-TV streaming service will probably be the loser in a court battle with the owners of TV networks, according to Moody's. If Aereo were to beat the odds and succeed, others would join the fray, further undercutting the traditional business model. DramaFever Nabs $4.5 Million for Online Video VatorNews DramaFever, a New York-based streaming video service with a focus on Asian content, said it has secured $4.5 million in new funding. Initially backed by YouTube co-founder Steven Chen and Google exec Benjamin Ling, DramaFever operates on a "freemium" model. 'Angry Birds' Eyes New Entertainment Franchise New York Post "Angry Birds Space," the latest edition of the hit game for mobile devices, is due out Thursday. The debut is part of a massive multimedia rollout, including toys, books and a cartoon on Nickelodeon. "We're looking at this as the launching of an entertainment franchise." Foursquare, Thrillist Housed at 'Digital Central' Crain's New York 568 Broadway has become a microcosm of New York's burgeoning startup scene, where young entrepreneurs are hiring engineers, salespeople and creative staffers as fast as they can. The Prince Building is home to Foursquare, Thrillist, ZocDoc and 10gen. Pinterest, Zynga: A Tech Ceiling for Women? The Daily Many new tech startups have no women on their boards, even though the majority of social network users are women. Roughly 60% of Facebook users and 65% of Twitter users are female — but not one has a female director. Nor does Pinterest, Zynga or even Angie's List. Apple Stock Tops $600 as New iPad Arrives San Francisco Chronicle Apple's stock briefly topped $600 for the first time, just before the new iPad went on sale. Analysts expect the company to sell as many as 3 million units this weekend, breaking records for the 2-year-old tablet. Apple is now uncontested as the world's most valuable company. Youtoo Attracts Investment from Mark Burnett socalTECH Mark Burnett, the reality show producer, is taking an ownership stake in Youtoo, a start-up that allows viewers to upload videos of themselves and then incorporates those videos into live TV. Burnett plans to integrate YouToo technology into the series he produces. BermanBraun Acquires Most of Whiskey Media AllThingsD Silicon Valley exec Shelby Bonnie is selling his social publishing start-up, Whiskey Media, to BermanBraun. The interactive production outfit will get three of Whiskey's key websites. Two other sites owned by Whiskey are said to have been sold to CBS Interactive. Hulu Refreshes Design with Larger Video Player VentureBeat Hulu is rolling out an update to its website user interface, increasing the size of its video player by 55%. In addition, the site is implementing a number of design changes to emphasize the content. Show details are being moved underneath the video player. Netflix Brings 'TEDTalks Shows' to Streaming Next Web Netflix plans to offer "TEDTalks Shows" for its streaming members in certain markets. While the annual TED Conference is invite-only and costs a $7,500 to attend, Netflix will offer a selection of TED talks to subscribers of its $7.99 per month service. Twitter: Some User Accounts Make Big Bucks SmartMoney Some Twitter users are managing to make small fortunes off the site. Humor accounts do a bumper business: "It's possible to have 500,000 followers and make a six-figure income." The founder of @menshumor charges $350 per sponsored tweet or four for $1,000. Google Hires Founder of News-Aggregator Digg AllThingsD Digg founder Kevin Rose is said to have been hired by Google. Rose's mobile app incubator Milk announced it was shutting down its only product, Oink. Google is not outright buying or "acqhiring" Milk, but Rose and others from the company "have been hired." Yahoo Board Battle May Begin Within Next Week Associated Press A potentially nasty battle to reshape Yahoo's board of directors will begin within the next week unless the Internet company submits to the demands of a major shareholder. Third Point, a hedge fund that owns a 5.8% stake, has issued an ultimatum to CEO Scott Thompson. AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo Kick Off Display Ad Deal ClickZ News The ménage à trois in display advertising among Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL has started on schedule. The three companies are now offering one another's unsold inventory. The deal's architects hope ad buyers will view the new marketplace as the first stop for brand campaigns. Aereo Launches in New York Despite Lawsuits Wired Aereo has launched despite lawsuits alleging that the Barry Diller-backed company is violating the copyrights of broadcasters. The start-up aims to rock the TV world by renting remote high-def antennas that allow users to watch and record broadcasts via a web browser. WebMD Under Investor Pressure to Name a CEO New York Post WebMD, whose shares have lost more than half their value in the past year, is under pressure to find a new CEO as it struggles with an advertising slump and with rivals growing at its expense. The health site is also feeling the heat from activist investor Carl Icahn. Google's Entertainment Strategy Seen In Disarray CNET News Google Music no longer exists as a standalone service. Google TV was dead on arrival. YouTube's video-rental service is an also-ran, and the site may lose music videos next year. Google's misfires illustrate just how hard it is to become a major media player. AOL CEO Defends Strategy Amid 'Constant Drama' Wall Street Journal Facing a proxy battle that could shake up his board, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong is vigorously defending his strategy, noting that there is a "huge misunderstanding" stemming from the now-unwound merger with Time Warner. AOL "seems to be in a cycle of constant drama." Yahoo in Bid to Recruit Thousands of Paid Writers Press Gazette Yahoo UK plans to create thousands of news editorial contributors to the website. The Yahoo contributor network will see writers paid around 70 pence per 1,000 clicks. While up-front payments are "relatively small," home-page articles could get "millions" of hits. Myspace to Run Scripted Series from Fox Digital Billboard Fox Digital Entertainment and Myspace are announcing a scripted web series starring Andrew W.K. that is designed to expose bands to larger audiences in a setting not seen in other media. "Let's Big Happy" will launch March 28, sponsored by Taco Bell. Groupon Offers $12,500 Trip to Titanic with Expedia Chicago Tribune Groupon is offering a $12,500 vacation package that includes a tour of the Titanic's shipwreck site in a deep-ocean vessel. The daily-deals site is offering the deal, valued at $59,680, through its Getaways partnership with Expedia. Just one unit is available. Survey: Women Trust Pinterest More Than Facebook Adweek According to BlogHer's annual study on women and social media, when asked whether they trusted different social media sources, 81% of U.S. women said they trusted blogs and Pinterest, while 67% said they trusted Facebook and 73% said they trusted Twitter. TheStreet Names New Editor After CEO Appointment TalkingBizNews William Inman, former editor in chief of Institutional Investor magazine, has been named the editor in chief of TheStreet.com. He replaces Glenn Hall, who joined TheStreet in June 2008. The change comes less than a week after the company named a new CEO, Elisabeth DeMarse. Diller-Backed Aereo Countersues Broadcasters Reuters Aereo, an online television service backed by Barry Diller that is preparing to launch on Wednesday, filed a countersuit against broadcasters seeking to stop the retransmission of their programming. Broadcasters have filed lawsuits seeking to stop Aereo. Intel Developing an Internet-Based TV Service Wall Street Journal Intel is developing an Internet-based television service that it hopes to sell to U.S. consumers, a strategic shift by the chip maker as it eyes the pay-TV business. Intel has for several months been pitching media companies on a plan to create a "virtual cable operator." Netflix Downplays Cable Distribution Speculation Los Angeles Times Netflix is downplaying reports that it is planning to create a cable distribution platform and there seems to be little, if any, interest in carrying such a service from big distributors including Comcast and DirecTV. Cable and satellite broadcasters view Netflix as a rival. Yahoo, Vuguru Partner on Original Scripted Shows TheWrap Vuguru is partnering with Yahoo to develop and finance scripted shows. The deal comes as Yahoo has been aggressively ramping up its digital video operations. The portal has launched reality shows, scripted series and animated shows in recent months. Facebook 'Puzzled' by Yahoo Suit Over Patents Associated Press Yahoo is suing Facebook, just weeks before the social-networking giant is due to cash in with its IPO. Yahoo claims Facebook infringed 10 patents covering advertising, privacy controls and social networking. Facebook describes the action as "puzzling." Twitter Acquires Web Video, Photo Sharing Site Bloomberg Twitter has acquired Posterous, a website that specializes in online photo and video sharing. "Today we are welcoming a very talented group from Posterous to Twitter," the microblogging service said in a blog posting. "This team has built an innovative product." SB Nation Owner Vox Media Raises $17 Million Next Web Online media publisher Vox Media, which owns the fast-growing tech news site The Verge and the sports blog network SB Nation, has secured $17 million in a financing round that could end up totaling just south of $17.5 million. Actor Ashton Kutcher is an advisor. E-Book Publishers Must Make Changes, EU Says Bloomberg Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster and other publishers probed by European Union need to address regulatory concerns before they can settle the antitrust case, the EU's competition commissioner said. "We have an interest to avoid collusive practices." Diller Sees Aereo TV Service Coming to 100 Cities Bloomberg Aereo, a service that lets users access broadcast TV on mobile devices, aims to expand rapidly after its launch this week. Aereo, backed by IAC/InteractiveCorp, is facing efforts by broadcast networks to stop it. "It's going to be a great fight," said IAC chief Barry Diller. Netflix Quietly Tests TV Network-Branded Pages Advertising Age Netflix has been careful to describe itself as a complement to cable distributors. But as it quietly tests TV network-branded pages in what appears to be an effort to give content partners more visibility, it risks positioning itself as a substitute for cable packages. Hulu Signs Global First-Look Deal with Fremantle TheWrap Hulu has signed a first-look, international distribution deal with FremantleMedia. The new pact comes as the video streaming site has begun to ramp up its own original programming. The first show Fremantle will distribute is Morgan Spurlock's "A Day in the Life." YouTube Finds a Way Off Schools' Banned List New York Times Schools across the country commonly block access to YouTube. So Google started YouTube for Schools, offering access to only the videos schools want, linked only to other educational videos. In response, schools have begun taking down some of the barriers. Yahoo Eyes More TV Partners as Layoffs Loom Advertising Age Amid speculation about layoffs that could run as high as 1,000, Yahoo is pushing further into video programming and discussing partnerships with TV networks beyond its current deal with ABC News. Yahoo aims to collaborate on co-branded video series beyond news. AOL Faces Activist Shareholder, Up to 40 Layoffs AllThingsD AOL is said to be planning to lay off as many as 40 employees, with the cuts mostly in its instant-messaging and e-mail units. The company is now facing a challenge from an activist shareholder, one of the reasons for a renewed focus on cost-cutting. Huffington Warns of 'Fetishization' of Social Media Huffington Post The fetishization of social media has reached idol-worshipping proportions, according to Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post. "Trending on Twitter may not mean much of anything at all, except what dominates the conversation at that particular moment." Gawker to Deputize Commenters in New Model AllThingsD Gawker plans to launch a new commenting model, said founder Nick Denton. The company aims to recruit commenters to elevate the level of discussion by giving them moderation tools. The goal is to attract people like NBC's Brian Williams to chime in themselves. Twitter's Leaked Financials Are 'Not Encouraging' Gawker Twitter has been spinning a turnaround story in the press lately. The company "has turned a corner," declared a recent Businessweek cover story. But a source with knowledge of Twitter's financials has leaked revenue, profit and other figures that are "not encouraging." Monster CEO: Our Business Model Isn't in Danger Bloomberg Monster Worldwide CEO Sal Iannuzzi said his remarks about the online-recruiting service's pursuit of strategic alternatives have received "positive attention" and the business model isn't in danger. Monster has hired bankers to review its strategy. Apple Says Preorders for New iPad Have Sold Out New York Post Apple said that supplies of the new iPad tablet it had set aside for preorders have sold out, and that the only way customers will be able to buy one when it is released on March 16 will be through an company retail store or through one of its authorized resellers. Netflix in Talks with Hollywood to Secure Movies Financial Times Netflix is negotiating with several Hollywood studios to carve out films from long-term contracts they have with pay-TV operators such as Time Warner's HBO, as competition heats between established channels and new "over-the-top" content providers. Vevo Rolls Out 'Bigger, Smarter, Faster' Redesign Next Web Vevo is rolling out an entirely new version of the music-video site, described as "bigger, smarter and faster" than ever. From today, Vevo will be a "personalized, social, long-play viewing experience," said Michael Cerda, who joined as product head in August. Study: Pinterest Bests Twitter in Referral Traffic TechCrunch A new study by online sharing tool Shareaholic has found that Pinterest now drives more referral traffic than Twitter. The data is based on analytics from 200,000 publishers. Pinterest's edge over the microblogging service is seen as "particularly significant." Reddit Names Facebook, PayPal Veteran as CEO Forbes Reddit has chosen Yishan Wong to fill the online community's top spot. Wong has worked as a software engineer at Facebook and an engineering manager at PayPal. Reddit began head-hunting for a CEO after breaking away from Conde Nast last September. Gawker Founder Mulls Launch of Art & Culture Site NBC Rock Center The eight websites that make up Gawker Media have become "the envy of the Internet," according to a report by NBC's "Rock Center." The blog publisher's business is "getting better and better." Founder Nick Denton is now talking about an art and culture site. Study: Women, Well-Educated Rule the Blogosphere WebProNews A new study released by NM Incite, a Nielsen/McKinsey company, reveals that women make up the majority of bloggers. In addition, 1 in 3 bloggers are mothers, and 52% of bloggers are parents with children under the age of 18 living in their household. SXSW Conference Lures New York Media Professionals Capital New York This year's South by Southwest Conference in Austin, Texas, is attracting many media professionals from New York. The New York Times is sending a "formidable fleet," including top editor Jill Abramson. Conde Nast is likewise offering up a full slate of speakers. Apple, Publishers Warned Over Pricing of E-Books Wall Street Journal The Justice Department has warned Apple and five of the biggest U.S. publishers that it plans to sue them for allegedly colluding to raise the price of electronic books. The publishers include Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Penguin, Macmillan and HarperCollins. Yahoo Activist Investor Charts Revitalization Plan New York Times Daniel Loeb has amassed a 6% stake in Yahoo, and he intends to propose a slate of four directors, including himself, at the struggling company's annual meeting. Loeb wants Yahoo to focus on search ads and to develop a social community and a robust video platform. Google Leans on Developers to Use Payment Service Reuters Google is said to be pressuring app and mobile game developers to use its costlier in-house payment service, Google Wallet. The move suggests that the Internet giant is using its powerful position in the mobile apps market to promote an in-house offering. Facebook Co-Founder Buys New Republic Magazine New York Times The newest owner of The New Republic magazine is Chris Hughes, a new-media guru who co-founded Facebook. Hughes's purchase of a majority stake in the magazine of politics and the arts will be announced on Friday. Hughes, 28, will become publisher and editor in chief. Yahoo-ABC Becomes Top Online News Source Press Release Online news "has a new leader." ABC News and Yahoo News reached a total audience of over 89 million people in the first month since they combined traffic as the Yahoo – ABC News Network. The new network beat CNN by 51% and AOL/Huffington Post by 56%. AOL Patch News Network Fires Sales Employees Business Insider AOL's Patch local news network of blogs is said to be letting go sales people, due to "underperformance." Patch PR and president Warren Webster refused to comment on the number. The firings come after the experiment lost some $150 million last year. Google Play Eyes Magazines for Future Offerings TechCrunch Google's new Google Play consolidates all of the Internet giant's apps, music, movies and e-books into one portal. But it appears that Google's ambitions won't stop there. In Google Play's help center, empty pages titled "Magazines and journals" have appeared. TheStreet Nabs Newser Aggregator Exec as CEO TheStreet TheStreet has named Elisabeth DeMarse as CEO and president of the financial news company. She succeeds Daryl Otte, who had announced plans to step down as CEO by the end of March. DeMarse most recently served as CEO of Newser, the online news aggregator. Google Gets a Green Light for Video Services Kansas City Business Google has won the go-ahead to provide video services in Kansas City. The Missouri Public Service Commission has granted the Internet giant the authority to build a video service network along public rights of way. Google said it is still exploring product offerings. Netflix Eyes Picking Up Canceled 'Terra Nova' Hollywood Reporter Twentieth Century Fox Television has been scrambling to find a new home for "Terra Nova," after Fox canceled the pricey dinosaur drama. At least one potential buyer has expressed interest. Netflix is said to be considering reviving the series for the streaming service. Apple Announces New iPad, Updates Apple TV MSNBC Apple has unveiled "the new iPad," boasting a display that will be even sharper than high-definition TV sets. The new device will have the same pricing as before, starting at $499. The tech giant is also updating the Apple TV with an all-new user interface, still costing $99. Funny or Die Launches iPad Magazine Spinoff Variety After five years of distributing its comedy for free online, Funny or Die is launching an iPad app to get paid. The comedy video site co-founded by Will Ferrell is spinning off a new digital magazine, dubbed the Occasional, strictly for Apple's tablet, at $1.99 per issue. Wal-Mart Teams with Movie Studios for Online Bloomberg Wal-Mart has set a March 13 announcement with five movie studios, a sign the world's biggest retailer plans to join Ultraviolet, Hollywood's web-based movie-storage initiative. Support from Wal-Mart would mark an advance for the studios' efforts to reignite movie sales. Anonymous Hackers Take Down Vatican Website AFP The hacking group Anonymous took down the Vatican website on Wednesday, saying it was targeting the "corrupt" Catholic Church, a day after a high-profile bust of the group's alleged leaders. "This attack is not against the Christian religion," the hackers said. SXSW: Media Convergence Is Annual Buzz Word Associated Press Increasingly, the media zoo that is SXSW looks more like today's overlapping media world. As tech and media types descend on Austin, Texas, for the annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival, kicking off Friday, media forms, too, are diverging. Amazon Hire Suggests Move Into Original TV Fortune Netflix, Hulu and YouTube are all betting big on original content. Now, Amazon may be doing the very same. On LinkedIn, a new exec with the tech giant briefly listed his title as VP of Original Television. His job title changed moments after a request for details. Netflix CEO in Talks for Partnership with Cable Reuters Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has quietly met with some of the largest U.S. cable companies to discuss adding the online movie streaming service to their cable offerings. The talks could lead to Netflix becoming available as another on-demand option for cable subscribers. Google Launches Destination for Digital Media Los Angeles Times Google is creating a single destination for digital media called Google Play, putting books, music, movies and games all in one spot. The move to build an entertainment hub on par with Apple, Amazon and Microsoft will position the search giant as "a content provider." Google Looks to Disconnect Set-Top Business New York Post Google is looking to unload the set-top box business it will inherit from Motorola Mobility, even before it closes on the $12.5 billion acquisition. The move appears to be an about-face. Last August, CEO Larry Page suggested the business would play a role. Vevo Brings Music Videos to Xbox Live Service The Verge There's a new option for music video viewership: The new Xbox Live Vevo app, which is now live in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Ireland. The app allows users to search through 45,000 videos from 11,000 artists using Kinect motion and voice controls. Anonymous in Disarray After Major Crackdown CNNMoney Four leaders and one other activist have been arrested in the U.S. government's biggest crackdown on the hacktivist group known as "Anonymous." Also, the U.S. Department of Justice has snared the prime leader of the offshoot group called LulzSec. Groupon Expands VIP Program to More Markets Chicago Tribune Less than a month after launching its VIP program giving subscribers earlier access to daily deals, Groupon is expanding the service to Chicago; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Orange County, Calif. VIP membership costs $29.99 per year. AOL Among Advertisers Exiting Limbaugh Show Huffington Post AOL, parent of the Huffington Post, has joined other advertisers in pulling its money from Rush Limbaugh's radio show after his controversial remarks. "At AOL one of our core values is that we act with integrity. Limbaugh's comments are not in line with our values." Yahoo CEO Preps Major Restructuring, Layoffs AllThingsD Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson is said to be preparing a massive restructuring, including layoffs that are likely to number in the thousands. Much of the change — which could be announced by the end of this month — is aimed at Yahoo's products organization. Twitter User Growth Surges as Facebook Slows BtoB The number of Twitter users is accelerating in the United States, according to market research firm eMarketer. Meanwhile, Facebook's growth rate is showing a decline. Twitter's rate of growth will remain nearly four times higher than Facebook's through 2014. BuzzFeed Eyes Social Web with New Tech Blog New York Observer BuzzFeed has launched a tech blog called FWD. The new site "is a way to share things," said FWD editor Matt Buchanan, in his introduction post. "To pass them on. To nudge the conversation about technology in a different direction. Social is the web's new reality." Apple TV: 'Biggest Thing' Since the Smartphone 9to5Mac The television set being developed by Apple will be "the biggest thing in consumer electronics since the smartphone," said Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. The Apple iTV, expected out this fall, might be "just a sheet of glass — no edges or bezels." Groupon Cancels Offer for Jeffrey Dahmer Tour WebProNews Groupon ran a deal for its Milwaukee customers for a tour of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's crime scenes. The offer reportedly resulted in protests from local residents, including family members of some of Dahmer's victims. Groupon has pulled the deal. Facebook Eyes Music Site Vevo to Thwart Google New York Post Facebook's bid to land music-video hub Vevo could be just the boost it needs to beat back Google's ascent as leader in online display advertising. The social network appears eager to grab a slice of Vevo's ad dollars in graphical banners and video ads. Foursquare Co-Founder Selvadurai to Check Out CNET Naveen Selvadurai, who co-founded Foursquare with Dennis Crowley in 2008, said he is leaving the location-based social network. "I'm not sure about my next steps, but I'll probably get back to what I love most — being an entrepreneur, learning, and building new things." Yahoo, Fox in Digital Deals with Hollywood Stars Variety Yahoo has inked a deal to distribute the comedy series "Burning Love," from Paramount's Insurge Pictures and Ben Stiller. In a separate pact, Fox Digital Entertainment has licensed to both Netflix and Crackle the comedy series "The Ropes," from Vin Diesel. Huffington Post Entertainment Head to Depart AllThingsD Kerry Trainor, senior VP of entertainment at AOL's Huffington Post Media Group, is said to be leaving the company for another job. The former Yahoo exec came to AOL in mid-2010. There have been several prominent departures at the Internet company recently. AOL Plans Job Cuts at AIM Instant-Message Service Bloomberg Huffington Post owner AOL is said to be planning to cut "less than 100" jobs at its AIM instant-message service in Palo Alto, Calif. The company is also reported to be planning to eliminate hundreds of jobs next week, including at its Patch local Internet unit. Google Debate Series Attracts WikiLeaks Founder Next Web Google+ Hangouts plans a new series of debates called "Versus." The first debate, on the war on drugs, will feature figures such as Julian Assange, Richard Branson and Russell Brand. The debate will be moderated by BBC journalist Emily Maitlis. Twitter Aims to Become 'Part of the Media World' Bloomberg Businessweek Bloomberg Businessweek's new cover story delves into Twitter. The microblogging service, after five years of existence, appears to be turning into a viable business. Said CEO Dick Costolo: "We are building the company as a lasting part of the media world." Facebook Faces Challenges of Divergent Cultures Fortune Fortune magazine's new cover story goes inside Facebook: "Primary among its challenges are two divergent cultures, the one faithful to founder Mark Zuckerberg's hacker credo and the other shaped by COO Sheryl Sandberg's more corporate tendencies." Yelp Review Site to Raise $106.5 Million in IPO CNNMoney Reviews site Yelp has priced its initial public offering at $15, above the target set by the company. San Francisco-based Yelp said it was selling 7.1 million shares in the offering, so the company will raise about $106.5 million in the IPO. Yelp is not yet profitable. Monster Online Recruiter Seen as Takeover Target Bloomberg Monster Worldwide, the online recruiting service, gained the most in six months after CEO Salvatore Iannuzzi said he is considering "strategic alternatives" to boost investor value. "Our shareholders deserve a better return." Strategic alternatives could include a takeover. LivingSocial to Offer Credit Card to Subscribers Reuters LivingSocial, the second-largest daily deal company behind Groupon, plans to launch its first credit card in coming months to help merchants attract repeat customers. The card, with no annual fee, will be offered with Chase and Visa to all LivingSocial U.S. subscribers. Drudge, HuffPost Veteran Andrew Breitbart Dies Associated Press Conservative media publisher Andrew Breitbart has died at the age of 43. Breitbart's website Big Journalism announced he died of natural causes in Los Angeles early Thursday morning. Breitbart served as an editor for Drudge Report and helped launch the Huffington Post. Facebook Unveils New Ad Strategy Ahead of IPO San Jose Mercury News Facebook has announced plans to bring brand advertising to mobile devices and to sections of the world's biggest social network that have never carried ads before. The company describes its new brand pages as "the richest, most customizable marketing canvas." Google Expands Its Presence in New York City Wall Street Journal Google has dramatically expanded its presence in Manhattan in the past year, adding 750 people. The Internet giant now has about 2,750 employees in New York City. The Big Apple is a "major laboratory" for Google advertising technology, as well as ad sales and marketing. Yahoo to Create a 'Voice' at Biggest News Site Beet.TV Yahoo lacks a distinct identity, even though it is ranked as the biggest news site, according to Jai Singh, editor-in-chief of the company's media network. But that is going to change, he said, with the hiring of "brand" journalists and a reorganization of the site's pages. AOL Planning to Lay Off Hundreds Next Week Pando Daily AOL is said to be planning on laying off hundreds of employees in the coming week. "Some of the cuts will undoubtedly come from the bloated Patch division. AOL may disappoint Wall Street, and the company wants to have a story around cost cutting already in place." Yelp's IPO Puts Consumer Site in Front of Critics Bloomberg Yelp, the site that lets users review everything from diners to dentists, is about to face its own critics: investors. The company is holding its IPO this week, putting its business under the microscope as Google and Facebook push deeper into the local advertising market. Foursquare CEO Reveals Plan to Take On Yelp Digital Trends Foursquare CEO Dennis Crowley has laid out plans to take his company from a check-in and badge-earning social network into a recommendation engine that may compete with Yelp. Foursquare aims to predict users' future needs by analyzing and "recycling data." Netflix May Be Vexed by Time Warner Cable Plan Variety By making consumers mind their viewing time, Time Warner Cable's metered Internet billing plan could seriously undermine the subscription model employed by Netflix or Hulu Plus, which is predicated on offering all-you-can-stream rights for a monthly fee. Apple Throws Weight Around in TV Negotiations New York Post Apple harbors big TV ambitions, but it is having a tough time getting media companies to play along. The company is pushing ahead with plans to launch a streaming TV service by Christmas, despite making little headway in its negotiations with content providers. Activision Lays Off 600 From Videogame Division Dow Jones Activision Blizzard said it was cutting its work force by nearly a tenth, just as it is wrapping up development on one of its biggest games of the year. The cuts will occur in the Blizzard Entertainment unit, which runs the "World of Warcraft" online fantasy game franchise. Apple Expected to Unveil New iPad at Special Event CNNMoney Apple is expected to announce the iPad 3 at a "special event" in San Francisco on March 7. The company has sent emails to journalists, inviting them to the event. The invitation included a photo of an iPad, with the text: "We have something you really have to see. And touch." Facebook to Pitch Advertisers on a New Ad Model AllThingsD At Facebook's marketing event today, the company is expected to show off new ads for the social network's mobile apps, which had been ad-free. Facebook is also likely to unveil a change in the way ads show up in the social network, in an effort to make them more "social." Yahoo, Facebook in Tussle Over Intellectual Rights Associated Press With its own fortunes sinking, Yahoo is angling for a windfall from rising Internet star Facebook. Yahoo and Facebook are sparring over whether Facebook relies on some of the innovations that Yahoo has patented or acquired since it launched its website in 1994. Twitter Expanding Ad Program to Mobile Phones AllThingsD Twitter has expanded its advertising program to iPhone and Android handsets, as it gets more aggressive about ramping up revenue. The company will start showing its "Promoted Tweets" — its primary ad product, and its attempt to replicate Google's AdWords — on phones. Google Chief Sees Robots, Driverless Cars in Future Associated Press Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt has predicted that rapid advances in technology will soon transform science fiction into reality — meaning people will have self-driving cars and small robots at their command. "The web will be everything, but it will be nothing." AOL Eyes Women with Series Featuring Oprah, Hillary Bloomberg AOL, reaching for female viewers it sees as crucial to growth, has debuted a documentary series on feminism featuring Hillary Clinton, Sheryl Sandberg, Oprah Winfrey, Tavi Gevinson and others. "Women's content is a major strategic focus for us," said CEO Tim Armstrong. Perez Hilton to Host Celebrity Interview TV Specials Deadline The CW has picked up two episodes of "Perez Hilton Superfan," an unscripted series featuring the celebrity blogger getting close and personal each week with a different star, such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. The specials were commissioned by the U.K.'s ITV2. Facebook Users Are 'Defriending' More Than Ever TheStreet Users of Facebook and other social networks are finally starting to get the message that the stuff they post on the online can come back to haunt them. A study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that social network users are culling "friends" more than ever. Pinterest Social Network's Growth Driven by Women San Francisco Chronicle While Facebook has found success as a social network based on building a network of friends, Pinterest has carved a niche as a social network based on finding and sharing topics users are passionate about. "For me, it's the new Google," said one devotee. Google Preps Ad Exchange Direct Deals Marketplace Adweek Google will announce in April an ad exchange direct deals marketplace, the company's VP of new products and solutions Karim Temsamani said. The marketplace will be "an interface for publishers and buyers to execute fixed-price, fixed-inventory deals at scale." AOL Sees Exodus of Top Tech Execs, TechCrunch Editor New York AOL-Huffington Post has shed some important employees, including TechCrunch editor Erick Schonfeld. Also out is AOL CTO Alex Gounares, who moved over from Microsoft last May. Engineer Tim Dierks, who came on at HuffPost in September, is leaving as well. Groupon, LivingSocial Boost Magazine Subscriptions Advertising Age Daily-deal sites, such as Groupon, LivingSocial or Fab.com, are almost as helpful as tablets in the search for new subscribers, according to magazine publishers. The sites are a growing part of their digital-marketing strategies to boost print-subscription rates. Oscar Twitter, Facebook Metrics Smaller Than Grammys AllThingsD Social TV tracker Bluefin Labs counted 3.44 million "social comments" about last night's Academy Awards. The metric is much smaller than two other big live TV events this month: 12 million comments for the Super Bowl, and 13 million for the Grammy Awards. Livestream to Air PaleyFest Panels Live on the Web Associated Press The annual PaleyFest TV celebration is going live online. When the stars and creators of "American Horror Story," "Modern Family" and other TV series gather March 2-14 in Beverly Hills, their discussions will be streamed live for the first time by partner Livestream. Facebook: The Honeymoon May Be Over for Games Digital Trends While Facebook casual gaming has helped to triple the number of U.S. gamers in the past three years, the social gaming boom is beginning to slow down and may be maturing, according to market research company IHS iSuppli. "The honeymoon's over," IHS said. Google May Enter Tablet Market with 7-Inch Design CNET News Google is set to enter the tablet market with a 7-inch design this year, according to DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim. The Google-branded tablet will have a 1280 x 800 resolution display, he said. By comparison, the 7-inch Amazon Kindle Fire has a 1024 x 600 display. YouTube Channels Seek Big Bucks from Advertisers Advertising Age YouTube is asking advertisers as much as $62 million for exclusives on a package of "channels." The aggressive asking price reflects the ambition for YouTube's 96 premium "channels," designed to bring to the site TV-like appointment viewing, as well as TV-like ad dollars. Google to Sell Clearwire Stake at $453 Million Loss Dow Jones Google plans to sell its entire stake in Clearwire, the mobile broadband provider, at a loss of $453 million. Cable-company investors, including Comcast and Time Warner Cable, may also leave Clearwire as they appear to be retreating from offering wireless services. Facebook Spies on Text Messages of Phone Users Fox News Facebook admitted reading text messages belonging to smartphone users who downloaded the social-networking app and said that it was accessing the data as part of a trial to launch its own messaging service, according to a report in the Sunday Times of London. AOL Investor Seeks Board Shake-Up Over Strategy Wall Street Journal Activist investor Starboard Value is pushing to replace up to half of AOL's board, accusing the struggling online company of a "closed-minded" attitude toward alternative business ideas. Starboard nominated five people for election to AOL's board later this year. Social Media Poised for Big Night at the Oscars Wall Street Journal This year's Academy Awards broadcast on ABC may not set any ratings records, with its slate of small, arty movie nominees and old-school host Billy Crystal. But it could be a big night for Twitter and Facebook. ABC will have at least two people tweeting backstage. Twitter: Too Much Use Unhealthy, Founder Says Globe and Mail Twitter co-founder Biz Stone has a message for people who stare at their tweet feed for hours on end: It's not healthy. Stone, during a speech in Montreal, said he would prefer that users visit the social networking site frequently than sacrifice their life to it. Internet Giants Agree to Respect 'Do Not Track' UPI Major web companies have agreed to stop tracking users, if users request it, as part of a new U.S. consumer privacy bill of rights. Companies that deliver nearly 90% of online behavioral ads — including Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL — have agreed to comply. Facebook Scrambling for Ad Dollars, Firm Says San Francisco Business Facebook's advertising revenues are lagging, and the company is scrambling to pump up the numbers with more "intrusive" ad forms, according to research firm PrivCo. Leaked documents are said to show Facebook is behind budget for ad revenue. Google Music Adoption, Revenues Disappoint CNET News Google Music was supposed to have an inside track marketing music to the 200 million Android users, but performance three months after launching has disappointed. Google managers are said to have told labels that customer adoption is below what they expected. YouTube to Open Lab for Nurturing Video Stars Los Angeles Times YouTube will be one of the first tenants at the Hercules Campus, an office park being created from buildings near Los Angeles that were once the hub of aerospace giant Hughes Aircraft. YouTube will take over a 41,000-square-foot warehouse and office. Apple Acquires Mobile App-Search Firm Chomp Bloomberg Apple has acquired San Francisco-based Chomp, which helps users sort through the widening array of software applications for mobile devices. Apple is said to have paid about $50 million for the startup. Apple's App Store has been criticized as difficult to navigate. Netflix Set to Lose Market Share of Top Movies Variety The expiration of Netflix's movie deal with Starz at the end of the month will cut into its market share of top movies available among subscription video-on-demand services, according to new data from Piper Jaffray. Netflix's 17% figure will drop to 11%. Huffington Post Taps Vladimir Putin as Blogger Politico In addition to being the prime minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin has become a contributor to the Huffington Post. Putin has written two posts for Arianna Huffington's website so far, both of which were adapted from editorials he had written for Russian newspapers. Apple's iTunes Offers Exclusive Beatles Ringtones Apple Insider Songs from the legendary foursome The Beatles are now available for purchase as ringtones on Apple's iTunes Store. The 27 ringtones are 30-second snippets from songs that were No. 1 hits, including "Yesterday" and "Hey Jude," with each priced at $1.29. Amazon Drops 5,000 Kindle Titles in Price Dispute CNET News The Independent Publishers Group said Amazon has decided not to renew an agreement to resell electronic titles offered by the book distributor's client publishers in an apparent dispute over wholesale discounts. Amazon "wanted better margins." Google Set to Overtake Facebook in Display Ads Wall Street Journal Google's display-ad business is growing faster than anticipated and is on track to surpass that of Facebook, according to eMarketer. Google is poised to hit $3.68 billion in U.S. display-ad revenue next year, compared with Facebook's expected $3.29 billion. Twitter Poised to Hit 500 Million Registered Users Telegraph Twitter is set to hit 500 million registered users, according to Twopcharts, a third party analysis firm. However, the 500 million relates to the total number of registered accounts and fails to reveal how many are active. Twitter declined to comment on the figures. AOL: Friction Reported Between CEO, Huffington Business Insider A year after AOL acquired the Huffington Post for $350 million, sources said CEO Tim Armstrong is getting frustrated with working with Arianna Huffington. AOL leaders find Huffington to be a "headache." However, "she's an earned media machine." Google Chief Said to Sell Shares for Divorce Prep New York Post Eric Schmidt is speculated to be selling $1.5 billion of his Google shares to help settle an upcoming divorce with wife Wendy. The Google chairman has been dating top Council on Foreign Relations exec Lisa Shields. "He's working towards an amicable separation." YouTube Hires Microsoft Exec to Lead Marketing Advertising Age Google has hired Microsoft Bing exec Danielle Tiedt to lead consumer marketing for YouTube. Tiedt, general manager of Bing, led the search engine's latest brand push "Bing is for Doing." She was also involved in the $100 million ad blitz that launched Bing in 2009. Hulu, Paley Center in Partnership for PaleyFest All Your TV The Paley Center for Media has announced Hulu as a partner for PaleyFest 2012. The online video service will stream full-length content and short form clips on demand from nine of the festival's panels on the free, ad-supported Hulu and the Hulu Plus subscription service. Google to Launch Pay-TV Service in Kansas City New York Post Google is said to be ready to launch a pilot pay-TV program to rival Time Warner Cable in Kansas City. The anticipated service will allow Google to increase advertising revenue as well as control the pipeline. Google, when reached for comment, said no firm plans are set. Google Working On Voice-Controlled TV Sets Los Angeles Times Google is developing a technology that would allow a viewer to tell a TV, by voice, to change the channel or even seek out a favorite show. No more having to get off the sofa to look for a remote. Soon, TVs may even reply to your commands, like the Siri-enabled iPhones. Google Developing Eyewear to Stream Information New York Times Google is said to be developing eyeglasses that will stream information to the wearer's eyeballs in real time. The Android-based glasses, expected to go on sale by the end of the year, will "cost around the price of current smartphones," or $250 to $600. Twitter Signs Search Deal in Russia with Yandex Telegraph Twitter has signed its first search deal with Yandex, the Russian market leader in search, which will allow its users to search the microblogging site in real-time. Google lags behind Yandex in Russia, having failed to become the search engine of choice there. Facebook to Release New Premium Ads Product GigaOM Facebook plans to upgrade its premium ads on Feb. 29, according to leaked documents. The company expects the new ads to perform 40% to 80% better than its previous product. "People can interact with your brand. Their interactions will generate stories in news feeds." Facebook Stores Shuttered by Major U.S. Retailers Bloomberg Over the past year, the Gap, J.C. Penney, Nordstrom and Gamestop have all opened and closed storefronts on Facebook. The quick failure of the online stores suggests that the social network doesn't drive commerce and casts doubt on its value for retailers. Pinterest Social Scrapbooking Site Lures Brands Adweek Pinterest, the scrapbooking site that is suddenly on everyone's lips, "is like a gift from the social media gods" for style-conscious retailers. "For any company that has an e-commerce presence, they absolutely have to be paying attention to Pinterest," said an exec with the Gap. Twitter Eyes Political Ads, Overseas for Revenue CNBC This year will be "the Twitter election," according to Twitter CEO Dick Costolo. For the first time, Twitter will be taking political ads. Every major candidate is both tweeting and buying ads, he said. Also, much of Twitter's new revenue will come from overseas. Microsoft in Talks to Create New Music Service CNET News Microsoft is said to be in talks with some of the major record companies about creating a new music service. The software giant's proposed service would supply tunes to the Xbox as well as an upcoming Windows-based phone. The service could launch sometime this year. Netflix: We Didn't Pull Whitney Houston Movie Digital Trends Reports that Netflix was forced to pull "The Bodyguard" from its streaming library to push DVD sales after the death of the film's star, Whitney Houston, are false, according to the video-rental service. Netflix hasn't streamed the film "since the license expired last year." YouTube Enlists Big-Name Help for Channels Associated Press YouTube is enlisting Hollywood's help to reach a generation of viewers. While the number of traditional TV watchers has leveled off, more and more people are watching video on mobile phones and computers, especially the coveted 18- to 34-year-old demo. Google Expected to Enter Pay TV Market 'Soon' Hollywood Reporter Google will enter the pay TV market "very soon," according to Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Craig Moffett. "Recent regulatory filings make it a near-certainty that Google will enter the pay TV market in Kansas City. We expect Google to file for cable TV franchise licenses." Barnes & Noble Said to Plan New Version of Nook The Verge Barnes & Noble is said to be readying an 8-gigabyte version of its Nook tablet to better compete against Amazon's Kindle Fire. "All we know for sure is that Wal Mart plans to launch this new device at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, February the 22nd." Amazon Said to Prepare 10-Inch Kindle Fire Tablet AllThingsD Amazon is said to be planning a 10-inch Kindle Fire tablet device. Such a product would bring Amazon into direct competition with the iPad and other Android tablets. "Foxconn is expected to begin shipping the devices in the second quarter of 2012." Nielsen: Millions of Kids Use Tablets for Games, TV The Daily Some 70% of tablet-owning U.S. households with children under age 12 said their kids use the tablet devices, according to a Nielsen survey. Youngsters use tablets mostly for playing games, followed by educational purposes, and watching TV shows and movies. Apple's New CEO Seen as 'Amazingly' Accessible Barron's After talking at the Goldman Sachs tech confab in a relaxed and open manner, Apple CEO Tim Cook did an interview with the Wall Street Journal about the new Mac operating system. "I don't think I can recall Steve Jobs doing this much chit-chatting in one week." Myspace Names Fox Exec as Entertainment Head Los Angeles Times Myspace has wooed a former Fox exec. As the site's new entertainment president, Roger Mincheff will be responsible for original programming and content. He said he plans to promote Myspace as a digital "farm system," where budding talent can be discovered. Facebook Adds 12 in Latest Wave of Media Apps TechCrunch The Daily Show, MSNBC, BuzzFeed, and the Huffington Post are among the media outlets launching Facebook open graph reader and video watching apps. The new apps will hope to score the same traffic boosts attained by the Washington Post, Yahoo and Digg. MSN to Seek Younger Users with News Briefs Bloomberg Microsoft, trying to attract younger Internet users, is bolstering its MSN site with a service that produces short news synopses based on popular topics on search and social-media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. "We skew a little bit older than we'd like." Pinterest: Huge Traffic, Still No Business Model Wall Street Journal Pinterest, which lets users create online scrapbooks, has grown tenfold in the past six months. However, the start-up isn't sure how it is going to make money. Its founders aim to follow the path of Facebook and Twitter, both of which grew quickly without a business model. AOL Board Seats Eyed by Activist Hedge Fund New York Post Starboard Value, which has increased its stake in AOL to 5.1%, is said to be preparing to launch a battle for board seats. The hedge fund is gearing up to nominate its own slate of directors after calling on AOL to overhaul its money-losing media strategy. Yelp User Review Site to Raise $100 Million in IPO Bloomberg Yelp, the user-generated review website, plans to raise as much as $100 million in what may be the first initial public offering from a major Internet company this year. The IPO will probably come ahead of Facebook, which filed to raise $5 billion on Feb. 1. Demand Media Aims to Redo Business Model Los Angeles Times Demand Media, the web company whose properties include Livestrong and eHow, reported a $6.4 million loss in the fourth quarter. "The business changed fundamentally when Google changed its algorithm. The business model they had for producing content no longer works." Groupon to Test $30 VIP Daily Deals Program Chicago Tribune Groupon is testing a new program called Groupon VIP, the daily deals company's first foray into a paid product for subscribers. The subscription-based loyalty program costs $29.99 a year after a three-month free trial period and provides early access to deals. Newsy App Lets Users Watch News Video Offline Next Web Newsy has updated its free iPad and iPhone apps and launched on the Kindle Fire, the video news service has announced. The app also lets users add videos to a queue and watch them in bulk — a lean back experience which is well suited for tablets. Spanfeller's Daily Meal Adds Online Video Network Adweek Spanfeller Media Group has announced the launch of an online video network for its foodie site the Daily Meal, which launched in January of last year. The Daily Meal Video Network is a collection of 300 originally produced videos weaved throughout the site. Google 'Antenna Farm' Plans Hint at TV Service Kansas City Star Google has applied to U.S. regulators for permission to set up a satellite receiving station, fueling speculation that the search giant might bundle Internet and TV services. Google is being characteristically mum on the subject: "We're still exploring product offerings." HuffPost Video Network Hires Al Jazeera Host Advertising Age The Huffington Post's yet-to-launch online streaming network has hired its first on-air personality: Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, most recently the co-host of an Al Jazeera English TV show called "The Stream," has worked as a news producer for the New York Times. Google Eyes Studios as YouTube Comes of Age Dow Jones Aiming to build up original content for YouTube, Google will move a studio facility from Next New Networks, which the search giant acquired last year, into its New York offices. Other studios are possible in London and Tokyo. "They have to come up with content to fill channels." Facebook Plans Release of Timeline for Brands Advertising Age Facebook is said to be bringing its Timeline profile pages to brands this month in the United States. The new pages will start in beta with a handful of partners and then be released to more marketers in stages. A launch announcement is expected Feb. 29. Survey: Twitter Users 'Sexier' Than Facebook's WebProNews Some 40% of daily Twitter users describe themselves as "sexy," whereas only 28% of daily Facebook users said the same, according to a new survey by digital agency Euro RSCG. In addition, people who tweet "have sex more often" than Facebook users. Book Publishers Force Pirate E-Book Sites Offline Next Web Two websites that made e-books available illegally as free downloads have been forced offline after being served cease-and-desist orders from a global alliance of publishers. The alliance against Library.nu and Ifile.it included HarperCollins, McGraw-Hill and Pearson. AOL Patch News Model Is 'Not Going to Work' Fortune AOL has placed high hopes — and lots of cash — in Patch, its hyperlocal news venture. But with just a few sites actually turning a profit, the numbers may never add up. AOL strongly disagrees: "We're not losing money — we're investing. We're not struggling." Facebook, Twitter Help Turn 'The Vow' Into a Hit Los Angeles Times After a slow courtship, movie studios are now embracing social media like Facebook and Twitter. To lure fans, Channing Tatum appeared in a "Sweet Nothings" video that marketers for his new film, "The Vow," posted on Facebook in advance of its opening last weekend. Yahoo Activist Shareholder Taps MTV, NBC Alums CNET News Yahoo activist investor Dan Loeb aims to launch a proxy fight, bringing in two heavy-hitting media execs. Loeb is nominating four candidates for board seats, including former MTV Networks chief Michael Wolf and former NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker. Apple CEO Explains Why Tablets Will Take Over Barron's Apple CEO Tim Cook, speaking at the Goldman Sachs tech conference, discussed what prompted the explosive growth in the iPad. It "stood on the shoulders of everything that came before it. People were trained on the iPhone, so they were already familiar with multi-touch." Microsoft to Introduce Social Display Ad Unit Adweek Microsoft's advertising division has unveiled its own social display ad product, one seemingly heavily inspired by Facebook, which will allow brands to incorporate user-generated content like product reviews, blog posts and videos within a banner ad. Netflix Challenges HBO with Second New Series Bloomberg Netflix, ratcheting up competition with HBO, is said to be producing 13 episodes of a new comedy series, "Orange Is the New Black." Netflix will have first rights to the series from "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan, which is based on the memoir of a communications exec. MySpace, Fox Digital Team for Internet Series Hollywood Reporter MySpace and Fox Digital Entertainment are launching an eight-episode series called "Wolfpack of Reseda," described as "darkly hilarious." The show will be sponsored by Kia Motors America, which will have one of its vehicles featured prominently in the series. Amazon: Fewer Prime Members Than Estimated Bloomberg Amazon's Prime service, a linchpin of its effort to fuel long-term profit, is said to have attracted fewer than half as many members as analysts estimate. As of October, 3 million to 5 million people subscribed to Prime, which provides two-day shipping for $79 a year. Twitter Stirs Staff Dissent with Stock Sale Rule CNNMoney While Facebook prepares to go public, social media rival Twitter intends to stay private. The company has slapped its shareholders with an unusual restriction: No one who holds stock can sell more than 20% of their shares. The rule has caused dissent in Twitter's ranks. Apple Shares Surpass $500 on Mobile Success CNET News Apple's stock surpassed $500 a share on Monday, reaching an all-time high and prompting investors to wonder just how far the company's shares can go. The company's meteoric rise is due mainly to the success of its mobile products, including the iPod, iPhone and iPad. Google to Focus Acquisitions on Video, Mobile Financial Times Google has narrowed the focus of its acquisitions to a smaller number of strategic areas, such as video and mobile, according to David Lawee, the company's head of corporate development. Google does not expect to make acquisitions in social networking, he added. YouTube Eyes 'Video Everywhere' for Partners AllThingsD YouTube has made a small but important change in the way it deals with content owners. Google's video-sharing website is now insisting on the ability to play all videos from content "partners" on all platforms, including mobile phones and connected TVs. Twitter: No. 1 Most Innovative Media Company Fast Company Twitter is the No. 1 most innovative company in media, according to Fast Company magazine. "It's impossible to talk about media without Twitter." Other media companies in the magazine's top 10 list include the New York Times, Tumblr, the Awl Network, and BuzzFeed. Apple Tests Tablet with Smaller Eight Inch Screen Wall Street Journal Apple is said to be working with component suppliers in Asia to test a new tablet computer with a smaller screen size of around 8 inches. Apple's latest tablet, the iPad 2, comes with a 9.7-inch screen. The move comes as Apple prepares to announce a new iPad in March. LivingSocial Opening a Facility to Host Events AllThingsD LivingSocial, the second-largest deals company after Groupon, has secured a building in Washington, D.C., to host activities and classes, such as cooking, painting, photography and yoga. "We believe this is the next step in the evolution of local commerce." Netflix, Hulu Originals Look Like Traditional TV Associated Press Within just over a week, Netflix and Hulu are both debuting their first stabs at original scripted programming. The shows amount to a milestone in Internet television. Hulu's "Battleground" and Netflix's "Lilyhammer" both look and feel like shows on broadcast TV. Amazon to Staff Up for Original Programming AllThingsD New job listings on Amazon's careers site show the company looking to recruit execs for its movie and series production arm. Specifically, it is seeking execs to quarterback its children's and comedy programming efforts "for online and traditional distribution." Google Lab to Test '@Home' Streaming Product San Jose Mercury News Google is building testing labs at its headquarters that hint at the Internet giant's interest in crafting consumer devices. One lab will test a new consumer product under the brand name "@home" that will wirelessly stream music or data to other household devices. Apple Launches Legal Attack on Samsung Phones Reuters Apple has raised the stake in an intensifying battle with Samsung by targeting the latest model using Google's Android software. The company has asked a federal court in California to block Samsung from selling its new Galaxy Nexus phones, alleging four patent violations. Facebook, LinkedIn Ready Ad Units for Mobiles BtoB Facebook will introduce advertising units on mobile devices beginning in March. Meanwhile, LinkedIn is preparing to do the same, but with no timeline announced. Currently 15% of all users of LinkedIn access the professional networking service via mobile devices. MySpace to Announce One Million New Users New York Times Since December, when it introduced a new music player, MySpace has signed up one million new users. Plus, monthly traffic on MySpace rose in January, the first increase in almost a year. At 25.1 million, it was an improvement of 4% from the month before. LivingSocial Scales Back on Markets, Offerings Washington Business LivingSocial has begun to cull some underperforming markets and product offerings, including partially scaling back its "Adventures" brand, in a move that reflects increasing pressure to achieve profitability after the company's runaway growth of 2011. Groupon to Add 'Thumbs Up' in Website Revamp Bloomberg Groupon is preparing a revamped version of its website, starting with "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" buttons to help the daily coupon service do a better job tailoring offers to its 33 million active users. The company plans to launch the new design in the coming weeks. Google to Develop Consumer Electronic Devices Wall Street Journal Google is said to be developing a home-entertainment system that streams music wirelessly throughout the home and would be marketed under the company's own brand. The Internet giant for the first would time would design and market consumer electronics under its name. Apple Value Bests Google, Microsoft Combined Apple Insider Apple's stock soared to new heights on Thursday, pushing the company's market capitalization to $456 billion, a number that is greater than the values of rivals Google and Microsoft combined. The milestone came soon after Apple reported its best quarter ever. Forrester: Be Wary of Google, Amazon, Apple Direct Marketing News Google, Amazon, Apple and Facebook will continue to dominate online business, but retailers and marketers should tread carefully in partnering with them, according to a Forrester report. "Google is moving more into local marketing; Apple apps work like Trojan horses." Glam Media Launches Social Network for Foodies Reuters There are magazines, TV shows and books about food. So why not a social network? That's the thinking behind online lifestyle publisher Glam Media's newest offering. The company has rolled out Foodie.com, a social network devoted entirely to the gastronomic crowd. Vevo Shows Pirated ESPN Stream at Sundance TechCrunch Vevo, the online music video service backed by major record labels, showed a pirated stream of an ESPN football game at its Sundance PowerStation venue last month. The event "underscores everything wrong with the media industry's approach to piracy." Google May Open Stand-Alone Retail Store Bloomberg Google may open its first stand-alone retail store at its European headquarters in Dublin, according to a filing by the Internet giant. The Google Store would be open to the public and sell unspecified "Google merchandise," the company said in a planning application. Apple Expected to Unveil New iPad in March AllThingsD Apple is said to have chosen the first week in March to debut the successor to the iPad 2, and will do so at one of its trademark special events. The event is expected to be held at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the company's preferred venue. AOL Names Content Chief for Troubled Patch Reuters AOL, which has been investing in content to make up for declining revenue from dial-up Internet access, has hired a chief content officer for its struggling Patch hyperlocal news network. Rachel Fishman Feddersen will join Patch from Sweden's Bonnier Group. Groupon Reports Loss Amid Doubts Over Model Chicago Tribune Groupon has reported quarterly earnings as a publicly traded company for the first time, posting a net loss of $42.7 million. Since disclosing financial data in the run-up to its IPO, the company has battled a barrage of skepticism over the sustainability of its business model. Yahoo Chief, Others Out in Board Shake-Up Associated Press Yahoo chairman Roy Bostock and three longtime board members are stepping down, submitting to the demands of many frustrated shareholders who blame them for contributing to the follies that have dragged down the Internet company's revenue and stock price. Facebook, Google Pull 'Offensive' Content in India Reuters Google and Facebook have removed content from some Indian domain websites following a court directive warning them of a crackdown "like China" if they did not take steps to block material considered religiously offensive. India's Internet access remains largely uncensored. Google Begins Work on KC Broadband Network Kansas City Business Google construction crews are on the move in Kansas City, more than 10 months after the Internet giant announced it would bring its ultra-fast broadband network to the area. Google plans to lay a "solid fiber backbone" encompassing thousands of miles of cables. Microsoft Beefs Up Ad Sales in Big Media Rivalry Los Angeles Times In its latest move to compete with traditional media, Microsoft is beefing up its ad sales team, hiring veteran cable and broadcast industry exec Yoav Shahar as video specialist for its video advertising unit. Shahar spent 15 years at Turner Broadcasting. Amazon Eyes Physical Store to Showcase Gadgets Reuters Amazon plans to open a physical store in its home town of Seattle to showcase and sell its growing line of gadgets, including the Kindle Fire, said a blog report. The move may be inspired by the success of Apple, whose stores show off iPhones, iPads and other gadgets. Twitter Breaks Tweet Record During Super Bowl Fast Company Twitter connected Sunday night on its hashtag Hail Mary. The social service set a new record for game-day activity during Super Bowl XLVI: 12,233 tweets per second at the end of the game. The second highest rate came during Madonna's halftime extravaganza: 10,245. AOL Wants Consumers to 'Care About AOL Again' Advertising Age AOL is searching for an agency to help it devise a new brand campaign in the hopes of reconnecting with consumers. The company is looking to get the word out on "why people should care about AOL again," noting that consumers don't know "what value we deliver." IAC Trying to Sell Video-Sharing Website Vimeo Pando Daily Barry Diller's IAC is said to be testing the waters on a partial exit of Vimeo. The company hopes to raise a $50 million round of funding in conjunction with a spin off of the "hipster" online video business. IAC is looking to keep a 50% non-controlling stake. Groupon Scoops Up Silicon Valley Startup Adku Chicago Tribune Groupon has acquired a Silicon Valley e-commerce data startup called Adku for undisclosed terms. Adku, founded a year and a half ago by a group of former Google employees, specializes in using data to craft personalized shopping experiences on the web. Glam Media Blog Network Moves Closer to IPO Financial Times Glam Media, a large network of lifestyle blogs that has been valued at close to $1 billion, is close to finalizing plans to file for an initial public offering by April. CEO Samir Arora aims to grab some of the social-media halo effect created by Facebook's IPO. Facebook to Tap Mobile Phone Ads for Revenue Financial Times Facebook is set to begin showing advertisements on mobile devices within weeks in an effort to tap a new source of revenues before its IPO. The social networking giant has already talked with ad agencies about displaying "featured stories" in users' news feeds. Redbox, Verizon to Launch Streaming Video Service Fast Company Netflix will soon get a new rival: Redbox has announced a partnership with Verizon to launch a subscription-based streaming video service later this year. The joint venture will be an "affordable service" allowing consumers to use "the media and devices they prefer." Netflix Less About Flicks, More About Television Los Angeles Times Netflix has been bulking up on TV offerings for subscribers through its on-demand Internet streaming service, including reruns and its first original series. In a sign of just how far it has come as a TV powerhouse, Netflix on Monday will premiere its first original series. HuffPost: We Won't Become a Cable Network Adweek "We're not going to become a cable network," declared Huffington Post editor Roy Sekoff, explaining the rollout last week of the Huffington Post Streaming Network. Yet questions on what exactly it is going to be will continue to dog the service until its summer launch. BuzzFeed Becomes a Player in High-Low News New York Times With its mix of listicles and web memes, BuzzFeed was at first like the Huffington Post without the news and commentary. But in December, the site hired Politico's Ben Smith as editor, who quickly broke major news. The message was clear: BuzzFeed was a player in news. U.S. Shutters 16 Illegal Sports Streaming Sites Associated Press With the Super Bowl days away, U.S. authorities have shut down 16 websites that streamed unauthorized sports broadcasts. The move came just hours after Super Bowl star Tom Brady told reporters that he watched last year's big game on an illegal site. "It's pretty cool." YouTube, Twitter Compete for Super Bowl Fans Bloomberg Social media have combined with tablets and smartphones to spark a flurry of online activity during televised games. Big-name advertisers have taken notice, turning to YouTube and Twitter to generate buzz and stretch their ad spend on NBC's Super Bowl telecast. Amazon to Publish Memoir of Billy Ray Cyrus Associated Press Billy Ray Cyrus is the latest celebrity to sign up with Amazon.com. The singer of "Achy Breaky Heart" and father and former co-star of Miley Cyrus has a memoir, "Hillbilly Heart," coming in spring 2013. Amazon has been aggressively expanding its publishing operation. Hulu to Premiere 'Matchmaker' Original Series Hollywood Reporter Hulu is making good on its vow to push into original content. The video service has announced "Paul the Male Matchmaker," a 10-episode mocumentary series from "Sex and the City's" Liz Tuccillo and "Mad Men's" Paul Bartholomew about a hopeless matchmaker. AOL to Launch Huffington Post Video Network Hollywood Reporter AOL's Huffington Post will later this year launch the Huffington Post Streaming Network, offering live video featuring discussions about HuffPost stories. Viewers will be "a central part of the show" as "people don't want to be told the news anymore." Yahoo Nabs New York Times Journo Heffernan Politico Yahoo News has hired former New York Times columnist Virginia Heffernan as national correspondent. Heffernan will write a weekly column chronicling what she calls the "digital election." Yahoo "is embracing the idea that they're becoming a media company." Twitter Launches Account to Train Journalists Next Web Looking ahead to the elections, Twitter has set up an account called @TwitterForNews. The feed will be "spotlighting best practices and innovative uses of Twitter by journalists and newsrooms." Said one tweet: "This is a new source of info about using Twitter for news." Facebook's Future Eyed by Media Industry Variety Facebook's long-anticipated IPO filing provided few details on the role media content will play in the social network's growth strategy. According to the filing, advertising accounted for 85% of revenues, with another 12% derived from Zynga, the gaming company. Apple TV Set Coming in 2012, Analyst Says Fortune Analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray said he is confident that Apple is poised to enter the connected TV market, possibly in late 2012. Apple has contacted a "major TV component supplier" regarding "capabilities of their television display components." YouTube's Top Star Earns $1 Million a Year Wall Street Journal Ray William Johnson, a 30-year-old comic known as RayWJ, curses constantly and sometimes dresses up as a penguin. And he attracts more than 5 million regular viewers to his twice-weekly video commentaries, making him the biggest draw on YouTube. Twitter Unveils More Enhanced Brand Pages GigaOM Twitter has switched on enhanced brand pages for accounts owned by NBC News, Volkswagen, the Huffington Post, Al Jazeera, and Anobii, among others. This is the first batch of premium Twitter pages from companies other than the handful of launch partners. LivingSocial Lost $558 Million, Amazon Says Washington Business LivingSocial posted a net loss of $558 million in 2011 on $245 million in revenue. For all of CEO Tim O'Shaughnessy's efforts to draw a distinction between his company and Groupon, the numbers show the two companies are experiencing similar struggles. YouTube Mulls Launch of Subscription Services GigaOm While much of YouTube's efforts have been based on advertising, CEO Salar Kamangar said his company could potentially create a service that could enable content providers to create their own subscription-based video offerings. "We're a media platform." Hulu: Original Shows Are Pivotal to Strategy Wall Street Journal Hulu is investing in the development of original content in part as a way to identify itself as a distinctive service amid an increasingly competitive marketplace, according to CEO Jason Kilar. "It is important that we deliver great content and stories that aren't being told." Vevo Sells Sponsorship of Obama, Jay-Z Event ClickZ News Vevo is selling the opportunity for corporate brands to wrap their names around an interview with President Obama and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z on the popular video site. Vevo said the event isn't happening, but sources said advertisers have already bought sponsorships. Facebook Set to File $5 Billion IPO Wednesday Reuters Facebook is expected to submit paperwork to regulators on Wednesday for a $5 billion initial public offering and has selected Morgan Stanley and four other bookrunners to handle the mega-IPO. The $5 billion is a preliminary target and could be ramped up in coming months. IAC Sees Losses from Newsweek Daily Beast Hollywood Reporter Barry Diller's IAC has reported stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue for the fourth quarter. The company said that its Newsweek Daily Beast joint venture saw $9.6 million in losses for the latest quarter, of which $5.7 million were related to an impairment charge. Amazon Book Sales Banned at Barnes & Noble Wall Street Journal Barnes & Noble will no longer sell in its stores any books published by Amazon.com, saying the web retailer had "undermined the industry" by trying to sign exclusive agreements with publishers, agents and authors. The move is likely to exacerbate tensions between the two. Facebook Widens Lead in Online Display Ads Wall Street Journal Facebook has widened its lead in the online display-advertising market, just days ahead of an expected filing for an initial public offering. The social network's share of the U.S. display ad market grew to 27.9% for 2011, according to data from comScore. Twitter Global Expansion to Increase Ad Sales Bloomberg Twitter's international expansion may help fuel a threefold gain in revenue, even as it raises censorship challenges. Ad revenue is set to rise to $540 million in 2014, according to eMarketer. Increasing popularity overseas will decrease the site's reliance on U.S. advertisers. LinkedIn, Facebook Preferred to Blogs by Biz San Jose Business Blogging is on the decline while use of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter is more common among the fastest-growing U.S. private companies, according to a study by the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Still, only 24% of the Inc. 500 have a written social media policy. Facebook Targets IPO Filing on Wednesday Wall Street Journal Facebook could file papers for an initial public offering as early as this week and is close to picking Morgan Stanley as the lead underwriter. Facebook's IPO, which could raise $10 billion, has been hotly anticipated as a defining moment for the latest web investing boom. Twitter to Offer Profile Pages to Advertisers Business Insider Twitter is said to be planning to launch Facebook-style profile pages, allowing advertisers to enhance their tweets via a new environment. A "confidential" Twitter document reveals product specs, background designs, geographic targeting and other tools. AOL Traffic Drops After HuffPost Acquisition New York Post One year after acquiring the Huffington Post for $135 million, AOL has seen the traffic for its website fall from 78.9 million unique visitors to 73.6 million. One insider described the acquisition as CEO Tim Armstrong's "biggest mistake to date" and "a total disaster." Abrams Website Network 'Solidly Profitable' Advertising Age Abrams Media Network of seven websites, including Mediaite, is "solidly profitable" some two and a half years after its founding, according to founder Dan Abrams. "Media figures can often say things politicians can't," he said. Next up in 2012: a new food site. Google, Facebook Appear at British Press Inquiry Financial Times Google and Facebook urged the Leveson inquiry into the future of press regulation to preserve the distinction between professional publishers, such as newspapers, and Internet platforms. The two companies also warned against rules that could diminish free speech online. Facebook Hires Managing Editor from Bloomberg Business Insider Facebook has hired Dan Fletcher, former social media director at Bloomberg, to be its managing editor. Both Fletcher and Facebook confirmed that he will make the move, but weren't ready yet to discuss what his responsibilities will be at the social network. Twitter: Activists Urge Boycott to Protest Changes Monsters & Critics Free speech activists are calling for a boycott of Twitter to protest the microblogging service's new tools that will allow it to redact tweets on a country-by-country basis. Twitter has been credited with playing a vital role in helping activists organize anti-government protests. Amazon 'Hit Man' to Burn the Book Business Bloomberg Businessweek Larry Kirshbaum, the ultimate book industry insider, was named head of Amazon Publishing last May. As traditional book publishers have come to regard Amazon as a threat, Kirshbaum "has gone from one of the most well-liked people in publishing to the one of the most reviled." Netflix CEO: DVD Subscribers to Decline Forever CNET News Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who has sent mixed signals for the past year about whether the company was committed to DVDs for the long term, has sounded a very loud death knell for the format: "We expect DVD subscribers to decline steadily every quarter, forever." Google Users Pay $5,000 to Use 'Free' Services SmartMoney New research finds people fork over $5,000 worth of personal information a year to Google in exchange for access to its "free services," such as Gmail and search. According to privacy experts, the Internet giant's plan to pool user data makes it less than a fair trade. Facebook Move Stokes Talk of Impending IPO San Jose Business A reported three-day halt in private trades of Facebook's stock has stoked speculation that the social networking giant may be about to file papers for the biggest initial public offering in history. The company is expected to seek as much as $10 billion in an IPO this year. Groupon Debuts on Kiosks for On-the-Spot Deals Chicago Sun-Times Deal seekers will have a new way to find coupons, as Groupon starts appearing on kiosks for people to use to find transportation, restaurants and nearby events throughout Chicago, the company's hometown. The deals will be targeted to each kiosk's location. Apple iPhone, iPad App Rewards Watching TV Associated Press Want to earn stuff by watching TV? A free app for that has made its debut. Viggle's software for iPhones and iPads listens to what's on, recognizes what you're watching and gives you credit to redeem as gift cards for retailers such as Burger King, Starbucks and Best Buy. Amazon Mulls Video Service to Take On Netflix New York Post Jeff Bezos and his team at Amazon are weighing a move to beef up the web retailer's video-streaming service, possibly carving it out as a standalone, subscription-based operation. Such a move would set the retail behemoth in the same competitive orbit as Netflix. Yahoo CEO Aims to End Media vs Tech Debate GigaOM Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson may have only been on the job for three weeks, but he has already made one thing clear: The discussion over whether Yahoo is a media or tech company must come to an end. "We are a media company and a tech company. We must do both." Apple CEO Hints at 'Amazing' New Products San Francisco Chronicle Apple has rebounded from a recent earnings miss with a record first fiscal quarter, announcing record-shattering sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs. "Apple's momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline," said CEO Tim Cook. Social Media 'Fatigue' Seen Among Youth in India Channel NewsAsia India's urban youth are suffering social-media "fatigue," prompting a number to delete their Facebook and other accounts, according to a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. "Youngsters have started finding social media boring." Google to Combine User Data Across Products Wired Google has announced that it will streamline the bulk of its products' privacy policies into a single document, effective March 1. "In short, we'll treat you as a single user across all our products, which will mean a simpler, more intuitive Google experience." YouTube Video-Game Channel Eyes Next Level Los Angeles Times With 125 million viewers watching 1 billion videos a month, Machinima may be the most-watched channel that's not on TV. The YouTube channel devoted to video games is a hit among young males. "Machinima is to gaming what MTV was to music in its early days." Execs: Web Will Turn to Premium Content in 2012 Broadcasting & Cable The digital battle in 2012 will be waged over premium content, according to News Corp. digital chief Jon Miller and Yahoo exec Ross Levinsohn during the opening panel at NATPE. "The premium space is up for grabs. It's a battleground, and it's a battle worth fighting." Google Tweaks Search to Punish Ad-Heavy Sites Wired Google has tweaked its search algorithm to punish websites with excessive advertising "above-the-fold," that is, websites that stack the top of the page with nothing but advertisements. According to the Internet search giant, "users want to see content right away." Survey: Tablet, E-Reader Ownership Doubles Reuters The number of Americans owning a tablet computer or e-reader nearly doubled over the holidays as Kindles, Nooks and iPads proved to be popular gifts, according to a report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Men and women are equally likely to own a device. Gawker Trolls for Traffic in Open Experiment New York Gawker this week is asking some of its writers offer up posts "they feel would garner the most traffic," while others spend time on more substantive stories. "Just because this is technically a 'blog,' there is plenty of room for pieces that aren't aggregated and repackaged." WikiLeaks Founder to Host His Own TV Show Next Web WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange plans to host his very own TV show, which will see him interview "key political players, thinkers and revolutionaries" from around the world. The series will kick off in March. WikiLeaks is inviting interested parties to request a licence. Google, Facebook Protests Halt Antipiracy Rules CNBC Google, Facebook and Wikipedia did a brilliant job rallying millions of their users to oppose antipiracy legislation being debated in Congress. It worked. In the wake of a massive outcry, congressional leaders are sending the bill back to the drawing board. Apple: How U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Production New York Times Apple execs believe the vast scale of overseas factories as well as the flexibility and skills of foreign workers outpace their U.S. counterparts. Said one Apple exec: "We don't have an obligation to solve America's problems. Our only obligation is making the best product." Hulu, YouTube to Be 'Dwarfed' by TV Everywhere Hollywood Reporter Needham & Co. analyst Laura Martin estimated in a report that the TV Everywhere industry initiative could add $12 billion in annual revenue to the U.S. TV ecosystem. "These dollars dwarf any near-term revenue streams from digital platforms (Hulu, YouTube, etc)." Netflix Replaces Marketing Chief After User Revolt Bloomberg Netflix has replaced its top marketing exec after a customer revolt over changes to prices and terms. Leslie Kilgore, chief marketing officer for the past 12 years, will leave her post and join the board. She will be replaced by Jessie Becker on an interim basis. Zynga Eyes Partners for Online Gambling Initiatives AllThingsD Zynga has confirmed that the social network game developer is investigating opportunities in online gambling. "We know from listening to our players that there's an interest in the real money gambling market. We're in active conversations with potential partners." Groupon Acquires Online Social Retailer Mertado CNET News Groupon has acquired Mertado, an online social-shopping company that used Facebook as its distribution platform and sold product deals matched to users' lifestyles. Groupon may be looking to ramp up after its less-than-stellar stock activity in 2011's fourth quarter. Gilt Groupe Lays Off Staffers Amid 'Leaner Times' New York Gilt Groupe CEO Kevin Ryan recently responded to rumors that the company would lay off 170 employees by claiming he only planned to "selectively trim" the staff by 50. But one source said the company has laid off more than 100. Gilt insists that the number is lower. Facebook Seeks to Replace YouTube on Vevo CNET Facebook is said to have held talks with Vevo about moving the music-video service away from YouTube and over to the social network's platform. Facebook would stream Vevo's music videos and the two companies would sell ads and share in the profits. Google Still Searching for New Revenue Stream Wired Google reported earnings of $8.13 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter, missing analyst expectations. The Internet giant still earns nearly 100% of its money from online ads, and Google doesn't want to rely solely on search advertising as its primary revenue stream. Twitter Acquires Social News Reader Summify Next Web Twitter has acquired the social feed summarizing tool Summify. The startup works to automatically identify the most important news stories across all of a user's networks, enabling the user to access a summary of the most interesting stories of the day. Apple Unveils Digital Textbooks to Boost iPad Bloomberg Apple has introduced a product to make digital textbooks available on the iPad and beef up the education content available for the tablet computer, which is gaining popularity in classrooms. The new iBooks 2 service aims to make textbooks more interactive and searchable. Barnes & Noble Without the Nook? Not Really Bloomberg Businessweek Barnes & Noble's stock tanked when it said it may spin off its Nook e-reader. But CEO William Lynch said investors who panicked got it all wrong. Nook will remain intertwined with Barnes & Noble stores because that is where a majority of the devices are sold. WebMD: Sale Talks Never Led to Formal Offers Bloomberg WebMD, the Internet provider of medical information, said talks with potential buyers led to the conclusion that any proposed offers would be less than the market value of the company. No formal proposals were ever received, the company said in a regulatory filing. YouTube to Hold 'Your Film Festival' for Users Associated Press YouTube has launched a film festival that will play out online and ultimately send 10 finalists to the Venice Film Festival. The Google-owned video site announced that the Your Film Festival will allow users to view the films on a special YouTube channel and vote for their favorites. Study: Home Media Landscape Shifting to Digital WorldScreen More than half of online U.S. adults watch streaming or downloaded video content in the home, according to a study from the Consumer Electronics Association. "Technology allows consumers to access almost any content they desire instantaneously on Internet-connected devices." Facebook Adds 60 Partners to Become Media Hub Bloomberg Facebook has added more than 60 partners to a service that lets users tell friends what they are doing online, from listening to music to reading news. The new partnerships — with Ticketmaster, Rotten Tomatoes, Gogobot and others — make Facebook more of a media hub. Google Named Best Place to Work in America San Jose Mercury News Google has been named by Fortune magazine as the best place to work in America. The search giant has capped a year when it hired about 7,000 people, the most intense growth spurt in its 13-year history, with perhaps the pre-eminent human relations title in corporate America. Twitter Mulls Traditional Print, TV Ad Campaign Advertising Age Twitter is said to be quietly discussing plans to launch a traditional advertising campaign. "Everything from TV to print is on the table." Interestingly, the talks come at a time when the microblogging service, now more than five years old, has no chief marketer. Apple Predicted to Sell 48 Million iPads in 2012 AllThingsD Reports of a new Apple iPad in the works have prompted analysts to tweak their sales estimates upward. "We believe this refresh will likely help drive higher iPad sales and help further differentiate from arguably the only real competitor in the market, Amazon's Kindle Fire." New, Old Media in Battle Over Antipiracy Rules Wall Street Journal On Wednesday, some 10,000 websites — including Wikipedia, Craigslist and Reddit — have pledged to either shut down or turn their home pages black, in protest of proposed antipiracy legislation supported by media giants including News Corp., Viacom and Time Warner. Yahoo Set for Revamp as Co-Founder Yang Exits ZDNet Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo, has relinquished his board seat and "all other positions" with the beleaguered web giant. The move could set up a dramatic restructuring leading to a company revamp. "Yahoo can sell out more easily." New CEO Scott Thompson "has no ties to the past." Apple Patents Reveal DVR Features for Cable TV 9to5 Mac As Apple is expected enter the HDTV hardware space, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published a series of recently-granted patents filed by the company, one of which is an Apple TV-related patent for recording episodic cable TV, crediting Steve Jobs as an inventor. Apple Said to Prepare March Debut of Next iPad Bloomberg Apple's next iPad, expected to go on sale in March, is rumored to sport a high-definition screen, run a faster processor and work with next-generation wireless networks. CEO Tim Cook is counting on the new model to ward off mounting competition in the tablet market. Facebook IPO Likely in May as Web Rivals Grow AllThingsD Facebook's initial public offering — expected to be one of the largest web IPOs ever — is said to be coming in the third week of May. The online social network needs a public offering heft more than ever, according to observers, as its battles with the likes of Google escalate. Google: Murdoch's Piracy Claim is 'Nonsense' CNET News "This is just nonsense," said a Google spokeswoman, in a response to tweets by News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch describing the Internet giant as a "piracy leader." "Last year we took down 5 million infringing web pages and invested $60 million in the fight against bad ads." AOL Fund Helps Launch Rival to TechCrunch New York Post Sarah Lacy, a former senior editor at AOL TechCrunch who found the door after a corporate dust-up, has launched a rival tech-news site called PandoDaily. Her new start-up received financial backing from CrunchFund, a venture-capital fund partly backed by AOL. Yahoo, Electus, CollegeHumor Plan Web Series TheWrap Yahoo Sports, Electus and CollegeHumor have partnered on "Blindsided," a new series that will prank athletes and fans, much like MTV's "Punk'd" did with celebrities. The show, which debuts Wednesday, is part of Yahoo's continued push into original content. Hulu Challenges Cable with First Original Drama Reuters Hulu has taken another step to becoming a full-fledged alternative to cable TV by commissioning its first scripted original series, the new political documentary-style drama "Battleground." Said Hulu exec Andy Forsell: "We can make the economics work." Netflix Investors Sue Over 'Misleading' Data Hollywood Reporter Netflix is facing a class-action lawsuit that charges the company with concealing negative trends in its subscription business. Netflix's stock was "artificially inflated" because the company failed to take into account "skyrocketing costs and rapidly defecting customers." YouTube Launches Two Entertainment Channels Multichannel News YouTube, continuing its push to add professionally produced channels, has added two entertainment "networks" to the site: PMC and ION Television's Entertainment News Television and the Young Hollywood Network. YouTube is spending some $100 million on the initiative. Amazon's UK LoveFilm to Stream ABC Shows Bloomberg Amazon's LoveFilm unit, which streams movies and TV to subscribers online, has signed a deal to offer ABC shows in Britain. The shows include "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost." Rival Netflix started services in the U.K. and Ireland last week. YouTube: Future of Entertainment Is On the Web Washington Post In the next decade, 75% of all channels will be born on the Internet, according to Robert Kyncl, head of global partnerships for YouTube. In a speech at the Consumer Electronics Show, Kyncl said the web is poised to become the premium channel for entertainment distribution. Hulu to Spend $500 Million on Shows This Year Bloomberg Hulu plans to spend $500 million on programs this year after paid subscribers surpassed 1.5 million in 2011. Revenue last year totaled $420 million, the online TV service said on its website. The company predicted in April that 2011 sales would approach $500 million. CollegeHumor Expanding From Web to Movies Los Angeles Times CollegeHumor has signed on to make a movie about thirtysomething underachievers called "Coffee Town," to be directed by former "Arrested Development" writer-producer Brad Copeland. The digital-comedy company is owned by the Barry Diller-led IAC. Twitter: Michelle Obama Joins as Election Nears CNET News First Lady Michelle Obama joined Twitter on Thursday, and after only four tweets, she has 185,000 followers and counting. As the 2012 election season heats up, it's all hands on deck for Team Obama. The president joined Twitter during the 2008 election campaign. Facebook Co-Founder Mulls Buying New Republic Huffington Post Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes is said to be a candidate to buy the New Republic magazine. While Hughes has made his fortune in the tech world, the 28-year-old is no stranger to politics. He worked as director of online organizing for President Obama's 2008 campaign. Politico, Facebook Team Up for GOP Election Data Mashable Politico has teamed up with Facebook to take a look at online opinions of Republican presidential hopefuls. The social network will analyze user sentiments about candidates and forward the data to the politics-focused media outlet, whose journalists will add insight and commentary. Apple Aims to Take On the Textbook Market New York Times Apple is expected to begin a much-anticipated foray into the textbook market at a press event in New York on Jan. 19. The event will likely showcase a new push by the company into the digital textbooks, but will not feature the announcement of any new devices. Amazon, Librarian Team for 'Book Lust' Series Puget Sound Business Amazon is working with Seattle's "most-loved" librarian, Nancy Pearl, to publish a line of Pearl's favorite out-of-print titles based on her popular "Book Lust" recommendations. AmazonEncore will publish six titles in the series each year in print, audiobook and e-book editions. Gilt Groupe Said to Plan Layoffs, Restructuring New York Observer Gilt Groupe, the shopping website company, is said to be planning layoffs of up to 60 people. "We are not closing down any businesses," said CEO Kevin Ryan. Gilt, he added, is on track for an IPO. Gilt's Park & Bond men's site launched a partnership with GQ in August. YouTube Eyes Gadgets to Boost Viewership Reuters YouTube hopes to increase viewership by making the video service available on connected devices and by adding new content. The next challenge is to make YouTube a more central part of viewers' lives. "We want viewers to spend more time on YouTube." AOL-HuffPost in Moviefone Redo with Weinstein TheWrap The AOL Huffington Post Media Group has revamped its Moviefone.com property, adding all new content from the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Tribeca Film Festival COO Jon Patricof. The online ticketing site's content will now be more integrated with HuffPost. Google Gets More Personal with Search Results Associated Press Google has begun sifting through the photos and commentary on its blossoming social network so its Internet search results can include more personal information. According to the Internet search leader: "This is going to open up a whole new avenue in search." Twitter: Google's Changes Bad for Publishers Reuters Twitter has lashed out at changes Google unveiled for its search engine, saying they would make it tougher for people to find the breaking news often shared by users of its service. "We think that's bad for people, publishers, news organizations and Twitter users." Facebook Begins Rollout of News Feed Ads ClickZ News Facebook has begun a rollout of ads to the news feed. But the units are not called Sponsored Stories, as some anticipated. Instead, according to the digital giant, they are labeled "Featured," to distinguish them from earned media messaging that users sometimes see. WebMD CEO Resigns, Company Calls Off Sale Associated Press WebMD CEO Wayne Gattinella has resigned, and the healthcare information services provider said it stopped talking to potential acquirers about a sale of the company. WebMD said it expects 2012 earnings to be "significantly lower" as it faces tough competition. Huffington Post Tech Boss Leaves for Start-Up AllThingsD Paul Berry, one of the key players in the Huffington Post's rocket rise, is leaving parent company AOL. HuffPost's chief technical officer will be working on Rebel Mouse, which he described as a "social platform," and will also work on a start-up incubator. Reddit to 'Black Out' Site in Piracy Act Protest CNET News Reddit, the Advance Publications-owned news aggregator, said it will "black out" its entire site for 12 hours on Jan. 18, protesting the Stop Online Piracy Act: "The freedom, innovation, and economic opportunity that the Internet enables is in jeopardy." AOL Turnaround Positions Company for Sale Forbes While CEO Tim Armstrong struggles to make AOL a preferred choice for advertisers, the company might face a tough time surviving 2012 and could become a target for bidders. Some of its turnaround moves could make AOL "cleaner" for a possible acquisition. Microsoft Adds News Corp, Comcast to Xbox TheWrap News Corp. content from 20th Century Fox, Fox Television and the Wall Street Journal will be available on the Xbox starting in February, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced at the Consumer Electronics Show. Ballmer also announced Xbox partnerships with Comcast. Sony Vita to Make U.S. Debut with Film, Music AFP Sony said that its PlayStation Vita handheld entertainment gadgets will debut in the U.S. market on Feb. 22 with access to popular streaming service Netflix. Sony will also make its own Music Unlimited service available on Vita devices when they hit the United States. Myspace Plans 'Over the Top' Web TV Service AllThingsD Myspace has announced the launch of Myspace TV, a service that aims to make the TV experience social. Available on Panasonic Viera Internet-connected TV sets, Myspace TV will enable viewers to share and comment on the programs they are watching. Facebook to Be Added to Mercedes-Benz Cars Reuters Mercedes-Benz is bringing Facebook to its automobiles, with a special version of the service that will be built in a new in-vehicle system. Eyeing safety considerations, any Facebook activity that requires a user to enter text will be disabled while the car is in motion. Netflix to Enter UK Video on Demand Market Guardian Netflix this week with launch an advertising campaign and a string of new film and TV deals, provoking scramble for subscribers against U.K. rivals such as Amazon's LoveFilm. The company is said to be close to announcing partners to boost the allure of its U.K. launch. Yahoo, Tom Hanks to Announce Video Project USA Today Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks will be talking Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show about his new project, a futuristic animated series called "Electric City" to appear on Yahoo later this spring. It will be the first original scripted program for Yahoo. Google Hopes to Make Splash with TV Partners San Jose Business Google and a group of electronics manufacturers plan to make a splash at this week's Consumer Electronics Show with new versions of the TV product it rolled out last year. Google TV-powered products are on tap in the coming year from Samsung, Sony, LG and Vizio. Glam Media Women's Website Owner Eyes IPO Advertising Age Glam Media, owner of 2,500 websites mostly geared toward women, is said to be planning to file for an initial public offering in the second quarter of 2012. The company's North American business became profitable in fourth-quarter 2010, according to sources. BuzzFeed Raises $15.5 Million in News Move TechCrunch Meme focused news aggregator BuzzFeed has raised a new $15.5 million round of financing, including Lerer Ventures, Hearst Media, Softbank and RRE Capital. BuzzFeed recently hired Politico's Ben Smith in a shift to offering "real reporting" and original content. Google Said to Launch $200 Tablet in Spring Daily Mail Google's forthcoming branded tablet PC will be the size of Amazon's Kindle Fire and sell for less than $200, according to sources in factories that build hi-tech components. The search giant will roll out the "entertainment device" as soon as March or April, they add. Twitter, Facebook Endorse Alternate Piracy Bill The Hill Twitter, Facebook and other web companies have endorsed an online piracy bill offered by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) as an alternative to the unpopular Stop Online Piracy Act and its Senate counterpart, Protect IP. The new bill targets "foreign rogue sites." AOL Teams with Bonnier to Lure Moms Online Associated Press AOL and publisher Bonnier's Parenting Group are teaming up to bring Parenting.com content to the Internet company. The move is aimed at luring online advertisers looking to reach moms. Links to Parenting.com articles will be featured on AOL and Huffington Post. Millennial Media Mobile Ad Network Files IPO ClickZ News Millennial Media has filed for an initial public offering, underscoring the emergence of increased marketing to on-the-go consumers. The Baltimore-based network sells advertising on mobile websites and apps. Its biggest competitors include Google, Apple and InMobi. Google TV Plans to Be Announced Next Week USA Today Google is turning up the volume on its TV plans for next week's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Google TV will be unveiled at CES by TV makers LG and Vizio, joining Sony, the search giant said. Samsung plans to unveil a TV later in the year. Yahoo's New CEO Lacks Media Experience MarketWatch New Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson may be respected on Wall Street for his leadership of PayPal, but his lack of background in media and advertising has fueled concerns among investors. Some wonder if his appointment will mean that Yahoo could change its focus. Zynga CEO Pincus Sees Shift to Free Gaming USA Today Less than three weeks after its initial public offering, social-game publisher Zynga is expanding its Facebook presence with a new game, "Hidden Chronicles." CEO Mark Pincus said he wants to make games "available in a way that is free, accessible and social." Twitter Criticized by Cuba for Castro 'Death' Associated Press Cuban state media have accused Twitter of helping spread a rumor that former leader Fidel Castro had died. Twitter "spread disinformation" by allowing the hash tag "fidelcastro" to become a trending topic. A Twitter spokesperson responded: "We don't mediate content." Apple Said to Enter Digital Textbook Industry Fox Business Apple is set to revolutionize the textbook and education industries by announcing new partnerships with publishers at a media event in New York this month, reports claim. Tech blogs believe that Apple's event will be about publishing and the iBookstore. Amazon Publishing Buys Franco's First Novel New York Observer James Franco has bypassed traditional publishing houses to publish with Amazon. The actor's first novel, called "Actors Anonymous," was acquired by Amazon fiction editor Ed Park. Franco's first book, a collection of short stories called Palo Alto, was published by Scribner. Yahoo Taps PayPal President for CEO AllThingsD Yahoo has named PayPal president Scott Thompson as its new CEO. The exec is currently in charge of the eBay online payments unit. The company fired its last CEO, Carol Bartz, in September and Yahoo has been run by the board and interim CEO Tim Morse. Netflix Plans to Premiere Original Series Dow Jones Netflix said the new series "Lilyhammer" will be available for its subscribers exclusively next month, marking the streaming video and DVD-rental company's latest push to provide original content as it looks to compete with cable companies. Microsoft Patent Could Signal Xbox DVR Tech Flash Microsoft has received a patent for technology that lets a game player record TV shows, videos or music while playing the game on the console. The technology could be a sign that Microsoft wants to turn the Xbox into a digital video recorder. Apple, Google Eye TV Rights to Soccer AppleInsider Apple and Google are said to be looking into placing bids for the TV rights to the English Premier League in order to bolster their respective television platforms. Apple is believed to be looking into customized programming for an upcoming full-fledged TV set. Google Demotes Chrome After Blog Flap Bloomberg Google demoted its Chrome browser in web-search rankings after an advertising effort for the tool ran afoul of its own rules governing paid promotions. Google's move came in response to sponsored blog posts that made favorable remarks about Chrome. Twitter: Murdoch Wife Account Is a Phony Financial Times Twitter has apologized for mistakenly verifying an account believed to belong to Wendi Deng, wife of News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch. The spoof, which fooled not only Twitter but many news outlets, casts doubt on the microblogging company's verification system. Apple Prepares to Launch Branded TV Sets AppleInsider Apple will launch 32- and 37-inch versions of an Apple-branded TV set in the second or third quarter of 2012, according to supply chain sources. Also: Apple's anticipated TV set could offer Internet-based content subscriptions with customized channel lineups. Netflix Trounces Hulu In Time Spent on Site TechCrunch More people watch Netflix online than Hulu, and have since about 18 months ago. U.S. visitors spent 1 billion minutes on Netflix.com in November versus 480 million minutes on Hulu. The once all-free Hulu has pushed to convert viewers to paying subscribers. Google Eyes Facebook Role in Social Media New York Post Google is ranked No. 1 in two key categories — top web brand and video destination — and is surging in a third area: social media. An unofficial Google+ tally said the social network would reach half of Facebook's population with 400 million users by the end of 2012. Facebook, Yelp to Lead Big Internet IPO Year Bloomberg Facebook and Yelp are poised to lead the biggest year for U.S. initial public offerings by Internet companies since 1999, just before the dot-com bubble burst. Web-related companies may raise $11 billion this year — the most since $18.5 billion of IPOs in 1999. Twitter: More Growth, Ads Expected in 2012 Mashable As Twitter became a globally recognized entity in 2011, it also began efforts to monetize itself earnestly. eMarketer is bullish about Twitter's prospects in the coming year. The service is forecast to post $259.9 million in revenues in 2012, an 86.3% jump from 2011. Groupon Buys Stealth Silicon Valley Startup TechCrunch Groupon has continued its talent acquisition spree with the purchase of Campfire Labs, a yet-to-launch Silicon Valley startup. Campfire Labs was working on a social networking service aiming to "change the way people think of social interactions in the real world and online." Google Launches Online Election News Hub Mashable Google launched an online information hub for political elections on Monday, a day before the Iowa caucuses. The new site includes news articles sorted by candidate and issue, and links to voter resources such as the political calendar and YouTube politics channel. Android, Apple Gadgets Break Holiday Record New York Post U.S. consumers unwrapped a record number of Apple and Google gadgets on Dec. 25 — and then loaded up their new toys with apps. On Christmas Day, a record 6.8 million new Android and Apple mobile gadgets were activated, according to Flurry Analytics. Apple Event to Focus On Publishing, E-Books TechCrunch Apple will hold a product event later this month in New York. According to a source, the event will focus on publishing and e-books. Attendance will be publishing industry-oriented. The event is expected to unveil improvements to the iBooks platform and is not "major." Amazon: Kindle Fire Among 2011 Best-Sellers Dow Jones Amazon said its own Kindle Fire tablet and the Activision video game "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" ranked among the online retailer's best-selling products of 2011. Also hot: "Steve Jobs," the biography of the Apple co-founder, by Walter Isaacson. E-Book Pirates Cash In on Kindle Sales Boom Daily Mail Sales of e-reading devices rocketed through December — good news for makers such as Amazon. But there are fears that profits could be hit by the sheer number of pirate e-books available for free. Up to 20% of e-books are said to be sourced from illegal websites. Netflix Boss Gets Pay Slashed in Tough Year San Francisco Business Netflix CEO Reed Hastings will receive a $1.5 million pay cut for blunders that alienated the video subscription service's customers and pulverized its stock. The punishment will be delivered with a 50% reduction in his stock option awards, according to a regulatory filing. Apple Stock Will 'iPop' in 2012, Analyst Says New York Post Analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, a notorious Apple enthusiast, has predicted shares of the company behind the iPhone and iPad will rise more than 50% in 2012, from about $400 now to $607. High hopes are riding on Apple to enter the television market. Twitter 'Unfollows' Edelman PR Amid Changes Advertising Age Faster than you can type a 140-character tweet, the relationship between Twitter and Edelman is over. Twitter hired the PR giant in September, but the relationship "went south" within weeks, largely because of management changes at the microblogging company. AOL Patch Service Won't Stop Flow of Red Ink TheDeal Among the most damaging assertions in investor Starboard Value's open letter seeking "immediate action" at troubled Internet company AOL was the estimate that Patch may lose up to $150 million in 2011. AOL acquired the hyperlocal news service for $7 million in 2009. TheStreet CEO to Step Down Amid Investor Ire Forbes TheStreet.com is under attack by activist investment fund FiveT Capital, which is seeking a board seat and suggesting that the company's assets might be worth more sold off in pieces. The attack comes as CEO Daryl Otte has announced plans to step down. AOL Defends Strategy Amid Investor Criticism Wall Street Journal AOL has rebuffed a call by activist investor Starboard Value for "immediate action" to address the Internet company's "money-losing growth initiatives." Starboard asserted that AOL's display-ad business was incurring losses of more than $500 million a year. Yahoo Mulls Sale of 'Crown Jewel' Asian Assets New York Times The board of Yahoo is said to be considering a sale of the bulk of the company's valuable holdings in Alibaba of China and Yahoo's Japanese affiliate back to their majority owners in a complicated transaction that values the stakes at about $17 billion. Yahoo Eyes Hulu's Jason Kilar as New CEO AllThingsD Yahoo's board is said to be targeting a number of candidates, including Hulu CEO Jason Kilar, as it seeks an entrepreneurial leader to come in and revive the troubled company. Sources said Kilar has met with Yahoo board members, but his hiring "would be a long shot." Apple Guru Steve Jobs to Be Awarded Grammy CNET News Steve Jobs will be honored with a Grammy Award for helping to transform the way music is distributed and consumed. The late CEO and co-founder of Apple will be posthumously awarded one of the organization's Special Merit Awards, the Recording Academy has announced. Amazon Kindle iPad App Now Offers Magazines MSNBC The Kindle iOS app — which can be used on the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch devices — has received an update. Among the most noteworthy changes: The iPad version now grants users access to magazines, newspapers and textbooks, just like the Kindle Fire. YouTube Videos Log 1 Trillion Views in 2011 Washington Post YouTube released its top trending videos of the year, revealing that Google's online video site logged a jaw-dropping 1 trillion views in 2011. YouTube's recently madeover video channels, said a rep, are expected to become "a bigger part of Internet trends." Pandora Internet Radio Wants More Ad Dollars Wall Street Journal Arbitron is casting doubt on the validity of ratings data released by Internet radio firms, as companies such as Pandora Media seek a greater share of radio advertising dollars. Said Pandora: "The broadcast industry does not want the world to know about us." Facebook Poised to Best Google in Ad Sales ClickZ News With Facebook poised to expand its advertising initiatives in 2012, a prediction from Enders Analysis that the digital giant will reach $5.3 billion in display advertising next year seems about right. Also: Facebook plans to roll out Sponsored Stories in its news feed in January. Groupon: 'Significant Scale' with Consumers Barron's Besides first-mover advantage and global leadership, Groupon has significant scale with merchants and consumers, according to Barrington Research. "Like prior web pioneers such as Amazon, eBay and Google, Groupon created a new business category." Google to Make Media Tablet, Schmidt Says NewsFactor Google intends to make a media tablet "of the highest quality" within the next six months to compete with Apple's iPad, said chief Eric Schmidt. He also said that Google was up to the task of competing with Apple's new Siri voice -assistant software for the iPhone. Sony PlayStation Vita Sells 321,000 Units VentureBeat The Sony PlayStation Vita has sold more than 321,000 units in the first two days of sales in Japan, according to market researcher Famitsu. Sony has pinned a lot of hopes on the Vita, which is the company's answer to popular gaming apps on smartphones and tablets. MySpace Redo Includes Facebook Integration Billboard MySpace has debuted its first major product offering under new owner Specific Media. A new music player features a Facebook integration that should mark the official end of MySpace's attempt to compete for the social-networking crown. "This is a natural partnership." WebMD Won't Open Up Books to Bidders New York Post Several private-equity firms have made offers to acquire WebMD. But the bids for the health-care information site were non-binding, and suitors weren't required to provide proof that they had lined up financing. Also, WebMD has not given suitors full access to its books. Hulu: We Enjoyed Significant Growth in 2011 Search Engine Watch Hulu's audience had grown to 31.3 million unique viewers in November, up from up from 29.2 million in October, and 27.1 million in September, according to comScore. The online video site attributes the growth to factors including the addition of new content partners. Vevo Mulling Launch of Cable TV Channel Financial Times Vevo, the online music video venture of Sony Music, Universal Music and Abu Dhabi Media, is looking at launching a cable channel and eyeing Internet-connected devices as a way into the living room. Said CEO Rio Caraeff: "I don't rule out having a traditional channel." News Corp Investor Buys Stake in Twitter Associated Press Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the Saudi billionaire and second largest investor in Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., has taken a $300 million stake in Twitter. "We believe that social media will fundamentally change the media industry landscape in the coming years." Apple Talks Plans for TV with Media Giants Wall Street Journal Apple is said to be meeting with media giants to discuss its vision for the future of TV. In at least one meeting, Apple described future TV technology that would respond to users' voices and movements. Apple is also working on its own television. Microsoft, Silver Lake Mull New Yahoo Bid Reuters A consortium of Microsoft, private-equity group Silver Lake and venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz are said to be reworking their bid for a minority stake in Yahoo. The new offer would be predicated on Yahoo finding "a new, world-class" chief executive. Facebook Set for Suit Over Product 'Likes' Financial Times Facebook's practice of showing people that their friends "like" specific products could run afoul of a California law that gives both celebrities and ordinary citizens the right to control how their names and pictures are used for commercial endorsements. Google CEO Shuffles Execs in Inner Circle Reuters Google CEO Larry Page is said to have revamped the company's operating committee, swapping out several execs and bringing in managers spearheading key initiatives in mobile and social networking. Marissa Mayer is among the execs who have left the group. YouTube: Celebs to Loom Large at Debut Deadline YouTube plans to unveil its slate of professionally produced videos in January, with the initial wave of services loaded with material either from or about celebrities. The Google-owned service will give each of its channels promotional support, mostly online. AOL Loses TechCruncher as Exits Continue Uncrunched Heather Harde, CEO of the AOL tech blog TechCrunch, will step down at the end of the year as general manager of the Internet company's tech properties, including Engadget and Joystiq. "The body count at AOL is rising. Too many of were casualties of Arianna's ego." Yahoo Eyes Google Business Chief for CEO Business Insider The "buzz is deafening" that Google's chief business officer, Nikesh Arora, is on "the very short list" of candidates to become the new CEO of Yahoo. A source friendly with Yahoo board members and Google execs said: "Yes, he is on the short list." AOL TV Gets a Makeover by Huffington Post TheWrap AOL TV has been rebranded as HuffPost TV. The retooled site, huffingtonpost.com/tv, launched as part of editorial boss Arianna Huffington's ongoing makeover of AOL editorial properties. The site will feature prominent bloggers such as Aaron Sorkin and Bill Maher. Louis CK Finds Success with Online Video Site CNET News Louis Szekely, the stand-up comedian known as Louis C.K., has declared that his experiment selling an online video with no copy-protection restrictions is a success. Four days after putting a performance for sale at $5, he has made a profit of about $200,000 so far. WebMD Near Sealing Deal with Private Equity New York Post Four private-equity firms, including KKR and Providence Equity Partners, are expected to submit bids for WebMD on Monday. A sale could be "the right medicine" for investor Carl Icahn, who last month revealed a 10% stake in the moribund health info website. Glam Media Plans IPO Filing by Second Quarter Bloomberg Glam Media, a startup that helps advertisers target women online, may join the parade of Internet companies pursuing an IPO as the market rebounds from a lull earlier this year. The company is said to be planning to file for an IPO by the end of the second quarter. Say Media Eyes IPO Amid Aggressive Growth Forbes Say Media, the "biggest web publisher you've never heard of," has embarked on an aggressive expansion program, including the new acquisition of tech site ReadWriteWeb. "Next year is about how do we scale. Next year's about how do we get ready to go public." Yahoo Investor Slams Potential Stake Sale Reuters Third Point, an activist shareholder in Yahoo, has expressed concerns that the Internet company is looking at a "sweetheart" deal with private equity that could entrench founder Jerry Yang and the current board. Yahoo's strategic review should not "rob shareholders." Google Buys App for Local Recommendations TechCrunch Google has acquired the Silicon Valley-based startup Clever Sense, the maker of the mobile app "Alfred," which delivers personalized recommendations for nearby restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Google recently bought the dining ratings authority Zagat. SAY Media Acquires Tech Blog ReadWriteWeb Adweek SAY Media has acquired popular tech blog ReadWriteWeb. The financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 2003 by Richard MacManus, ReadWriteWeb became one of the most-respected news sites in the tech world, with a voice that is often more serious than its rivals. Glenn Beck Web TV to Launch Reality Series Deadline GBTV, Glenn Beck's live streaming video network, has picked up its first reality series, "Independence U.S.A." The show follows Frank Belcastro and his family as they try to become completely independent and self-sufficient and prepare for life "off the grid." Hulu Unveils Spanish-Language Video Service WorldScreen Hulu has launched a dedicated Spanish-language programming service, Hulu Latino, featuring content from Univision, Caracol Televisión and Comarex, among others. The new hub can be found by accessing a new Hulu Latino tab on the top of the Hulu home page. Apple Loses Mobile-Ad Market Share to Google Bloomberg Apple is losing ground to Google and Millennial Media in the U.S. mobile-advertising industry this year, according to research firm IDC. Google, which leads the market, will see its share rise to 24% from 19% in 2010. "This is primarily a story about Apple's weakness." YouTube Launches Video Service for Schools BBC News YouTube has launched a new school-friendly version. YouTube For Schools promises classrooms access to educational videos without the risk of pupils being "distracted by the latest music video." The Google-owned site has put together playlists according to subject. AOL Combines Dial-Up, Web Services in Reorg Bloomberg AOL chief Tim Armstrong plans to reorganize the company to combine its dial-up Internet access business with its web services. Four business units will be created under the new structure. AOL has no plans to sell or spin off any part of its business, Armstrong said. Netflix Poised for Bidding War from Verizon Bid Bloomberg Verizon is "very serious" about a bid to acquire Netflix, according to Porter Bibb, managing partner at Mediatech Capital. The U.S. phone giant may kick off a bidding war for the online movie provider that could result in a sale by Easter for about $4.6 billion. Cuban Invests in Brotips Men's Advice Website TechCrunch Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur, has invested an undisclosed sum in Brotips, a men's advice website. Rather than bury advice in long articles like men's magazines, Brotips covers the home page of its site with succinct ways for guys to improve their lives. Amazon: Steve Jobs Bio Best-Seller for 2011 San Jose Business "Steve Jobs," released in October, was the No. 1 best-selling book of 2011, according to Amazon.com. Walter Isaacson's authorized biography has seen "phenomenal" sales in both print and Kindle formats. Also, two of Amazon's top 10 books were independently published. Microsoft Eyes Two NBC Veterans for Xbox Bloomberg Microsoft is said to be seeking to hire a TV exec to develop original shows as part of a drive to expand its Xbox Live game console. Former NBC execs Marc Graboff and Jeff Gaspin have been approached. Microsoft is trying to turn the Xbox into an entertainment hub. YouTube Acquires Music Royalty Processor New York Times YouTube has acquired RightsFlow, an upstart company in New York that processes royalties for the music industry, in an effort to streamline its often complex relations with music publishers. YouTube announced the deal on a company blog; terms were not disclosed. Apple Releases List of Top-Selling Media Apps TheWrap Apple has released the list of the top-selling apps, albums, TV shows and more from its iTunes store. "Angry Birds" topped three separate lists. It was the most popular paid iPhone app, paid iPad app and free iPad app. "Steve Jobs" was the top nonfiction seller. Amazon Kindle Fire May Be 'Edsel of Tablets' New York Times The Kindle Fire, Amazon's new tablet, is less than a blazing success with many early users. The most disgruntled are packing the device up and firing it back to the retailer. "The Fire is going to be a failure," said one usability expert. "I can't recommend buying it." Forrester: Web Is Dead; App Internet Coming Memeburn The "inefficient" web will die, according to Forrester Research CEO George Colony, speaking at the Le Web conference in Paris. It will be replaced by the "faster" app Internet. Apple is a leader in the space. "Web huggers" like Google and Facebook may be in trouble. AOL Creates Post to Lead Website Ad Sales ClickZ News AOL has promoted Jim Norton to lead ad sales for its owned and operated sites, including the Huffington Post, Engadget and MapQuest. The position is a new one, invented to consolidate direct sales activities and free up time for chief revenue officer Ned Brody Twitter, Facebook Lauded for Changing World AFP Social media and online activism is changing global politics, holding governments and their leaders accountable in ways unthinkable before the Internet existed, activists said at a conference on Internet freedom in The Hague. "Every citizen can use Twitter to broadcast." Monster Job Recruiter Seen Ripe for Takeover Bloomberg Monster Worldwide, the subject of at least 20 takeover rumors in the past five years, may finally be cheap enough to lure a private equity buyer. "The valuation is absurdly cheap." Google, LinkedIn and Gannett are seen as ideal suitors for the online job-recruiting company. BuzzFeed to Hire Politico Writer, Journalists New York Times BuzzFeed, a site where the editors and algorithms sift the web in search of viral articles, has decided that it needs articles of its own. The site is appointing Politico writer Ben Smith to hire more than a dozen reporters, seeking to "break scoops and draw attention." HuffPost, El Pais Team for El Huffington Post Capital New York The Huffington Post has signed a deal with Spanish newspaper El Pais to produce a new edition of the news brand. El Huffington Post, as it will be called, will carve out a nook in the Madrid headquarters of the top-selling Spanish daily to house the website's local team. Hulu Adds Pop-Up Biographies of Actors Engadget Hulu has added technology producing clickable squares on every actor's face, which immediately pull up their background information. So far, the feature on the video website is only set up for a few episodes of "Glee," "The Office," "Wilfred", "Modern Family" and "Lost." Yahoo to Launch Original Comedy Channel Hollywood Reporter Yahoo plans to launch a Yahoo Comedy Channel with original video content, featuring such comedians as Mike O'Brien and Seth Morris, in the company's latest sign of commitment to premium content. The channel will launch with an exclusive Bill Maher stand-up show. Apple Store Opens in Grand Central Terminal New York Daily News Apple is opening its fifth Manhattan store in the midtown Grand Central Terminal on Friday, aiming to capture commuters' dollars. The company toned down its sleek design aesthetic to conform to the 140-year-old train station's landmark status. Twitter Unveils Mobile Ads, Better Brand Pages ClickZ News Twitter has unveiled a new website design during an event at the company's future headquarters. In addition to enhanced profile pages, the revamp includes key marketing implications, including ads running on Twitter's mobile app and more robust brand pages. Google Debuts Digital Magazine for Devices Associated Press Google has joined a crowd of companies packaging digital content in a magazine-like format for mobile devices. The Internet search leader's version, called Currents, works on smartphones and tablets running on its Android software, as well as Apple's operating system. Apple Third-Gen iPad May Arrive in February New York Post Apple's third-generation iPad may hit stores sooner than expected. The iPad 3 could be released as soon as February, according to reports — earlier than previous estimates of March or April. The new iPad may boast a screen with twice the resolution of current iPads. AOL's Patch Gets a Little Less Hyper-Local Advertising Age AOL had hoped to reach 1,000 Patch sites by the end of 2011. But now comes word that Patch is consolidating sites in New Jersey and California, fueling speculation inside the hyper-local news organization that CEO Tim Armstrong's local bet was too ambitious. Google Launches 'Activity Engine' with Media TechCrunch Google has unveiled Schemer, an activity recommendations portal that allows people to "discover new things to do" based on their location and interests. Google has teamed with media partners for "schemes," including Bravo, Time Out and Thrillist, as well as its own Zagat. Verizon, RedBox Team for Streaming Service TechCrunch Verizon is said to be planning a partnership with DVD-rental kiosk firm RedBox to launch a TV and movie streaming and download service in May 2012. The subscription service, called Project Zoetrope internally, will be available on a broad variety of platforms. Netflix Sharing on Facebook May Be Coming Associated Press Netflix has developed a feature to automatically connect what's being watched on its Internet video service with Facebook's social network. But a 1988 law forbids the disclosure of video rental records. Netflix said it is time to rewrite a law drawn up in an age of VHS tapes. LivingSocial Valued at $6 Billion in Funding Bloomberg LivingSocial, the online-coupon provider that competes with Groupon, is said to have lined up $400 million in funding that gives it a valuation of about $6 billion. The investment will come from both existing and new backers. LivingSocial mulled an IPO earlier this year. AOL Taps General for 'Special Forces' Mission Washington Post AOL CEO Tim Armstrong sent out an end-of-the-year note to fire up his "AOLers," revealing that the company has hired the McChrystal Group, a consulting firm led by retired U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, which offers "an elite team of Special Forces leadership." Apple in E-Book Pricing Probe by Justice Dept Wall Street Journal The U.S. Justice Department said it is investigating the pricing of e-books, the latest antitrust watchdog to probe whether there was improper collusion by Apple and publishers to prevent discounting. The European Commission recently announced a similar investigation. Verizon to Take On Netflix with Web Service Reuters Verizon plans to launch a standalone service allowing customers to stream movies and TV shows over the web, in a fresh challenge to Netflix and traditional cable TV. The phone company is currently talking with prospective programming partners about the service. Netflix CEO Sees 'Arms Race' in Online TV Bloomberg Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said he sees an "arms race" to dominate web-based TV viewing, with Time Warner's HBO Go service his top rival. "HBO is becoming more Netflix-like and we're becoming more HBO-like. The two of us will compete for a very long time." Yahoo to Build Video Studio in New York City Hollywood Reporter Yahoo's new facility on 40th Street in Manhattan will open in March with 5,000 square feet, two sets and seven edit rooms, adding an East Coast presence to its Sunnyvale and Santa Monica studios in California. The new studio shows "Yahoo's commitment to video." Facebook Flaw Exposes CEO's Private Photos ZD Net A flaw in Facebook has allowed users to access private photos that were hidden from view, through no less than the social network's own image reporting tool. Photos have been taken directly from CEO Mark Zuckerberg's private collection on his profile and posted. Amazon Acquires 450 Children's Book Titles Reuters Amazon has agreed to acquire more than 450 U.S. children's book titles from publisher Marshall Cavendish. The deal will help Amazon's publishing business expand into picture books, chapter books and young-adult novels. Amazon did not disclose a purchase price. Hulu Market Value $3 Billion, Chernin Says Variety In the view of former News Corp. exec Peter Chernin, the rise of Netflix has been "remarkably positive for the business." He also remains bullish on the long-term prospects for Hulu, calling it "a phenomenal thing to own" and pegged its market value at around $3 billion. Vevo Plans Expansion Beyond Music Videos Business Insider Similar to the evolution that MTV went through 20 years ago, Vevo is mulling expansion into original programming beyond music videos. "I can tell you what we're not interested in," said CEO Rio Caraeff. "We're not interested in buying a distressed cable asset." Yahoo Braces for Wave of Exits After Holidays Wall Street Journal Many Yahoo staffers are said to be considering other opportunities as morale declines and the Silicon Valley job market remains hot. Company execs are bracing for a jump in departures following the holidays and the bonus season, which typically occurs early in the year. AOL is Ford Motor of the Internet, CEO Says New York Times It's not easy being the Ford Motor of the Internet. And that, in short, is the predicament facing AOL, according to CEO Tim Armstrong. "I think from the standpoint of, we're in the middle of the industrial revolution for information, and we happen to be the Ford brand." Apple, E-Book Publishers Face Probe by EU Bloomberg Apple and five e-book publishers are being investigated by European Union antitrust regulators over deals that may restrict sales across the region. The probe will examine deals between Apple and publishers including Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster and Penguin. StumbleUpon Unveils Redo with 250 Brands Fast Company StumbleUpon, the discovery engine that enables users to "stumble" onto personalized web content, has unveiled a major redesign, including the addition of brand channels. More than 250 brand partners from Audi to ESPN signed on. "Mobile is going to be big for us." Twitter Reveals 2011 'Most Tweeted' Stories Huffington Post Mubarak's resignation, the raid on Osama bin Laden, and the Japanese earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster were among the most tweeted about world news stories of the year. Among other "hot topics" on Twitter: "Two and a Half Men" and Mac App Store. Microsoft Xbox Adds Entertainment Channels San Jose Mercury News Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming console is revamping to add access to a swath of new digital entertainment content, including video channels from YouTube, HBO and Epix, and digital music from iHeartRadio. "Our vision for the living room is to bring you all the entertainment you want." Hollywood, Silicon Valley Battle Over Piracy Los Angeles Times Old media such as Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox are backing tough new bills in Congress to give the Justice Department powers to shut down websites that host pirated material. But new media such as Google and Facebook see the proposed legislation as a threat. Internet Destroys Original Work, Book Says New York Post The culture business as we know it may not survive the digital age, warns author Robert Levine in the new book, "Free Ride." The easy, illegal availability of all kinds of content "has undermined the legal market for it, in a way that affects the entire media business." Yahoo to Bid for German Soccer Highlights Reuters Yahoo plans to bid for rights to show online highlights of German soccer matches, its head of German operations told a magazine. "Only the Internet rights are of interest for us." Yahoo would bid for highlights to appear online before or after they are shown on television. NYC Startups Get Snapped Up In M&A Flurry Crain's New York Acquisition fever has hit New York's tech scene. Venture capital funding in the region topped $890 million in the third quarter, putting New York in the No. 2 spot behind Silicon Valley — and ahead of Boston — for only the second time in a decade. "It's a great time for New York." Facebook Acquires Gowalla in 'Perfect Match' CNNMoney Facebook is said to have acquired the location-sharing service Gowalla for an undisclosed sum. Launched in 2009, Gowalla went head-to-head with direct rival Foursquare — and lost. Badly trailing Foursquare, the company recently recast itself as a travel guide. Google Wins Justice Dept OK for AdMeld Buy Washington Post The Justice Department has given the green light to Google's $400 million acquisition of AdMeld, a major display advertising company that helps online publishers sell their ads. Display ads are a fast-growing business; Google already dominates the sale of text ads. Twitter: Old Media Execs Too Busy, Private Reuters Many media execs are too busy to tweet or engage with Twitter very much themselves. Digital reluctance is particularly strong amongst "old media" leaders, who told last week's Reuters Global Media Summit they were uncomfortable with sharing personal information. Yahoo Shuts Down Four Entertainment Blogs TheWrap Yahoo has been experimenting with original editorial content, but has back stepped a bit by announcing the closure of its music, film, television and celebrity blogs — The Amplifier, The Projector, The Set and The Famous. Yahoo said it is "continuing to invest" in content. YouTube Revamps as Cable TV for Digital Age CNBC Google has unveiled a new design for YouTube to help make the video site more like cable TV for the digital age. The changes build on YouTube's October announcement of 100 new channels from professional partners. The new polished look is expected to appeal to advertisers. Google in Talks to Challenge Amazon in Retail Wall Street Journal Google is in talks with major retailers and shippers about creating a service that would let consumers shop for goods online and receive their orders within a day for a low fee. The effort would challenge the e-commerce supremacy of the $79-a-year Amazon Prime program. AOL Chief Targets Mobile-Ad Sales for Growth Bloomberg AOL aims to boost its mobile-advertising revenue into double digits as a percentage of the Internet company's total ad sales in the next 18 months, said CEO Tim Armstrong. "Mobile is an opportunity to grow. I wouldn't rule out that we're going to be aggressive" in acquisitions. Twitter Offers Self-Serve Ads in 'Important Step' AllThingsD Twitter has launched a self-serve option for its advertising platform. The service is still in test mode, and only open to a handful of advertisers. But those who can use it can buy ads directly via Twitter, using a credit card and a web browser, without having to talk to a human being. Groupon Ad Practices in Probe by UK Regulator Bloomberg Groupon is being investigated by Britain's Office of Fair Trading over concerns including exaggerated savings. "Given Groupon's track record, we have serious concerns about its ability to adhere to the advertising code," said the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority. Facebook Is 'Unfriendly' to Major News Outlets Fox News Facebook has shared a list of what it called "The Most Shared Articles of 2011," which purports to measure the year's most talked-about stories. But the list misses some of the most intriguing news stories as reported major news outlets, including Fox News, MSNBC, AOL and others. Hulu Sale May Still Be in Future of Video Site Variety The owners of Hulu may still be open to selling the joint venture in the future, according to Jon Miller, chief digital officer at News Corp., who indicated that possibility in an appearance at an industry confab. Hulu's owners first attempted to unload the video site in June. Yahoo Takeover Bid Eyed by Alibaba-Led Group Bloomberg Alibaba and Softbank are said to be in advanced talks with Blackstone and Bain Capital about making a bid for all of Yahoo. A bid may value Yahoo at more than $20 a share. Some Yahoo investors said they would prefer the company be sold in its entirety, at a higher price. Twitter Predicts 'Massive Business' in Ad Model CNNMoney Adam Bain, Twitter chief revenue officer, won't reveal specific numbers, but said the microblogging service's advertising-fueled business model is succeeding. Twitter now has 2,400 advertisers, up from 1,600 in the spring. "This is going to be a massive business." Napster Faces Last Day of Existence in Merger CNNMoney Napster, the music-industry scourge that blazed a trail that led to modern digital music services, is about to head off into its final good night. On Thursday, Napster will be merged officially with Rhapsody, the largest on-demand music service in the United States. Spotify Aims to Be Platform for All Things Music CNBC Music lovers know Spotify as an app that enables users to share what they are listening to on Facebook. The company has announced that it is turning into a platform for other apps, transforming into a rival to music offerings from Apple, Google and Amazon. Google is Urged to Ban Content from Terrorists WebProNews Sen. Joe Lieberman is calling on Google to ban all terrorist material, following the arrest of Jose Pimentel this month for plotting a bomb attack in New York City. Pimental's website was hosted by Google's blog service. Terrorists are said to be "propagating ideology" through Google. Yahoo to Attract Stake Bid from Microsoft Group New York Times A consortium of investors led by the private-equity firm Silver Lake and Microsoft is said to be one of several parties that will be submitting a plan to take a minority stake in Yahoo. TPG Capital, another private equity firm, is also expected to submit a proposal. Facebook Admits Mistakes in Privacy Settlement San Francisco Business Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg created two new top exec jobs at his online social network, both of them focused on privacy protection. Facebook created the posts after settling a privacy complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. "We've made a bunch of mistakes." Netflix Viewing Expected to Swell Cable TV Bills Bloomberg Time Warner Cable and U.S. pay-TV companies, weighing how to profit from Internet demand spurred by Netflix and Hulu, are on the verge of instituting new fees on web-access customers who use the most. At least one cable operator may institute usage-based billing next year. Apple Plans Voice-Controlled Connected TVs New Media Age Apple is said to be developing a connected TV that responds to voice and motion control, due to launch next year. The company is developing the product, called iTV, to synchronize with other Apple devices, including iPads and iPhones, while building in the ability to download movies. Microsoft Eyes Entry Into Scripted Television Deadline Microsoft is said to have hired a headhunter to search for an exec to serve as a head of scripted television. The software giant recently has explored scripted TV for its video-game console Xbox. Original content has finally become the new frontier for big Internet companies. Hulu Seeking TV Deals for Launch in Germany GigaOM Hulu is looking to launch in Germany, according to a report by German media news site Horizont.net. Hulu senior VP Johannes Larcher and consultant Olaf Kroll are said to be talking to German TV networks to strike content deals for a launch in the country. Google's Admeld Deal Nears Federal Approval AllThingsD Google's deal to buy advertising tech start-up Admeld, announced in June, looks like it is finally ready to close. The U.S. Justice Department, which has been reviewing the $400 million transaction, is expected to approve the deal, perhaps as early as this Friday. Facebook Targets IPO at $100 Billion Valuation Wall Street Journal Facebook is said to be targeting a time frame of April to June 2012 for an initial public offering that it hopes will value the company at more than $100 billion. The social-networking firm is exploring raising $10 billion in its IPO — which would be one of the largest offerings ever. Yahoo U.S. Operations Eyed by Private Equity Reuters Thomas H. Lee Partners is said to be interested in buying the U.S. operations of Yahoo. The private-equity firm hopes to draw on its experience running other media assets, such as Nielsen and Clear Channel, to turn around the ailing Internet company. AOL Not Chasing Yahoo, Still Gets Top Talent Reuters AOL chief Tim Armstrong remains committed to keeping the company independent and is not looking at Yahoo's assets, even as larger rivals seek to consolidate. The former Google exec reiterates the company's strategy of growing the AOL brand into a media powerhouse. Twitter Buys Whisper Mobile Security Startup Wall Street Journal Twitter has acquired a two-person startup called Whisper Systems, whose technology protects people's mobile-phone calls and text messages from being obtained by third parties such as governments. Whisper's services were used by activists during the "Arab spring." Google to Launch Awards for Data Journalism Journalism.co.uk Google will partner with the Global Editors Network to offer a new data journalism contest aimed at both "established news organizations and newcomers." The awards will offer a total prize fund of $60,000 across six categories, including data-driven mobile or web apps. Apple iPad-Crazed Toddlers Spur Holiday Sales Bloomberg Among kids age 6 to 12, the iPad is the most-wanted holiday gift for the second year in a row, according to Nielsen. Also, most iPad buyers have children in their households, estimates BlueKai. Moreover, the tablet's growth is increasing demand for kid-oriented content. Microsoft's Xbox Live Near Entertainment Deals New York Post Microsoft's Xbox Live is preparing to unleash a host of fresh entertainment partners along with a redesigned user interface, deeper Facebook integration and a new voice-command search function. Xbox Live aims to evolve into a global "social entertainment network." Yahoo Sale Seen Unlikely Amid Wall Street Jitters Financial Times Yahoo would use the cash from selling a large minority stake in the company to pay for deals that could breathe new life into its existing Internet properties. While a sale of the whole company has not been ruled out, Wall Street has a diminished appetite for such large deals. Microsoft Signs Confidentiality Pact with Yahoo New York Times Microsoft has signed a confidentiality agreement with Yahoo, joining other potential bidders like the private-equity firms Silver Lake and TPG Capital. The software giant, however, is seen as unlikely to pursue its own takeover attempt. Instead, Microsoft may aid others. Facebook Faces EC Crackdown on Ad Model Telegraph Facebook is facing a crackdown on how it exploits vast amounts of its users' most personal data to sell advertising. The European Commission, citing privacy implications, plans to stop the way the social network "eavesdrops" on its users to gather information. Amazon is Most Visited in Black Friday E-Boom TechCrunch Some 50 million Americans visited online retail sites on Black Friday, which is an increase of 35% versus year ago, according to comScore. Each of the top five retail sites achieved double-digit gains in visitors versus last year, led by Amazon. Wal-Mart ranked second. Groupon, LivingSocial Are Hot for the Holidays USA Today Daily-deals sites such as LivingSocial, Groupon and Gilt are becoming a go-to source for gift-giving this year as shoppers become more attracted to their steep savings. Starting on Cyber Monday, LivingSocial will offer a voucher for half off on wine at Wine.com. Microsoft Acquires Video Website Search Outfit TechCrunch Microsoft has acquired video search tech firm VideoSurf for about $70 million. The San Mateo, Calif.-based company's technology is able to scan a wide range of video websites — Hulu, Dailymotion, Metacafe and others — enabling users to quickly find specific videos. Hulu Brings Classic TV Sitcoms to Subscribers Variety Hulu has struck a deal with Carsey Werner to license 11 vintage sitcoms, including "The Cosby Show" and "3rd Rock From the Sun," for its subscription service. The Hulu Plus pact does not include some of Carsey Werner's most prominent titles, including "Roseanne." TiVo Reports First Subscriber Increase in Years CNET News TiVo seems to have finally found its groove again, as the company saw its first increase in total subscriptions in four years. The key takeaway point: TiVo stopped focusing on retail sales and is distributing more through cable companies — a strategy that appears to have worked. Vevo Seeks Ad Deal with YouTube Ahead of IPO New York Post Vevo is said to be trying to negotiate a new advertising pact with Google's YouTube. The online music hub, run by CEO Rio Caraeff, is looking to boost its share of ad revenue before it considers going public, which sources say could happen in the next 18 months. EMarketer: 90 Million to Use Tablets by 2014 eMarketer Tablet devices have only been available for a couple years, but the iPad has propelled them to rapid increases in ownership and usage. EMarketer estimates that the number of American tablet users will rise to nearly 90 million, or 35.6% of all Internet users, by 2014. Facebook to Make Social-Powered Smartphone AllThingsD Facebook has tapped Taiwanese cellphone maker HTC to build a smartphone that has the social network integrated at the core of its being. Code-named "Buffy," after the TV vampire slayer, the phone is planned to run on a version of Google's Android operating system. Google, Samsung in Talks to Launch Google TV Reuters Samsung is in last-stage talks with Google to roll out its Google TVs. Samsung in January displayed a new Google TV-enabled Blu-ray player and companion box at the Consumer Electronics Show, but did not commercialize the offerings. EBay to Help Consumers Buy Products from TV Bloomberg EBay will begin offering TV-commerce software as part of its iPad app, allowing users to browse merchandise from TV shows and movies. The company aims to leverage its role as the largest online marketplace, with 200 million listings and 58 million mobile users. Netflix to Raise $400 Million in Recovery Effort Associated Press Netflix has raised $400 million as the video subscription service tries to recover from a customer backlash that has battered its stock and tarnished its brand. The decision to issue more debt and stock may rattle some investors still worried about Netflix's recovery. Netflix Revives 'Arrested Development' Sitcom CNET News Emmy-winning cult sitcom "Arrested Development" is being revived with all-new episodes, thanks in part to Netflix's continuing push toward becoming an HBO-like purveyor of original content. Brand-new episodes will start streaming on U.S. Netflix beginning in 2013. Google's Brin Donates $500,000 to Wikipedia Ars Technica The foundation created by Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife, Anne Wojcicki, has given a $500,000 grant to help Wikipedia fund its $28.3 million annual budget. While the donation is a serious one, it is far from enough to cover Wikipedia's expenses. Facebook to Go Public Next Year, Investor Says Telegraph Mark Zuckerberg will take Facebook public early next year, said Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and a significant investor in the site, in what could be the biggest consumer tech public offering in history. Going public would give Facebook "currency to do acquisitions." LivingSocial Set to Raise Nearly $200 Million New York Times LivingSocial is said to be aiming to raise close to $200 million from new and old investors. As part of the transaction, the daily deals site is also discussing a credit facility of about $100 million. The deal, expected to close next week, should value the company north of $5 billion. AOL Upbeat Despite Exodus of Execs, Editorial Financial Times AOL is facing an exodus of top talent even as the owner of the Huffington Post and TechCrunch insists it is betting on premium content to resurrect the fading Internet brand. At least three top names have departed this month. Said AOL: "We don't comment on any departures." Huffington Builds Her 'HuffPost-AOL' Empire New York Arianna Huffington is subsuming AOL media into her personal brand, according to a profile in New York magazine. Some observers contend that she will end up running AOL. Her five-year plan, she told employees, is to become a competitor with the New York Times. Internet Billionaire Cuban to Publish E-Book Wall Street Journal Mark Cuban, the Internet billionaire and owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, has written an e-book, "How to Win at the Sport of Business." Culled from blog postings Cuban has made over the years, it will be available for $2.99 through online digital-book retailers. Apple iPhone is Tops Among Mobile Workers Los Angeles Times Apple's iPhone is the top smartphone among mobile workers, according to the iPass Global Mobile Workforce Report. The iPhone now holds 45% of the smartphone market share. "BlackBerry has not really fallen from the top spot in so much as other smartphones have grown faster." Amazon Said to Prepare a Smartphone for 2012 AllThingsD Amazon just rolled out a full-fledged tablet. Next year, according to the research department at Citigroup, the company could have its own smartphone: "Based on our supply chain channel checks in Asia, we believe an Amazon smartphone will be launched in 4Q12." Pandora Music to Pursue Political Ad Dollars Wall Street Journal Pandora is among the online media outlets aiming to capture political advertising dollars. The digital-music service is offering candidates ways to buy ads that are targeted at congressional districts, using zip code data gathered when consumers sign up for an account. Angie's List Shares Surge Amid Web IPO Boom Fox Business Shares of Angie's List surged more than 40% in their Nasdaq debut, as online-related IPOs continue to attract strong demand, at least early on. The company runs a subscription-only website that allows consumers to post and access reviews of local service providers. Yelp Cries for $100 Million in Plan to Go Public Associated Press Yelp is hoping investors give it a five-star rating, as the popular online review website plans to raise $100 million in an IPO. The San Francisco-based site, best known for reviews of restaurants and bars, produces most of its revenue from local business advertising. Zynga Shakes Up Management Ahead of IPO AllThingsD Zynga plans to unveil key management and board changes in the run-up to the online gaming phenom's IPO. Chief business officer Owen Van Natta, a former CEO of Myspace, will step down from his job and become a strategic adviser focusing on major partnerships. TechCrunch CEO Is Latest to Resign from AOL Forbes TechCrunch CEO Heather Harde, a former News Corp. exec, is said to be the latest to resign from AOL. The standoff between TechCrunch founder Mike Arrington, who exited in September, and editorial boss Arianna Huffington left "some pretty bad vibes." Gawker Media to Sell Fleshbot Adult Content Site AllThingsD Gawker Media has put its adult content website Fleshbot up for sale. The site has been operated for eight years in addition to sites like Gizmodo and Deadspin. Fleshbot has been kept at a distance from Gawker's other properties, at least when it came to advertising and PR. Google Takes On Apple with Digital Music Service Rolling Stone Google has officially launched Google Music, its free digital music service, which will incorporate user recommendation features and connectivity with the Google+ social network. The company also plans to compete with Apple on mobile devices by selling users songs. AOL Key Exec Departs Amid New Focus on Media GigaOM Brad Garlinghouse, president of the AOL's applications and commerce group is leaving the beleaguered online service. Insiders said that the company is focusing more of its resources on "media," or rather a web media approach championed by the Huffington Post team. Huffington Post Launches Local Edition in Detroit HuffPost The Huffington Post is rolling out its latest local section, HuffPost Detroit. Co-founder Arianna Huffington writes: "We motor into the Motor City with a clear editorial mission: to provide an alternative to the knee-jerk narrative the national media love to tell about Detroit." Netflix in Talks to Acquire Another Original Series TheStreet Netflix is said to be near a deal with Lionsgate to order 13 episodes of the original series "Orange is the New Black," from "Weeds" creator Jenji Kohan. Netflix already outbid HBO for the original series "House of Cards," produced by Kevin Spacey and David Fincher. Netflix Signs Up Miramax Ahead of UK Launch Next Web Netflix continues to build out its offering in U.K. and Ireland with the announcement it has signed a deal with Miramax to bring its catalog of movies to subscribers when it launches early next year. Earlier in the week, Netflix confirmed an agreement with Lionsgate. Penguin Launches Digital Self-Publishing Service Wall Street Journal Penguin is launching a service to help writers publish their own books. For a fee of between $99 and $549, plus a cut of any sales revenue, Penguin will offer an array of tools help writers make their work available through digital book outlets and print-on-demand services. Gawker Media Aims to Block Boring Commenters Advertising Age Gawker Media chief Nick Denton has plans in the works for a product launch to enhance his websites' commenting, in the hopes of attracting smarter readers. He names NBC's Brian Williams as a Gawker devotee who is a model for the kind of commenter he wants to attract. Huffington Post Tech Wizard Stepping Back Forbes Huffington Post chief technology officer Paul Berry, the exec responsible for the site's "hyper responsive secret sauce," is taking a step back from his day-to-day duties. Berry is said to be transitioning into a role that will be more "strategic" and less focused on operations. Google's Content Deals Unnerve Old Media Crain's New York Google's recent deals, from Disney to Zagat, have given the search giant even more clout with advertisers. "Google is becoming a little more like a portal," said Benchmark analyst Clayton Moran. "Keeping users within its sites generates more advertising opportunities." YouTube Rolls Out First Original TV Channel Multichannel News Clevver Media has launched an online TV channel on YouTube, the Spanish-language entertainment news channel ClevverTeVe, making it first of some 96 partners producing professional content for the site. YouTube is pumping about $100 million into the effort. Google Invite Hints at Launch of Music Store San Jose Business Google has sent out invitations to an event Wednesday that reportedly will be about its new online music store. The search giant, however, is said to have yet to reach licensing deals with all four major labels — Universal Music, Warner Music, Sony Music and EMI. Twitter Exec Departs Media Partnerships Team Next Web Robin Sloan, who has worked at Twitter for two years on the media partnerships team, has announced his own departure via the microblogging service. When asked via Twitter about his future plans, Sloan answered: "Make a waffle & watch some movies." Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet Includes Newsstand Digital Trends Amazon has announced that its new Kindle Fire will be coming preloaded with Hulu Plus and the Kindle Fire Newsstand. The new tablet will provide access to more than 400 newspapers and magazines, including a free three-month trial subscription offer for Conde Nast titles. Netflix in Lionsgate Deal Ahead of UK Launch Telegraph Netflix has signed its first U.K. content deal with Lionsgate, the production company behind "Reservoir Dogs," ahead of its British launch. The leading online film and TV subscription service will launch in the U.K. in "early 2012," but has yet to announce an exact date. Google TV Plans Debut at January Trade Show Bloomberg Google and LG may be preparing to unveil a television using the search giant's software at the January Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Support from TV manufacturer LG may boost Google's attempt to bring its dominance in Internet search to living rooms. Facebook Near Settlement on Privacy Charges Wall Street Journal Facebook is said to be close to a settlement with the U.S. government over charges that it misled users about its use of their personal data. The settlement would require Facebook to obtain user consent before making "material retroactive changes" to its privacy policies. Google+ Social Network Has No Plans for Ads Direct Marketing News Google has no plans to run advertising in its Google+ social network, said Christian Oestlien, an exec with the search giant, during an address at the ad:tech New York conference. "Google is very disciplined about focusing on building a great consumer experience." Twitter Marketing VP Is Latest Exec to Depart Bloomberg Pam Kramer, a marketing VP at Twitter, has left the company after less than three months, becoming the latest exec to depart under CEO Dick Costolo. PR head Sean Garrett announced his exit this week, and engineering VP Mike Abbott resigned last month. WikiLeaks: Twitter Must Turn Over Information Associated Press A judge has sided with U.S. government attorneys investigating the disclosure of classified documents on WikiLeaks, and upheld a ruling that Twitter must turn over account data to prosecutors. The court order is seeking the IP addresses associated with the accounts. Ashton Kutcher Joins Twitter Quitter Celebrities Wired Ashton Kutcher, known as the first Twitter user to rack up 1 million followers, has backed off the service after his "uninformed" tweet about the Penn State controversy set off a Twitterstorm. Kutcher joins a long list of celebrities who first embraced Twitter, then turned away. RIM's BlackBerry Perceived as No Longer Cool Los Angeles Times The BlackBerry, once the undisputed leader of the smartphone industry, has rapidly lost ground to Apple's iPhone and devices that run Google's Android software. Even longtime users acknowledge there is something "decidedly uncool" about owning the device. Apple iPad Faces Holiday Rivalry from Kindle Fire Digital Trends Apple's iPad finally has some serious competition, according to a survey by consumer electronics shopping site Retrevo. U.S. shoppers interested in buying an iPad this holiday season are outnumbered by more than three times by those interested in Amazon's Kindle Fire. Facebook, Twitter Show Social Media 'Mean Side' Bloomberg Facebook and Twitter are popular sites for making friends, but teens have also seen their unfriendly side — 88% of them report having witnessed cruel behavior, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. "Social media presents a climate of drama." Reddit Traffic Skyrockets After Exiting Conde Nast VentureBeat Reddit brought in more than 1.9 billion page views and had over 29 million unique visitors during October, according to the news-sharing site. Reddit, which was spun off by Conde Nast in September, has continued its strategy of strengthening its smaller communities. Google VP Interviews Martha About Social Media min Google VP Marissa Mayer interviewed Martha Stewart for the @Google Talks series this week. Martha Stewart's page is among the first from a media brand on the new Google+ social network. The otherwise poised Stewart seemed to drop the F-bomb during the talk. Yahoo Takeover Eyed by Asia's Alibaba, Softbank Bloomberg Alibaba and Softbank are said to be talking with private-equity funds about making a bid for all of Yahoo without the company's blessing. Alibaba and Softbank, in an effort to buy back stakes owned by Yahoo, have grown impatient with a lack of progress in direct talks. Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL Confirm Mega Partnership ClickZ Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL have confirmed plans to pool together their unsold advertising inventory in a deal that aims to augment the reach available to agencies and advertisers. Yahoo exec Ross Levinsohn has been cited as chief architect of the arrangement. Facebook Hires Team from Mobile Tech Developer Reuters Facebook has picked up a team of mobile tech developers from a small San Francisco start-up company, bolstering the social network's efforts to expand its offerings on smartphones and tablet PCs. Facebook said it completed a "talent acquisition" from Strobe Corp. AOL 'Big News' Editor to Depart for Betaworks AllThingsD Saul Hansell, the former New York Times tech reporter who went to AOL several years ago to head one of its content efforts called Seed, will leave the company to become an entrepreneur in residence at Betaworks. "I've got some ideas around news that I want to explore." Twitter PR Chief Announces Departure Via Tweets TechCrunch Twitter head of communications Sean Garrett has announced that he is leaving the company via a series of tweets. When asked to confirm his departure, a Twitter communications rep said: "I think his tweets speak for themselves." It remains unclear who will replace him. Yelp Consumer-Review Site Eyes $2 Billion IPO Wall Street Journal Investors will soon get the chance to give Yelp a rating of their own, as the online consumer-review company plans for an initial public offering that could value the company between $1 billion and $2 billion. Yelp tapped Goldman Sachs and Citigroup to lead an IPO. Microsoft, Sony Game Devices Preferred by Viewers Digital Trends Gaming consoles have become the preferred method within U.S. households for watching online movies, TV and web video, according to a study from Strategy Analytics. Approximately 12% of U.S. households use a Sony PlayStation 3 or Microsoft Xbox 360 to consume online media. Google TV Gets a High-Def Adult Content Channel VentureBeat Google TV, the search giant's combo hardware-software entertainment endeavor, could be on its way to attracting a larger male customer base, as adult-content studio Vivid Entertainment is now streaming explicit video by way of a new app. Vivid for Google TV will be in high def. Twitter Looks to TV, Media Partnerships for Growth Wall Street Journal Twitter analysis companies Mass Relevance and Crimson Hexagon now have unfettered access to the more than 250 million tweets broadcast every day so that they can directly work on media partnerships. Mass Relevance also has permission from Twitter to line up advertisers. Facebook Co-Founder: Users First, Ads Second Forbes Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg had a lot to say in their interview with PBS's "Charlie Rose" Monday night. "A core part of what makes Facebook, Facebook, is that we really are focused on users first," Zuck said. "We'll have opportunities to sell advertising." Google+ Opens Its Doors to Brands, Businesses ClickZ Four months after telling brands to keep out of its new social network, Google has opened the doors to its answer to Facebook. Toyota and Pepsi are among the early adopters. The product is called Pages — the same name Facebook gives to its own real estate for brands. Zynga Plans Initial Public Offering After Thanksgiving Bloomberg Zynga is said to be planning to proceed with its initial public offering after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 24. The social network game developer, which filed for a $1 billion IPO in July, would follow a public offering by Groupon, the online-coupon leader. Barnes & Noble to Release Nook Tablet Next Week USA Today Barnes & Noble has unveiled its own slate called Nook Tablet. The 7-inch device is due out Nov. 17, or about the time that Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet is expected to reach consumers. The Nook will cost $249 -- $50 higher than the $199 sweet spot that Amazon is charging for Fire. Demand Media to Improve Content Amid Losses Forbes Demand Media, the so-called "content farm" behind such properties as eHow, said the company lost $3.3 million in the third quarter, and acknowledged that higher quality content might be worth the investment. "We're going to test ways to improve content across the board." Netflix in Streaming Deal with MGM for UK, Ireland Digital TV Europe Netflix has entered a deal with MGM that will give it exclusive rights to content from the studio. The video streaming service's U.K. and Ireland service will launch in early 2012. The deal gives it exclusive rights to MGM content across TV, online, mobile and tablet devices. Google to Tap Korean Music for YouTube Channel Bloomberg Google may start a video streaming service on YouTube for South Korean pop music, tapping the genre's worldwide popularity. The channel would cement ties between the world's largest search engine operator and South Korea, according to chief Eric Schmidt. Facebook Draws More Video Viewers than Hulu ClickZ Facebook attracted more unique video viewers in September than Hulu, AOL, CNN and ESPN, according to Nielsen. YouTube topped the chart with more than three times as many unique viewers as Vevo. In all, the measurement firm tracked 164.4 million unique U.S. video viewers. Yahoo Co-Founder May Thwart Investment Sale New York Post Co-founder Jerry Yang's plan to regain control of Yahoo threatens to derail the sale of the company's stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Yahoo shareholder Daniel Loeb has called for the removal of Yang and chief Roy Bostock from the Internet company's board. Amazon Publishing Nabs Deepak Chopra Book Crain's New York Amazon Publishing is said to have acquired the next book by best-selling author Deepak Chopra. The deal marks the Manhattan-based imprint's third foray into territory once reserved for traditional houses since industry veteran Larry Kirshbaum was named publisher last May. Apple to Overhaul All Product Lines Next Year Digital Trends As Apple moves into the post-Steve Jobs era, the company is said to be planning to completely revamp its lineup of products, including the iPad, iMac, iPhone and MacBook Air, in 2012. In addition, Apple is said to have ordered key components for two iPad prototypes. Google Ponders Plan to Offer Pay-TV Services Wall Street Journal Google is considering a plan to offer pay-TV services, a move that threatens to undercut cable and satellite companies in subscription fees they charge consumers. Such a project could be tested in Kansas City, where an Internet effort is already underway. IAC Chief Barry Diller Eyes More Acquisitions Reuters IAC reported a higher-than-expected third-quarter profit and plans to pay its first regular dividend. The company reported equity in losses of $15 million, which includes Newsweek/Daily Beast. Chief Barry Diller said IAC had the "resources" to make "rational" acquisitions. WebMD: Carl Icahn Increases Stake to 9.49% New York Times Carl Icahn has increased his stake in WebMD to 9.49%. The billionaire investor said at the time of his initial investment that he "may seek to have conversations from time to time with management" of the "undervalued" online information provider to discuss strategies. Groupon Raises $700 Million in Massive IPO Reuters Groupon raised $700 million after increasing the size of its initial public offering, becoming the largest IPO by an Internet company since Google raised $1.7 billion in 2004. The three-year-old company, a global leader in "daily deals," is now valued at almost $13 billion. Google Unveils Its First National Daily Deal Bloomberg Google has unveiled the first national discount for its daily-deals service Google Offers with a deal from retailer REI, as it ramps up competition with Groupon and LivingSocial. Users can spend $15 to get $25 worth of goods at REI, which sells outdoor gear and clothing. Twitter Changes Celebrity Endorsements Biz Associated Press Twitter has changed the business of celebrity endorsements. Some stars are being paid big bucks to tweet about products. CampusLIVE paid actress Lindsay Lohan nearly $3,500 for one tweet. Paying a celeb to tweet can be much cheaper than a traditional advertising campaign. Facebook, Twitter Chatter Now Followed by CIA Associated Press The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has begun monitoring the chatter on Twitter and Facebook. From there, they build a picture sought by the highest levels at the White House, giving a real-time peek, for example, at the mood of a region after the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Barnes & Noble Tablet to Challenge Amazon Engadget Barnes & Noble is said to be taking on Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet by expanding its lineup of Nook e-readers to include a 7-inch color touchscreen device called the Nook Tablet. The device, retailing for $249, closely resembles the Nook Color but has beefed-up specifications. Facebook CEO 'More Powerful' Than Murdoch Forbes Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, is among the "world's most powerful people," according to a new list by Forbes. Zuckerberg ranks at No. 9, ahead of figures such as David Cameron, Hillary Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy, Rupert Murdoch and Warren Buffett. Apple 'Steve Jobs' Bio Sells 379,000 U.S. Copies Digital Trends Even though "Steve Jobs" did not out sell the iPhone 4S in its first week, the book still had a very good debut. In the United States alone, the biography by Walter Isaacson sold 379,000 copies. In its first six days the title became the 18th bestselling book of the year. Amazon Launches Digital Book Lending Library Wall Street Journal As the e-reader and tablet wars heat up, Amazon has launched a digital-book lending library available only to owners of its Kindle and Kindle Fire devices who are also subscribers to its Amazon Prime program. Amazon will initially offer slightly more than 5,000 titles. Yahoo Seeks Readers with Free iPad Magazine Associated Press Yahoo has begun to distribute a free iPad magazine, called Livestand, featuring software that can be customized to pull content from participating publishers to cater to each user's interests. Livestand may become a key piece of Yahoo's comeback effort. Twitter Tests 'Top News' in Real-Time Search TechCrunch In what appears to be a test, Twitter is adding "Top News" and "Top People" results at the top of its real-time search results. When users search for a for news story, they will see a highlighted boxed result with a link to a top news story along with a thumbnail image. Google News to Highlight Profiles of Journalists Search Engine Land Google News will soon start highlighting profiles of journalists in news search results. But rather than showcasing reporters' profiles from their primary website or writing venue, the Internet search giant will be highlighting their profiles in Google+. YouTube Videos Unlikely to Draw TV Ad Rates Bloomberg Brad Adgate, director of research at Horizon Media, said that YouTube's plan to add new channels of professionally produced content are unlikely to pull ad dollars from cable channels. "The dollars are going to come from online budgets." YouTube is recreating Hulu's "model." AOL Yet to Benefit from HuffPost Acquisition AllThingsD AOL has aimed to transform itself into an advertising-supported media business, acquiring TechCrunch and the Huffington Post over the past year. However, traffic to the AOL's websites has barely budged: Monthly unique visitors moved up only 1 million since last year. Pandora to Extend Its Reach Into Businesses New York Times In six years, the Internet radio service Pandora has made its way to more than 100 million personal computers, cars and home entertainment systems. Now, in an effort to find new sources of income, it also is coming to shopping malls, doctor's offices and restaurants. Apple CEO Tim Cook Differs from Steve Jobs Wall Street Journal Tim Cook has already put his operational mark on Apple in ways that suggest the company won't be entirely the same as under co-founder Steve Jobs. The new CEO is said to be "more communicative" with employees. Significantly, Cook is "not a product guy." Google Offers Free Websites to India Business Reuters Google said it will offer free websites to small and medium businesses in India in a move to boost Internet usage in Asia's third-largest economy. The Internet giant aims to get half a million of these businesses online in the next three years. "We want to build an ecosystem." Yahoo Makes $270 Million Deal for Interclick Associated Press Yahoo has announced that it is buying Internet advertising company Interclick in a cash deal worth $270 million. The New York-based Interclick was founded in 2006 and offers technology tools to help marketers conduct targeted online advertising campaigns. Facebook Faces Battle for Big-Brand Advertisers Wall Street Journal Big online ad buyers such as Ford ran less than 15% of their digital ads on Facebook in August and September. Big-name brands find they can reach a target audience at a steep discount through what is akin to word-of-mouth campaigns that spring from free Facebook pages. Groupon Founders to Retain Control After IPO AllThingsD After Groupon goes public on Friday, its three founders won't be giving up their control over the daily deals website they started in 2008, thanks to a dual-class share structure that is rigged in their favor, according to an amended filing with U.S. regulators. Yahoo: David Kenny Not a Candidate for CEO Advertising Age Scratch David Kenny off the list for next CEO of Yahoo. Despite reports he is campaigning for the job, Kenny is not a candidate, he said. "I want to clarify that I believe Yahoo is a great company with enormous potential, but I am not a candidate for the CEO position." Apple Is a Digital Vampire, Rock Legend Says BBC News The Who guitarist Pete Townshend has urged Apple's iTunes to use its power to help new bands instead of "bleeding" artists like a "digital vampire." The rock star also argued against unauthorized file-sharing, saying the Internet was "destroying copyright as we know it." Netflix, Redbox Bolster Home Video Spending Associated Press Americans' spending on home videos has finally emerged from the recession — helped by more purchases of higher-priced Blu-ray discs and greater outlays on cut-rate rentals from Netflix and Redbox, according to a report from the Digital Entertainment Group. Myspace Ex-Music Chief Lands at Video Maker AllThingsD Courtney Holt, who stepped down as president of Myspace Music early this year, has taken a new job as COO of Maker Studios. The new-generation production company makes and distributes professional original content to the Internet, mostly via YouTube. Barnes & Noble: New Nook Unveiling Expected MarketWatch Barnes & Noble sent out invitations to an event in New York City scheduled for Nov. 7, at which the company is widely expected to unveil its latest Nook e-reader, or potentially a tablet device. The invitation did not offer details of the news planned for the event. Gawker, Drudge Lead Most Valuable U.S. Blogs 24/7 Wall St Gawker, Drudge Report, Perez Hilton, Mashable, and Business Insider are among the 25 most valuable U.S.-based blogs, according to an analysis by 24/7 Wall St. The "impressive growth" of Gawker places the blog publisher at No. 1, valued at $318 million. HuffPost Brand Seen More Valuable Than AOL's Forbes The Huffington Post's brand is worth more than twice as much as owner AOL's, according to research firm General Sentiment. HuffPost has an "impact media value" of $358.6 million, versus $156.3 million for AOL. "The Huffington Post is a lot more relevant today." AOL Veterans Launch The Verge Tech News Site AllThingsD The gang that defected from AOL's popular Engadget tech powerhouse has launched The Verge, a website offering tech news, reviews and features. Along with the launch, The Verge's parent company, the sports-focused SB Nation, will transform into Vox Media. Google Eyes Media with TV, YouTube Upgrades Los Angeles Times Google is doubling down on media, signing deals to bring professional, high-quality programming to 100 new video channels on its YouTube video website. The company is also upgrading the software for its Google TV service for bringing the web to TV screens. Hulu to Help CW Network in New Streaming Deal Crain's New York Hulu, the online video hub, has entered a deal to stream "Gossip Girl" and other programming from the CW, the network popular with teens and 20-somethings. The agreement will help put the CW on "a solidly profitable footing," said an exec with CW co-owner CBS. Yahoo Mulls Selling Assets Rather Than Company Bloomberg Yahoo is said to be leaning toward selling its Asian assets and redistributing the proceeds to shareholders, rather than selling itself to a group of buyers. This scenario is emerging as the most likely option for the company. No decision has been made yet. AOL Explores Asset Sale Amid Push Into Mobile Wall Street Journal AOL, hoping to catch up with Google and Yahoo, has ramped up production of mobile websites and apps. But analysts are skeptical, saying that they are "still a little leery" about AOL's future. AOL is said to be continuing to explore partnerships and asset sales. Google, Yahoo to Unveil Tablet News-Reader Apps AllThingsD Yahoo is due to unveil its Livestand news-reader offering on Wednesday. Within the next week or so, Google will weigh in with its version of the genre, with a product code-named Propeller. The apps are part of the drastically changing habits of media consumers. Amazon Founder Gets a Biography of His Own Wall Street Journal Richard Brandt's new book, "One Click," traces the life of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos from his early childhood impressions of a working California ranch to his "iron-fisted rule" of the online retailing giant he founded. Brandt is a former Businessweek tech writer. Apple to Release Siri-Powered TV Set by 2013 Apple Insider Apple is said to be at work on a full-fledged TV set, and the company's recent launch of Siri for the iPhone 4S is believed to be one of the final puzzle pieces necessary to develop such a product. Apple hopes to "replace the awkward and confusing remote control." Google's 'Groupon Killer' Adds More Daily Deals Reuters Google has unveiled big changes to its fledgling daily deals business, as rival Groupon pitches its IPO to potential investors. The Internet search giant said its Google Offers business will distribute daily deals from at least 15 other daily deal sites. Amazon's IMDb Offers Mobile Celebrity Gossip Puget Sound Business Amazon's Internet Movie Database website has launched IMDb Buzz, an iPhone and iPod Touch app to dish out the latest news and gossip on TV and movie celebrities. The app features content from partners such as Access Hollywood, indieWire and The Wrap. Google, Yahoo Oppose Stop Online Piracy Act The Hill U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to boost government authority to go after websites that provide access to pirated content. However, a coalition that includes Google, Yahoo and Bloomberg said: "We do not believe that the solution lies in regulating the Internet." Netflix Said to Cut Jobs After Subscriber Loss Bloomberg Netflix is said to have eliminated more than 15 jobs after losing 800,000 U.S. subscribers in the third quarter. The cuts, which began before earnings were announced Monday, are mostly in human resources, where Netflix had hired in anticipation of faster growth. Google Shopping Spree Snags 27 Companies Associated Press Google spent more than $500 million to buy 27 companies during the third quarter, ensuring this year will be the busiest shopping spree in the Internet giant's history. The number emerged in a quarterly report, which also revealed that Google paid $151 million for Zagat. Myspace Failure Blamed on Lack of 'Rebrand' Fortune Keeping the Myspace brand after the website's relaunch as a social entertainment destination was a mistake, according to former CEO Michael Jones. "Consumers' memories about the brand were too strong to allow them to view Myspace with an open mind." Apple May Be Getting Ready to Reinvent TV Los Angeles Times Remarks by late co-founder Steve Jobs in a new biography have set off a flurry of speculation that Apple will roll out a television set that could remake the $100-billion industry, much as the company altered personal computers, music players and cellphones. 'Steve Jobs' Bio Could Ignite Apple Shares MarketWatch New insights on Steve Jobs in the biography by Walter Isaacson are a potential trigger for a decisive break on the upside for Apple stock. "Astute investors reading the biography are likely to focus on ... long-term implications on generating significant royalties." Twitter Hires Google Vet as Editorial Director AllThingsD Karen Wickre, who founded and edited Google's network of company blogs, has joined Twitter in the newly created position of editorial director. Wickre said her role will involve "nurturing a consistent Twitter voice across our public messages and information pages." Facebook Co-Founder Eyes VC Media Model Bloomberg The Knight Foundation, a sponsor of journalism projects, has named Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes and digital experts from Harvard and MIT to its board, where they will take a venture-capital-like approach to media. The foundation is shifting to "social investing." Google Asked to Remove 135 YouTube Videos Guardian British authorities ordered the removal of 135 videos from YouTube in the first half of this year, citing a perceived threat to national security, according to figures published by Google. The owner of the video-sharing site said it complied with 82% of requests. Amazon Bottom Line Hit by Kindle Fire Launch Seattle Times For the third time in a row, Amazon has posted a lower quarterly profit. One possible factor weighing on the bottom line is the launch of the Kindle Fire tablet computer. Analysts think the production cost is about $10 higher than what Amazon is charging for the Fire. 'Steve Jobs' Book is Apple of Publisher's Eye New York Post Stores have reported robust demand for "Steve Jobs," the new biography by Walter Isaacson. Amazon said the Simon & Schuster title is No. 1 best seller on both the Books and Kindle Best Seller lists. "It could very likely be one of our top-selling books of the year." Pew: Tablet Users Don't Want to Pay for News Associated Press Tablet owners are reluctant to pay for news, according to a study by the Pew Research Center's Project for the Excellence in Journalism. Just 14% of tablet users said they have paid for news. A "large majority" of people who have not paid for news are "reluctant to do so." TMZ Founder Sees Traditional Media in Trouble Washington Post Television news is hurting, TMZ founder Harvey Levin told the National Press Club, because it is afraid to mess with an increasingly moribund formula. Newspapers and magazines should get out of the print business, he added. Traditional media "doesn't speak" to young people. Netflix Subscriber Loss Worse Than Forecast Bloomberg Netflix posted third-quarter customer losses that were worse than its September forecast and predicted more cancellations over a price hike. The shares plunged 27%. Domestic subscribers fell to 23.8 million as of Sept. 30 from 24.6 million three months earlier. Groupon Sues Employees Who Left for Google Reuters Groupon has sued two former sales managers who held confidential data before they quit the daily deal company to join Google's competing daily deals site. The case names former Groupon employees Brian Hanna and Michael Nolan, who left to join Google Offers. Zynga Game Developer Eyes IPO Next Month Reuters Zynga, the social network game developer, is said to be planning to price its initial public offering and have its shares begin trading the week before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 24. Zynga's debut is among a clutch of highly anticipated dotcom IPOs. Apple TV Effort Overseen by Creator of iTunes Bloomberg Apple is said to be turning to Jeff Robbin, the software engineer who helped create the iPod and the iTunes media store, to help lead its development of a television set. Robbin's involvement is a sign of Apple's commitment to extending its leadership into the living room. AARP Creates Ad Network for Over 50 Crowd ClickZ AARP has compiled an advertising network of sorts by partnering with about 600 websites often visited by the 50-plus crowd, such as Healthline, Grandparents.com. The idea is to put the group's data to use to create broader reach for advertisers outside its own site. HuffPost to Launch French Edition for Quebec Next Web The Huffington Post plans to extend its global reach with a second Canada-focused website, but this one will be aimed at French-speaking Quebec. Le Huffington Post Quebec will launch in early 2012. HuffPost boasts of 1.8 million unique visitors a month in Canada. Common Sense: Kids Are Big Fans of Screens Washington Post Common Sense Media, a non-profit group advocating for kids, has released a study that said children are using electronic media at staggering levels. About 40% of 2- to 4-year-olds and more than half of 5- to 8-year-olds use video iPods, iPads or similar devices. WikiLeaks May Be Weeks Away from Shuttering Associated Press WikiLeaks — whose publication of classified data shook world capitals and exposed the inner workings of international diplomacy — may be weeks away from collapse, said founder Julian Assange. "We will not be able to continue" with the blockade on donations. Apple: 'Steve Jobs' Biography Due Out Monday CBS News "Steve Jobs," the much-anticipated biography by Walter Isaacson, will be released Oct. 24 by CBS publisher Simon & Schuster. Isaacson, a former managing editor of Time magazine, discussed the new book in an interview that aired Sunday night on CBS' "60 Minutes." Google, Private-Equity Firms Mull Bid For Yahoo Wall Street Journal Google is said to have talked to private-equity firms about potentially helping them finance a deal to buy Yahoo's core business. The search giant may end up not pursuing a bid. Google is reportedly interested in selling advertising across Yahoo's websites. Hulu Plus Coming to Nintendo 3DS, Wii Systems Next Web Nintendo has struck a partnership with Hulu to deliver Hulu Plus TV shows and movies to the Nintendo 3DS and Wii systems by the end of the year. The move is part of a bid by Nintendo to build out its media offerings on its consoles and handheld gaming devices. Netflix Confirms Service Launch in UK, Ireland MarketWatch Netflix has confirmed that it will launch in the U.K. and Ireland starting in early 2012. The U.S.-based Internet movie streaming and subscription service has 25 million members in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, and it has been streaming to U.S. members since 2007. Groupon Seeks to Raise Up to $540 Million in IPO Chicago Tribune Groupon is seeking to raise between $480 million and $540 million in its IPO, scaling back its original plans. The daily-deals company anticipates IPO pricing of between $16 and $18 per share, which would value Groupon between $10.1 billion and $11.4 billion. WebMD: Carl Icahn Becomes Biggest Shareholder Wall Street Journal Carl Icahn has disclosed a 7.9% stake in WebMD, the online medical information website. The billionaire investor, now the biggest holder of WebMD stock, said he believes shares are undervalued, and he "may seek to have conversations with management." Apple Founder Jobs Vowed to 'Destroy' Google CBS/AP Steve Jobs threatened to go "thermonuclear" to prevent Google from using a mobile operating system that he claimed was a rip-off of Apple's iPhone, according to a new biography. The book, "Steve Jobs," by Walter Isaacson, will be published Monday by Simon & Schuster. Twitter Stake Eyed by Saudi Prince Alwaleed Sky News Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns a major stake News Corp., is said to have held talks with at least one of Twitter's co-founders about acquiring part of their shareholding in the microblogging site. The prince is regarded as one of the world's wealthiest investors. Yahoo: Ex-News Corp Boss Won't Rule Out Buy Dow Jones Peter Chernin, founder of the Chernin Group and Chernin Entertainment, said that he isn't ruling out anything when it comes to a deal to buy Yahoo. However, he said it isn't the right time now. "I spent a fair amount of time looking at it a year ago and it seemed confusing to me." Netflix May Have Lost 600,000 Users Since July Businessweek Netflix CEO Reed Hastings' poorly explained pricing and service changes have alienated customers and handed rivals an opening, according to analysts. The movie-delivery company may have lost as many as 600,000 of its 24.6 million U.S. customers since July. Facebook Deal Moves Site Into LinkedIn Territory Los Angeles Times Facebook has struck a partnership with the U.S. Labor Department to help the unemployed find jobs. The deal could position the social-networking site to increasingly move into professional networking, a field now most closely identified with LinkedIn. Google to Boost Media Offerings to Rival Apple Wall Street Journal Andy Rubin, head of Google's mobile-technology unit, said the company is "close" to being able to offer users media and music, a key "missing ingredient" in the Internet giant's efforts to woo consumers away from Apple's iPad with its Android operating system. Microsoft, Partners Work on Bid to Buy Yahoo Wall Street Journal Microsoft is working with Silver Lake Partners and one of the private-equity firm's investors, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, to put together a proposal to buy Yahoo. This is one of various combinations that potential bidders for Yahoo are discussing. AOL Radio Service Cuts Ads to Take On Pandora Bloomberg AOL's online radio service is restarting with half the number of audio commercials as it ran before, challenging Pandora for listeners. The company will insert about 3 minutes of audio ads an hour; Pandora airs three 15-second commercials per hour. YouTube Ramping Up as Destination for Music Associated Press YouTube will announce a deal with global rights agency Merlin, which represents some 14,000 independent labels, as part of a long-term push to build its music section into a more robust consumer experience. YouTube already unveiled a store to sell fan merchandise. Amazon Signs Deal with PBS to Boost Catalog Next Web Amazon has entered another licensing agreement with PBS, allowing the network's programming to be made available to Amazon Prime subscribers. The deal sees the Internet retailer expand the number of instant videos to 12,000 by the end of 2011. Groupon Scales Back IPO to Less Than $12.5 Billion Wall Street Journal Groupon is said to be planning a scaled-back initial public offering of about 10% of the discount-deal website at a valuation of less than $12.5 billion, in light of recent market volatility and the company's missteps. The size of the sale could be $500 million to $700 million. Federated Media, WordPress in Big Blog Ad Deal San Francisco Business Federated Media, the online media and marketing agency, has entered a partnership with Automattic, which runs the popular WordPress blog platform, to sell advertising potentially across nearly 25 million websites -- reaching 15% of the websites on the Internet. Huffington Post Blogger Naomi Wolf Arrested HuffPost Naomi Wolf, author and Huffington Post contributor, was arrested after not complying with a police officer's orders to leave a sidewalk outside a New York event held by the website. Wolf became involved in an Occupy Wall Street protest and was arrested for a "safety issue." Politico, Random House Launch Online Bookstore Politico Politico has taken a step into the book business with the launch of an online bookstore in partnership with Random House. The new Politico Bookshelf will be operated by Random House and offer titles on current events, politics, history and biography. Yahoo Still Working to 'Refocus' Internet Company San Jose Mercury News Yahoo eked out a small victory when it reported quarterly financial results that weren't as bad as Wall Street expected, but the company did little to resolve many questions around its uncertain future. Interim CEO Tim Morse said: "There's been an awful lot of work to refocus." Apple CEO Says Tablets Will Be Bigger Than PCs Barron's Apple, which reported fiscal Q4 revenue and profit below analysts' expectations, said it expects to set a sales record for the iPad this quarter. When asked about the potential iPad market size, CEO Tim Cook responded: "I believe it will be larger than the PC market." Google Introduces Interactive Digital Bookcase VentureBeat Google has introduced the newest form of bookcase to web browsers. The new Infinite Digital Bookcase acts as an "infinite loop" of reading options, allowing users to use their computer mouse to scroll through shelves of the 10,000 titles available on Google Books. AOL Taps Former Martha Stewart Marketing Chief AllThingsD AOL has announced that Janet Balis is returning to the company as head of sales strategy, marketing and partnerships for AOL Advertising. Balis most recently served as executive vice president for media sales and marketing for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Groupon's IPO Road Show Scheduled Next Week AllThingsD Groupon is said to be planning to conduct its road show for investors next week amid continued criticism of the daily deals website company. The initiation of the road show might be an indication that Groupon's results have improved in its recent quarter. Amazon: IMDb Sued for Revealing Actress' Age Associated Press An unnamed actress has filed a lawsuit against Amazon for more than $1 million for revealing her age on its Internet Movie Database website and refusing to remove the reference when asked. The suit said that it is "nearly impossible" for an actress "approaching 40" to get work. Yahoo Ad Exec Deflects Talk About Becoming CEO Associated Press Ross Levinsohn, head of Yahoo's online advertising business in North America, said he has been too busy trying to bring in more revenue to consider whether he would be willing to become the struggling Internet company's next CEO. "I have an incredible job now." Facebook May See Teens Abandon Social Network ReadWriteWeb Teenagers are considering spending less time on Facebook than they did before "annoyances" like the news ticker popped up, according to a new survey from New York-based agency Mr Youth. Teens said that Google+ is actually "more social" than Facebook. Twitter CEO Confirms $8 Billion Company Valuation Business Insider Twitter is now worth $8 billion, CEO Dick Costolo has confirmed. "Let's just call it an even $8 billion," he said when asked about the valuation of the microblogging company. Twitter has raised $800 million across a two-part round of funding, Costolo added. YouTube Allows Music Partners to Sell Merchandise TechCrunch YouTube has launched Merch Store, a feature where the online video website's music partners will be able to sell artist merchandise, digital downloads, concert tickets and other experiences to fans and visitors. Amazon will power transactions for music downloads. Vevo Taps VH1.com Veteran for Editorial Director VentureBeat Vevo, the music video website jointly created by YouTube and music labels, is eyeing a new editorial focus with the hire of veteran journalist Jim Macnie as its editorial director. Macnie previously served as managing editor of VH1.com for nearly a decade. Apple: How Long Will Tim Cook Continue as CEO? New York Post The biggest question about the future of Apple is how the company will fare without Steve Jobs as chief evangelist. There is speculation already about how long Tim Cook will continue as CEO. Some execs in media circles think Apple needs someone who has a "big vision." Google: We're Not Stealing Old Media's Business AFP Google is "not making money on the back of newspapers," said Stefan Tweraser, head of Google Germany, at a media industry conference in Vienna. The Internet giant pays around $6 billion for news services worldwide. "Google's business model is partnerships." YouTube to Unveil 25+ Pro-Produced Channels Deadline Google plans to announce later this month that its YouTube video website will go live in January with 25 or so channels offering professionally produced news and entertainment. Initial partners are expected to include Warner Bros., ShineReveille, BermanBraun and FremantleMedia. Hulu Owners May Seek IPO After Halting Auction Bloomberg Hulu's owners may reconsider an initial public offering of the online video-streaming website after deciding to cancel an auction. A share sale would let Hulu raise capital to add content and help retain senior management. It also would help Hulu compete with Netflix and Amazon. TechCrunch Veteran to Launch Tablet-Only Publisher TechCrunch Paul Carr, a writer who recently left TechCrunch, has revealed his plans for his new startup. His company, NSFW, will focus on publishing only for tablet devices. Its first publication will be The New Gambit, described as "The Economist as written by 'Daily Show' writers." Google Makes Inroads in Mobile, Display Advertising New York Post Google's third-quarter earnings offered signs that the tech giant is making real inroads into mobile and display advertising. "In 2009, our top 20 display deals averaged approximately $2 million each," said CEO Larry Page. "Now our top deals are over seven times larger. Facebook Boys Feud Outside Club Over Spotify New York Post Mark Zuckerberg and Sean Parker are said to have had an "alcohol-fueled argument" outside a Hollywood nightclub over Facebook's partnership deal with music venture Spotify. "Sean argued that all Spotify users should not be forced to sign up for a Facebook account." Yahoo Bid Eyed by Private Equity's KKR, Blackstone Bloomberg The field of potential bidders is crowding for Yahoo. KKR & Co. and Blackstone Group are among the private-equity firms said to be considering possible bids for the struggling web company. The firms may become part of a consortium that would pool financing. Hulu CEO May Exit Stake as Owners Abandon Sale Wall Street Journal Hulu's big-media owners have ended efforts to sell the online-video site, after an auction process exposed rifts with potential buyers about the service's value. The end of the sale process could lead to talks with Hulu CEO Jason Kilar about buying him out of the company. Google Plans Music Store to Rival Apple, Amazon New York Times Five months after Google introduced a cloud music service with limited capabilities, the tech giant is said to be in talks with major record labels to expand that service and also open an MP3 store. Google is reportedly eager to open the store in the next several weeks. AOL Launches Editors Room with Media Videos Fierce Online Video AOL hopes to make it easier to include high-quality online video on digital publishers' websites with the launch of Editors Room. The platform will offer access to more than 250,000 videos from producers and media companies including BBC News, Hearst and Meredith. Netflix to Pay $1 Billion for CW Network TV Series Wall Street Journal Netflix will pay CBS and Time Warner about $1 billion for the rights to stream CW network series such as "Gossip Girl" and "The Vampire Diaries." The deal is the latest sign of how Netflix's expanding video-streaming business is providing a windfall for Hollywood. Apple in Talks to Put Movies on iPhones, iPads Los Angeles Times Apple execs have been meeting with Hollywood studios to finalize deals that would put movies in the cloud, allowing consumers to buy films through iTunes and access them on iPads and iPhones. The service is expected to launch in late 2011 or early 2012. Google Said Not to Be Planning to Buy Akamai Bloomberg Google is not planning to acquire Akamai Technologies, according to people familiar with the matter, countering a report in Business Insider that fueled speculation a takeover may be imminent. The story, which sparked a surge in Akamai stock, is baseless. AOL CEO Pitches Investors on Deal with Yahoo Reuters AOL chief Tim Armstrong is said to be meeting with top shareholders to push the idea of a sale to Yahoo that could wring up to $1.5 billion of cost savings. Armstrong is presenting the deal as an alternative to going it alone as an Internet media company. Black List to Launch Subscription Web Service New York Times The Black List, an independent ranking of Hollywood unproduced scripts, plans to introduce an online service, Blcklst.com, giving industry gatekeepers the ability to locate choice screenplays. A screening process will determine membership, which will run $20 a month. EBay: We Surpass Craigslist in Foreign Markets Wall Street Journal EBay's classifieds business has proven highly successful in many overseas markets, according to CEO John Donahoe. "We are the Craigslist in the U.K.," he said, before listing other countries where he said a similar situation exists. EBay owns a stake in Craigslist. IAC's CollegeHumor to Test Sales of Internet Video AllThingsD The popular "Jake and Amir" comedy show on CollegeHumor.com is rolling out a 30-minute special, which the IAC website will sell for $2.99 an outing, as well as DVDs for $13 apiece. The move marks the first time CollegeHumor has tried selling anything beyond T-shirts. Sony Suspends 93,000 Online Accounts After Breach Fox News Sony has found a "large amount" of unauthorized sign-in attempts on its PlayStation Network and other online entertainment services, and has temporarily suspended about 93,000 user accounts. Credit card details for those user accounts are "not at risk." Apple Launches iCloud Service After Online Misfires Bloomberg Markets Apple's iCloud service, part of its first product release since the death of Steve Jobs, will automatically store photos, songs and other files on servers at the tech giant's data centers and sync them with all of a customer's gadgets, from an iPad to an Apple TV box. Facebook Buys 'Compelling' Q&A Service Friend.ly Wall Street Journal Facebook has acquired the question-and-answer service Friend.ly for an undisclosed amount. Friend.ly, which will continue to operate as a separate service, has "created a compelling way for people to express themselves and meet others through answering questions." AOL: Fidelity Investments Slashes Ownership Stake TheWrap Fidelity Investments has reduced its stake in AOL from 10.32% to 3.73%, according to a regulatory filing. As recently as July, the mutual fund firm upped its stake in the Internet company, but AOL's stock has taken a tumble since then, hitting a 52-week low in August. Google, Hearst Execs Tapped for Luxury Website MarketWatch A joint venture between French e-commerce website Vente Privee and American Express has tapped former Google execs John Saroff and Jill Szuchmacher, as well as Hearst's Robin Domeniconi, to run a new website offering deals on luxury clothing brands. Yahoo Shares Rise on More Takeover Speculation Associated Press Shares of Yahoo are up as more reports emerged that potential buyers are circling the Internet search company. Yahoo said in a statement that the "entire board is fully aligned and unanimous in support of the comprehensive scope of the ongoing strategic review." Facebook, Wal-Mart in Partnership for Local Stores Reuters Wal-Mart and Facebook have unveiled a partnership to help the retail giant connect customers with its local stores. Wal-Mart's 9 million Facebook fans can follow what is happening at stores in their neighborhoods and receive alerts about new products and discounts. Twitter to Settle Lawsuit Over 'Tweet' Trademark Wall Street Journal Twitter plans to drop a lawsuit it filed against Twittad to seek the trademark of the word "tweet." In return, Twittad will transfer its registered trademark of "tweet" to Twitter. Twittad declines to say whether Twitter paid the company, citing a confidentiality agreement. Groupon Undercounts Number of Deal Purchases Chicago Tribune Groupon has stopped displaying online the exact number of daily deal vouchers purchased, a move the company said is intended to foil outside attempts to estimate its total sales. "Clever people" had used Groupon's online counter to make "consistently incorrect estimates." iVillage Unveils Celebrity Bloggers-in-Residence Hollywood Reporter iVillage, the largest content-driven online community for women, has launched a celebrity-centered blog, debuting with help from actress Denise Richards. Alanis Morissette and Ricki Lake have also signed on to serve as monthly "bloggers-in-residence" for the site. Amazon Expands Tool for Magazine Subscriptions GeekWire Amazon customers can now manage all of their print magazine subscriptions in one place, no matter where they were originally purchased. Customers can make changes to their address, cancel, renew, track expiration dates or report subscription problems. Yahoo Co-Founder Mulls Taking Company Private Reuters Jerry Yang, co-founder and former CEO of Yahoo, is said to be interested in a deal with private equity firms that would take the $20 billion company off public markets. Such a deal would involve rolling over Yang's stake in Yahoo, which stood at 3.63% as of April 2. Hulu Auction Loses Yahoo from Bidding Process Wall Street Journal The auction of Hulu is chugging along, with financial advisers working to compare the various offers for the video website after last week's latest bidding deadline. Dish Network, Amazon and Google are said to remain in the mix, while Yahoo has reportedly withdrawn. Netflix Nixes Plan to Split DVDs From Streaming Bloomberg Netflix, reacting to customer anger, has retreated from a decision to split its mail-order DVD service from its Internet streaming and will continue to run both from a single website. "Consumers value the simplicity Netflix has always offered and we respect that." YouTube Rolls Out Film Rental Service to UK BBC News YouTube has started a U.K. movie rental service, with about 1,000 titles available. New releases will cost £3.49 to rent and library titles £2.49. Users have 30 days to begin watching a film. YouTube already offers similar film services in the United States and Canada. Barnes & Noble Yanks Kindle Comics Exclusives CNNMoney Don't share with Barnes & Noble, and you'll face the book behemoth's wrath. One week after DC Comics handed over exclusive digital rights for some of its comic books to Amazon, Barnes & Noble fired back by yanking physical copies of those books off its store shelves. Groupon to 'Significantly' Cut Marketing Spending Bloomberg Groupon said it plans to "significantly" reduce online marketing spending over time as such investments yield insufficient returns. The online-coupon startup has drawn criticism for unusual accounting practices, rising marketing costs and the loss of two COOs in six months. Yahoo Considers Shedding Stake in Japan Business Financial Times Yahoo is moving closer to shedding its stake in Yahoo Japan as it waits for U.S. tax authorities to give guidance on a structure through which the embattled Internet company could cash in on its holding. A disposal of the stake could simplify Yahoo's strategic alternatives. Google to Media Institute: We're Good for Journalism Broadcasting & Cable Google has responded to a white paper by the independent think tank Media Institute on the search giant's ability to foreclose competition: "Google News drives valuable traffic to news organizations' websites for free," it said. "Google News works with publishers." Twitter Opens New York Office on Madison Avenue BetaBeat Twitter creator Jack Dorsey took the stage with Mayor Bloomberg to officially open the microblogging service's first office in New York, just in time for Advertising Week. According to Dorsey: "New York has the most Twitter users of any city in the world." LinkedIn Enables Marketers to Post Status Updates Direct Marketing News Marketers will soon be able to post status updates to their LinkedIn company pages. Companies will be able to post content such as text, links and videos to their followers on the social network. Followers will then be able to "like," comment and share the content. Napster Creators Reunite for Secretive Video Startup Financial Times Napster creators Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning have reunited after a decade apart with a video startup called Airtime. The pair only gives hints of Airtime's strategy, saying that the service was partly inspired by Chatroulette. "We are interested in the live video space." Apple's Next Big Challenge Likely to Be Television New York Times Under Steve Jobs, Apple dipped its toe only slightly into television with Apple TV, a set-top box for accessing Internet video. But many in the tech industry contend that television is ripe for a makeover, and that Apple's next big challenge is likely to be in that area. Sony to Buy Out Ericsson in Mobile Phone Venture Wall Street Journal Sony is said to be near a deal to buy out Ericsson's share of its mobile phone business. The deal would give Sony complete control of the Sony Ericsson brand and allow it to more fully integrate its mobile phone operations with the rest of the company's gadgets. Apple's Future Looks Secure for Next Two Years USA Today Apple without Steve Jobs should survive — even thrive — because its executive team is "the best in the world," according to leading tech analysts. "They're going to do just fine the next two years. It remains to be seen if they can conceive the next big thing after that." Microsoft 'Nowhere Close' to Bidding for Yahoo Bloomberg Microsoft is said to be nowhere close to making an offer for Yahoo and its senior execs are not involved in any discussions. Shares of Yahoo surged after Reuters reported that Microsoft may make an offer. Yahoo "doesn't regard Microsoft as a serious bidder." Microsoft Will Offer TV Service to Xbox Live Users Bloomberg Microsoft plans to offer TV service to Xbox Live users through a partnership with Verizon and Comcast, in a bid to use TV programming to attract more customers to its game console. The Xbox service will offer content from almost 40 TV and entertainment companies. Hola, Hulu! Univision Telenovelas to Go Online Associated Press Univision, the No. 1 U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster, will bring its telenovelas and other TV programming to online video service Hulu. The new deal gives Hulu a way to sell advertising to a growing Hispanic population and entice them to pay for subscriptions. Google to Launch YouTube Political News Site Politico Google-owned YouTube plans to launch a special site that it hopes will be a one-stop online spot for political junkies to watch during the 2012 presidential campaign. The new YouTube Politics will include a mix of videos produced by media outlets and everyday citizens. Amazon Could Offer Standalone Video Streaming MarketWatch Amazon could offer a standalone video streaming product in the next six months, according to BTIG Research analyst Rich Greenfield. He speculates that the e-tailer could see an opportunity in the wake of the negative publicity surrounding Netflix's recent price increase. Apple's Steve Jobs, Co-Founder & Visionary, Dies Reuters Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, has died at age 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues. Jobs' death was announced by Apple in a statement late Wednesday. Apple Unveils New iPhone in Anticlimactic Launch San Jose Mercury News Apple has unveiled its latest iPhone, in a closely watched but ultimately anticlimactic product launch. A low-key Tim Cook emceed his first event since CEO Steve Jobs resigned in August. Disappointed fans jumped all over Apple for releasing merely an iPhone 4 upgrade. Yahoo Launches Fall Shows Like a TV Network Associated Press With TV network style, Yahoo is launching a fall slate of shows in a bid to strengthen its original programming. "I absolutely liken us to the fifth network or really the first digital network," said Erin McPherson, VP and head of original programming at Yahoo. Yahoo Advisers Ready Books for Potential Buyers Reuters Yahoo's long-time advisers Goldman Sachs and Allen & Co. are preparing to give potential buyers financial information, in a sign the troubled Internet giant is ready to put itself on the block. Potential buyers are proposing many options regarding Yahoo's businesses. Twitter Has 1,600 Advertisers, High Retention Rate TechCrunch Twitter chief revenue officer Adam Bain, speaking at IAB's Mixx Conference, revealed a few milestones for the communications platform, specifically in the advertising area. Bain said that Twitter now has 1,600 advertisers using the service to reach consumers. Facebook Will Leapfrog Apple, Media Guru Predicts New York Post Facebook will leapfrog Apple in the next 24 months to become the world's most valuable company, according to activist investor Scott Galloway. He jolted the American Magazine Conference crowd by pointing out that some marketers had millions of more "likes" than magazines. Google, Yahoo, AOL Vie for Web Video Dominance ClickZ News Google, Yahoo and AOL are investing more heavily in original video content, motivated by rising consumer demand for short-form series and strong advertiser interest. Both Yahoo and AOL are rolling out schedules of online programming geared toward women. Yahoo Partners with ABC News to Compete with CNN Telegraph Yahoo has partnered with Disney's ABC News in an effort to outrank Time Warner's CNN as the largest news website in America. Also, asked whether Ross Levinsohn was eyeing the position as CEO of Yahoo, he said four times: "I'm focused on doing my job." Google Near YouTube Deals with Media Companies Wall Street Journal Google is finalizing deals with well-known personalities such as Tony Hawk and major media companies to produce original content for YouTube, putting up $100 million in cash advances. Parties are said to include Warner Bros., News Corp.'s ShineReveille and IAC's Electus. AOL Recruits Big Names for Internet Video Series CNBC CEO Tim Armstrong has presented a new strategy to get AOL on track, unveiling an unprecedented investment in video. The Internet company announced more than 15 original video series for the web, featuring names like Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum and Mark Burnett. Hulu Gives More Choice Over Ads With 'Ad Swap' Advertising Age Hulu has been allowing viewers to choose their own pre-roll ad for the past couple of years. The next evolution is to allow viewers to stop any ad they don't like and swap it for another. The video site's Ad Swap feature will provide a new trove of data on consumer preferences. Netflix May Resurrect Fox's 'Arrested Development' TheStreet Netflix, seeking content, could revive the canceled comedy "Arrested Development." The short-lived series is reportedly in talks with both Netflix and Showtime regarding airing a limited number of new episodes. "Arrested Development" ended on Fox in 2006. Myspace to Become 'Hulu for Music' in Makeover AllThingsD Myspace owner Specific Media is telling marketers at Advertising Week that the website's new vision is "to become the No. 1 online community music destination," and its mission is "to feed the energy of youth culture." Specific Media calls Myspace "The Hulu of Music." Rhapsody to Acquire Napster Subscribers, Assets CNET News Rhapsody, one of the older subscription music services, has acquired Napster subscribers and other assets from Best Buy. The financial terms of the deal were not fully disclosed. Nonetheless, Best Buy's investment in Napster doesn't appear to have paid off. Groupon Targets Early November for IPO Completion Crain's Chicago Groupon is said to be aiming to complete its IPO by early November. The stock sale was delayed from September due to stock market volatility. Groupon is one of the most anticipated but controversial IPOs; the offering is seen as a test of the company's long-term prospects. Federated Media Buys Lijit Ad Analytics Company AllThingsD Federated Media Publishing has acquired Lijit Networks, a small online advertising analytics and tools firm. The price for the Boulder, Colo. start-up was undisclosed, but it has received just under $29 million in venture funding from firms such as Foundry Group. Yahoo, ABC News Announce Major Online Alliance ABC News Yahoo and ABC News will join forces to launch an online news alliance that will deliver content to more than 100 million U.S. users each month. GoodMorningAmerica.com is launching on Yahoo along with three new online-first video series hosted by ABC News anchors. Google to Create Newspaper-Style 'Circulars' Ads Bloomberg Google is working with advertisers such as Best Buy and Macy's to create web-based circulars, similar to the ad inserts included in newspapers. Retailers are "trying to understand what the answer is in the digital age to the offline print circular. This is our answer." Facebook to Move Away from 'Likes' with Ad Plans ClickZ News Facebook plans to unveil an overhaul of its Page Insights product, as well as a new ad unit, during Advertising Week. A new "People Talking About This" metric will showcase the number of comments involving a brand. Facebook is "moving away from the era of 'likes.'" Twitter Seeks to Turn Advertisers Into 'Influencers' New York Twitter advertisers have use of a "dashboard" tracking their attempts to inject themselves into the conversation -- a staging ground for turning the "information network" into a multibillion-dollar company, according to a New York magazine cover story. AOL: We Will Be Number One in Internet Content Financial Times AOL has focused on becoming "No. 1 in content," said CEO Tim Armstrong, just as Google leads in search and Facebook in social media. "The value of TechCrunch has gone up dramatically since we bought it. Outside the media, banking and tech worlds, people love AOL." Huffington Post Eyes Boomers, Gays, Weddings AllThingsD The Huffington Post, which is said to have topped 1 billion page views in August, has bought an online grassroots platform called Localocracy. HuffPost is also launching four more sections -- Huff/Post50; HuffPost Gay Voices; HuffPost Weddings; and HuffPost High School. Google Opens Its First-Ever Store in Retail Rollout Evening Standard The world's first "Google store" has opened in London. The "pop-up shop," located inside a PC World superstore, sells Google's Chromebook laptops. More pop-up shops are planned around the world. According to a spokeswoman, the outlets aim to feel "Googley." Hulu Sale Probability Wanes with New Bids Due TheWrap Second-round bids for Hulu are due this week, but a sale of the streaming video website is said to be looking less and less likely. The leading candidate is likely to be Dish Network, which has indicated a willingness to come close to the desired sale price of $2 billion. IAC to Launch CollegeHumor Video Spinoff Site Wall Street Journal CollegeHumor is trying to grow up with the launch of a new site called Jest.com, which aims to broaden its humor to appeal to 18- to 49 year-olds. Most of Jest's content will be videos aggregated from across the web through partnerships with sites like Hulu and YouTube. Facebook Former Prez Hires Writers for New Blog Gawker The Sean Parker Post? Tech entrepreneur Sean Parker plans to launch his own blog. The site will be "more of a monthly essay thing with daily commentary." The former Facebook president has already hired a firm to build buzz, and is running ads and plans to hire writers. Google: We Have a Responsibility to Improve Media New York Times Should Google play an editorial role in presenting readers with news? That question was a matter of debate at Zeitgeist, a Google conference in Paradise Valley, Ariz., where Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page said that the Internet giant had a responsibility to improve media. Twitter Tracks Changing Moods Around the World HealthDay Using Twitter to track people's moods worldwide, new research by Cornell University suggests that folks seem to awaken in good cheer and get grumpier as the workday progresses, regardless of where they live. Tweets suggest work-related stress may play a role in mood. Netflix Shares Fall as Rivalry Heats Up for Movies, TV Reuters Netflix shares have slumped as rivals Amazon and Microsoft made moves to lure customers with new options for movie and TV content. Thursday's losses added to a drop for Netflix shares from a high of nearly $300 in July. "People are concerned about competitive pressures." Amazon's Kindles Squeeze & Seduce Media Companies Wired Amazon's new line of Kindles shifts the balance of power across several media industries. But Amazon isn't approaching every kind of media in the same way. Even as Amazon is locking down books, its approaches to video and magazines could help to open those markets up. Groupon Enters Online Retailing with Groupon Goods Reuters Groupon has launched an online retail arm for its American subscribers, moving beyond daily group discounts to compete with leaders like Amazon. The leading daily deals website has sent emails to select customers offering discounts on home furnishing products. Amazon Unveils $199 Tablet, 'Dirt-Cheap' Kindles Bloomberg Amazon has officially unveiled its Kindle Fire tablet computer, taking aim at Apple's iPad with a device that is smaller and less than half the price, $199, along with a line of dirt-cheap Kindle e-readers, starting at $79. CEO Jeff Bezos sees the Kindle Fire not as a tablet, but as a "service." Groupon's New Deal to Reward Customer Loyalty Associated Press Groupon has rolled out a customer loyalty program to help bargain hunters save even more money. Merchants who join the service can set a spending target for customers to hit, after which they qualify for an even steeper discount than Groupon usually offers. Facebook Predicted to Become Top Media Distributor New Media Age Facebook will be the leading distributor of media by the year 2020, according to Dharmash Mistry, partner at former Bebo investor Balderton Capital. Speaking at an event in London, Mistry said the social network is fast becoming a core online content destination. Warner Bros Puts Your Face in Facebook Web Show Reuters Warner Bros. plans to unveil a Facebook-based show from "Charlie's Angels" director McG that seeks to create a new genre the studio calls a "social series." The show, debuting Oct. 18, will take pictures, music and data from a viewer's Facebook page and put it in the video. Microsoft to Add Comcast, Verizon Pay TV to Xbox Bloomberg Microsoft plans to offer online pay television service from Comcast and Verizon Communications through Xbox Live, in a bid to channel more entertainment to its video-game console. Microsoft may announce an expanded Xbox Live streaming service as soon as next week. Google to Open Base for Tech Startups in London BBC News Google has leased a seven-floor building to provide space for developers and startups near London's "Silicon Roundabout," boosting U.K. prime minister David Cameron's goal to create a tech hub in the city. Google is not moving its U.K. headquarters in central London to the area. AOL Recruits Hollywood Heavyweights for Cambio Los Angeles Times AOL has recruited some Hollywood heavyweights to revitalize its struggling year-old online entertainment site Cambio, aimed at teens and young adults. Mark Burnett and director McG will create original web shows with production spending as big as any prime-time series. Glenn Beck Aims to Become 'Next Oprah' Online Daily Beast Glenn Beck has declared that his new online television network will be "bigger than Oprah." GBTV "will transform the way news is consumed," he said, adding that his venture's programming will be "more one-on-one" and "interactive" than anything on his former home at Fox News. Google Named Most Desirable Employer in Media Media Week Prospective employees in media and marketing would like to work for Google more than any other company, according to a survey by recruiter Aspire Global Network. The Internet powerhouse was cited for its reputation as a "profitable and continually growing business." Facebook Forms Own Political Action Committee The Hill Facebook has filed paperwork to start its own political action committee. According to a spokesman for the social media behemoth: "FB PAC will give our employees a way to make their voice heard in the political process by supporting candidates who share our goals." Apple is 'Fine' Despite Report of iPad Order Cut Bloomberg JPMorgan Chase & Co. analyst Mark Moskowitz said research from his colleagues in Asia about a cut in Apple iPad orders doesn't represent the views of the securities firm's U.S. team, and that "Apple is fine." Earlier reports said Apple was cutting vendor orders for the iPad. Amazon to Unveil 'Kindle Fire' Tablet Wednesday TechCrunch Amazon has named its much-anticipated tablet the Kindle Fire. The new computer device will be unveiled by CEO Jeff Bezos on Wednesday morning at a press conference in New York. The Apple iPad rival will be released to the public in the second week of November. Hulu: Dish Network Makes Highest Bid in Auction Business Insider Dish Network is said to have made the highest bid so far for Hulu, the video site up for sale. The satellite-TV provider's offer of around $2 billion beat out the likes of Amazon and Yahoo. Google reportedly bid much higher, but its offer "came with special conditions." IAC/InterActiveCorp Elects Clinton Kid to Board Bloomberg IAC/InterActiveCorp has elected Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former U.S. president Bill Clinton, to the Barry Diller-run Internet company's board. Clinton previously worked at McKinsey & Co. and Avenue Capital and is now pursuing a doctorate at Oxford University. Amazon in Fox Video Deal Before Tablet Launch Puget Sound Business Just days before Amazon is expected to unveil its tablet computer, the online retailer has entered a deal with 20th Century Fox to add more content to its video streaming service. New additions include movies and shows such as "24," "Arrested Development" and "Speed." Google Makes 'Citizen Kane' Available on YouTube Los Angeles Times YouTube had made "Citizen Kane" available for rental online, in what the video site says is the first time the 1941 Orson Welles classic can be viewed on-demand on the Internet. The full rental of the William Randolph Hearst-inspired film costs $3 for a 24-hour period. YouTube Plans Scheduled Channels to Replace TV Wall Street Journal YouTube is said to be finalizing contracts for the first of more than a dozen "channels" of regularly scheduled content, as it considers a launch in early 2012. Execs with owner Google said they want to build a service that users will want to tune into instead of television. Netflix to Steal DreamWorks Animation from HBO Financial Times Netflix is said to be planning to unveil a streaming deal with DreamWorks Animation, the maker of the "Shrek" films. DreamWorks Animation is under contract with HBO until the end of 2013. Netflix will replace HBO as the company's output partner when the HBO deal expires. Dish Offers Blockbuster Service to Take On Netflix Reuters Blockbuster has unveiled a video streaming service limited to Dish Network subscribers, a move to better compete with Netflix and rival cable and satellite TV providers. The company plans to unveil an online streaming plan for non-Dish subscribers later this year. Yahoo Attracts Inquiries About 'Potential Options' Business Insider Yahoo has received inquiries from multiple parties about "potential options," but the struggling company expects to take months to decide its future, according to a memo to employees from the Internet firm's bosses. Yahoo has retained Allen & Co. to conduct a "strategic review." Facebook's Zuckerberg Talks Tablets, Mobile, IPO CNBC Facebook will "probably" release an app for tablets like Apple's iPad, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. He added that he is too busy building products these days to worry too much about an IPO. Also, mobile users now account for nearly half of Facebook's base. Amazon to Hold Press Event for Tablet Unveiling Associated Press Amazon has sent out invitations to a press conference it will hold Wednesday in New York. The online retailer and Kindle e-reader maker didn't divulge details, but it is expected to be an announcement for a long-rumored tablet device to rival Apple's popular iPad. Groupon: IPO in Doubt as Exec Leaves Company Crain's Chicago Groupon has announced that recently hired COO Margo Georgiadis is leaving the company and it is slashing reported revenues by half to reflect more conservative accounting. The two stunning revelations are casting further doubt on the deal-of-the-day site's IPO. AOL Requires Patch Editors to Help with Ad Sales Business Insider AOL is said to be requiring editors at its Patch "hyper-local" network of news sites to start drumming up leads for advertising sales. "This is a bridge too far," said one self-described "riled" Patch editor. "Requiring journalists to do this is far beyond the pale." TechCrunch Founder Starts Blog, Backs Pal's Startup San Jose Business Fired TechCrunch founder Mike Arrington has launched a new blog, Uncrunched, as his new CrunchFund began financing a startup launched by former colleague Paul Carr. Carr resigned from TechCrunch with a tirade against owner AOL and editorial boss Arianna Huffington. Google News Offers to Highlight 'Standout' Articles Search Engine Land Google has introduced a metadata tag to help news publications highlight their original, quality content on its news aggregation page. Publications are being asked to use a new HTML tag to mark "exceptional original reporting, deep investigative work, scoops and exclusives." Pew: Twitter, Text Messages Gain on TV for News New York Times Television remains the most common medium for local news, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center. But younger adults "rely on local television less," and more on the Internet --"a fact that suggests more vulnerability for the medium in the future." Magid: Young People Will Pay for (Some) Content New York Times The Napster generation of Web 1.0 -- where all content is free -- has evolved to see paid content as a reasonable alternative to advertising-supported content or pirated content, according to research by Magid Advisors. "ITunes has led the way in teaching people to pay." Facebook Makeover to 'Transform' Media Business Financial Times Facebook has unveiled its ambitions to become an entertainment hub with a makeover offering new tools for sharing music, video and news. Founder Mark Zuckerberg said the update will allow users to discover more content, which will help "transform" the media industry. Yahoo Searches for Buyer After Dismissing CEO Business Insider Two weeks after firing CEO Carol Bartz, Yahoo's board of directors has not yet begun looking for a replacement. Instead, the board is said to have formed a sub-committee to solicit interest from private-equity firms and media companies in buying all or parts of the company. Amazon's Next Kindle to Challenge Apple iPad Bloomberg Amazon's next Kindle device, expected in the coming months, is poised to become a threat to Apple's iPad this holiday season, according to analysts. The new Kindle reader will double as a tablet computer. "You're going to get the first tablet that functions as well as the iPad." Facebook to 'Rethink' Media Industry with New Apps Variety Facebook has introduced a new class of apps that will allow its users to see which songs, movies, TV shows and games are being consumed by friends and to sample that content. According to founder Mark Zuckerberg, the new feature could help "rethink" the media business. Netflix More Receptive to Video-on-Demand Model SplatF Netflix execs have dismissed the model of selling or renting shows and movies on an on-demand basis. But based on comments by CFO David Wells, the company now seems more receptive: "In today's evolving and changing world, we'd look at a number of different options." Yahoo Taps Top Hollywood Talent for Web Series Beet.TV Yahoo has given the green light to eight short-form web video programs, producing them both in-house and with leading Hollywood shops, such as Electus and Morgan Spurlock. The new programs, aimed at a female demographic aged 25-54, are due to launch next month. Google Chief Faces Capitol Hill Heat for First Time Washington Post Google chief Eric Schmidt faced a barrage of questions from lawmakers about whether his company's search engine stifles competition as he insisted it has not violated its famous "don't be evil" motto. "I can assure you we haven't cooked anything," he said in testimony. Facebook to Announce Big Changes at Gathering San Jose Mercury News Facebook users woke up Wednesday to find that the social network had revamped its news feed. The changes are likely to only accelerate Thursday at Facebook's f8 developers gathering in San Francisco, when the company is expected to announce new media integrations. Apple Faces Pressure from Print Media in France Reuters Apple's tight control over media content on its iPad is about to fall foul of some of France's most powerful magazines and newspapers, including the nation's second-biggest daily, Le Figaro. They hope that by teaming up they can stop the tech giant from dictating distribution terms. Amazon Brings Kindle E-Books to 11,000 Libraries CNNMoney Amazon has gone live with its library lending program, bringing Kindle e-books to 11,000 U.S. libraries. Customers with a library card will be able to browse their local library's website and borrow digital books, which will be sent wirelessly to their Kindle devices and apps. Google Rivals Plan Antitrust Assault in Washington Wall Street Journal Three Internet companies — Nextag, Yelp and Expedia — plan to attack Google on Capitol Hill, claiming the company is taking profits for itself by unfairly punishing them on its search engine. The Senate will hold an antitrust hearing on whether Google abuses its dominance. Apple CEO Expected to Host Media Event in October AllThingsD Apple is expected to hold its next big media event on Oct. 4, where the tech giant will unveil the next iteration of its popular iPhone. The event will likely be new CEO Tim Cook's first big product introduction. The new iPhone 5 should be available within weeks after the event. Facebook Seeking Exec for Hollywood, Media Ties Reuters Facebook is looking to hire an exec to cultivate relationships and strike deals with the film and music industries, as the online social network seeks to bolster its media offerings. Facebook is said to have held job talks with Jason Hirschhorn, a veteran of Myspace and MTV. EMarketer: Facebook Revenue to Hit $4.27 Billion MarketWatch Worldwide revenues at Facebook are expected to reach $4.27 billion for 2011, according to research firm eMarketer. Advertising revenue is seen taking in $3.8 billion, more than doubling the 2010 total. Facebook is expected to rake in $5.78 billion in global ad sales during 2012. Twitter to Pursue Political Ad Dollars for First Time Politico Twitter is beginning to sell political advertising, aiming to capitalize on its status as a hub of the national political conversation. The social networking giant has poached a top political marketing exec from Google and hopes to nab its share of the lucrative 2012 campaigns. AOL CEO Wants Patch Sites to Start Turning Profit Dow Jones AOL chief Tim Armstrong said he wants some of the firm's Patch news websites to become profitable this year, as AOL and others increasingly focus on local online advertising. AOL has established about 870 Patch sites so far, and plans to add about 130 more by the end of the year. Facebook News Feed to Be More Like 'Newspaper' IBTimes Facebook's new news feed will now keep social network users apprised of what "what matters most," the company said. Instead of just sliding up and down according to the most recent updates, the social network's news feed will be "more like your own personal newspaper." Digg News Aggregator to Test Topic Newsrooms TechCrunch Digg is beta testing Topic Newsrooms, which separates news into top categories like World News, Entertainment, Technology, and even topics as granular as Lady Gaga or Apple. Basically, the news aggregator is attempting to build its user base around interest in specific news. Glam Media Acquires Ning Social Platform Start-Up AllThingsD Glam Media, the social content platform for sites targeting women, plans to acquire Ning, the custom social-platform firm co-founded by Marc Andreessen. The deal is said to be valued at $200 million. With the addition of Ning, Glam will become "the first next-gen media company." Apple Shares Hit All-Time High; New iPad is Coming Apple Insider Shares of Apple rose nearly 3% Monday to close at a new all-time high, making the electronic giant the world's most valuable company. Also: With little competition in the tablet world, Apple is unlikely to release a third-generation iPad until 2012, according to J.P. Morgan. Netflix Move Paves Way for Possible Sale or Spinoff Bloomberg Netflix's decision to split its DVD operation from the flagship streaming service isolates the shrinking mail-order business and paves the way for an eventual exit, analysts said. A pure-play online business would be faster-growing, with more freedom to experiment. Microsoft in Talks with Comcast, Verizon on Xbox TV Digiday Microsoft is said to be in talks with both Comcast and Verizon Fios to bolster its upcoming live TV service on the Xbox 360 gaming console. Microsoft "would rather not pick a fight and would prefer to think of Xbox as a distribution device for cable TV." 'Angry Birds' in Talks to Slingshot Into Starbucks Bloomberg "Angry Birds" game creator Rovio said it is working on alliances with Starbucks and other retailers. The company hopes to convert its smartphone success into a real-world empire by selling "Angry Birds" books, stuffed animals, T-shirts and other products. Groupon Founders in Wrigley Building Buyer Group Chicago Tribune Groupon co-founders Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky are part of a consortium of buyers acquiring the famed Wrigley Building in Chicago. The consortium plans to renovate the iconic Michigan Avenue office towers, as well as the building's ground-floor retail space. Twitter, Burberry Team Up for First-Ever 'Tweetwalk' Telegraph Twitter has teamed up with Burberry, ahead of its show at London Fashion Week, to launch the first-ever "Tweetwalk," enabling people to view the collection online. The digital runway show will allow those at home to see the clothes before fashion's elite. Google Adds Visa, Amex, Discover Cards to Wallet Associated Press Google's Wallet is getting thicker. The company is adding Visa, American Express and Discover to its payment system, which aims to make cellphones the credit cards of tomorrow. MasterCard, the other major payment processor, is already part of the Google project. Facebook to Add Read, Listened, Watched Buttons TechCrunch Facebook is said to be planning to add buttons that will begin introducing some granularity to the online social network's "Like" concept. The new buttons are "Read," "Listened," "Watched." Facebook will also soon launch new social commerce buttons like "Want." Pew: One-Third Surveyed Prefer Texting to Talking CNET News According to a new Pew study, 83% of American adults own cell phones and 73% of them send and receive text messages. Some 31% of respondents said that they preferred to be contacted on their cell phone via texting, while 53% said they prefer a voice call. Facebook Expected to Unveil Media-Sharing Service New York Times Facebook on Thursday is expected to unveil a media platform that will allow its 750 million users to easily share music, TV shows and movies, effectively making the basic profile page a primary entertainment hub. It could become "the nirvana of interoperability." Myspace Owners Postpone Unveiling of Re-do Plan Wall Street Journal Myspace owners Specific Media and pop star Justin Timberlake have scaled back the unveiling of their vision for re-doing the site until next month. Plans for transforming Myspace into a hot spot for entertainment have been more "incremental" than anticipated. Google Acquires German Daily Deals Site DailyDeal Next Web With reports that Google's Groupon competitor Google Offers has gotten off to a slow start, the company has made an acquisition in the daily deals space, snapping up German deal site DailyDeal. The Berlin-based site has plans to expand across Europe. Yahoo to Launch 'Game-Changer' Livestand for Mags Media Week Yahoo plans to launch an HTML 5-based system called Livestand for magazine publishers wanting to cut the costs of getting onto iPad and Android apps. A number of publishers are believed to be in place for its initial U.S. launch in the coming weeks, including Forbes. AOL Losing Private Equity Interest to Rival Yahoo Reuters The private-equity firms that were looking at AOL are now setting their sights on Yahoo, which is viewed as housing more valuable and attractive assets. Private-equity firms are said to have lines out to at least two media companies to see if they are interested in Yahoo. Twitter Loses Two from Board in Latest Reshaping AllThingsD Fred Wilson of Union Square Ventures and Bijan Sabet of Spark Capital are no longer serving on the board of Twitter, the company said. They will not be replaced. "We look forward to their continued input as both investors in the company and passionate users of the product." Facebook Enters Big Ad Deal, Plans $50 Ad Credits FT / USA Today Facebook has entered a multimillion-dollar advertising partnership with Diageo, owner of drinks brands including Smirnoff and Guinness. Also: Facebook plans to offer $50 ad credits for up to 200,000 small businesses. "Facebook has multibillion dollar ad potential." Hulu Sale Risks Derailment as New Bids Come Due Reuters The auction of online video site Hulu has been slowed by recent developments which could derail it completely. Among the issues are conflicts over complicated digital rights, a wide bid-ask gap and Yahoo being sidelined as a potential buyer by its own issues. Netflix Renames DVD-by-Mail Service, Adds Games CNN Netflix plans to rebrand its 12-year-old movies-by-mail service as Qwikster and add video games to its catalog, according to CEO Reed Hastings. The web-streaming portion will continue to be called Netflix, Hastings wrote on the company's blog. Internet Industry Seen as Still Early in Growth Cycle Barron's While "a lot has happened" in the first 20 years of the Internet's commercial growth, the industry is "still early in the growth cycle," according to analysts at Barclays Capital. Among the stocks they recommend: Demand Media, IAC/Interactive and LinkedIn. AOL, Yahoo Join Ranks of 'Internet's Walking Dead' Businessweek AOL and Yahoo have been hurt by trying to live by Old Media rules, according to observers. Unlike Google or Facebook, AOL and Yahoo employ reporters and costly ad sales teams. The two companies have joined Myspace and Digg among "the web's walking dead." Yahoo Eyed by Silver Lake, Other Potential Bidders Wall Street Journal Execs at private-equity firm Silver Lake Partners are among the potential bidders for some or all of Yahoo. Media exec Peter Chernin has had recent discussions with Yahoo about a deal where a consortium of investors would take a stake in the Internet company. Apple Trails Google as World's Most Valuable Brand CNNMoney Apple has climbed to become the second most valuable brand in the world, just behind Google, according to a report from London-based consultancy Brand Finance. The Apple brand value has risen by 33% since the start of the year; Microsoft has dropped by 9%. Facebook Delays IPO Seeking Focus on Products Financial Times Facebook is preparing to launch its blockbuster initial public offering towards the end of next year, a later public debut by the social networking site than had been widely anticipated. The IPO, expected to be one of the world's biggest, had been expected by April 2012. YouTube Seen as Future Alternative to Cable TV Business Insider Google is "throwing around huge money" bidding for video content for YouTube. "You can imagine if Google were to buy Hulu and they were commissioning all this content and they were willing to take losses for a few years, that would become a real alternative to cable." Hulu Has 'Failed' in Europe in Push for Ad Control Hollywood Reporter Gerhard Zeiler, CEO of Europe's biggest free TV group RTL, said European broadcasters won't do deals with Hulu. The online video site has "failed" in Europe because it wants to control the advertising around the programs it shows. "They haven't signed any deals." Groupon IPO Back on Track Amid Market Volatility New York Times Groupon is planning to put its initial public offering back on track even as markets remain rocky. After postponing presentations to potential investors early this month, the online coupon giant is said to be aiming to go public in late October or early November. Google Developing 'Propeller' Social News Reader AllThingsD Google is said to be developing a social news reader for both the Android and iPad platforms. Called Propeller, the product is described as a "souped-up version" of similar reader apps, such as Flipboard, AOL's Editions, Yahoo's Livestand, Zite and Pulse. AOL, Yahoo & Microsoft Team Up Against Google AllThingsD AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft plan to start selling advertising on each other's sites, in an effort to become more competitive with Google. The strategy, slated to start before the end of the year, is also designed to help them lure back ad spending that has ended up on ad networks. Diller Mocks AOL-HuffPost Over Arrington Ouster TheWrap Barry Diller offered a blunt assessment of how AOL and the Huffington Post botched TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington's ouster, at the Paley Center for Media International Council's forum. "I'm amazed. They now own this thing that has no voice." TechCrunch Founder Plans Launch of New Blog WebHostDirectory TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington is set to release a new blogging website. Arrington made the announcement via Twitter, simply writing: "I'll be launching my new (personal) blog in a couple of days." His new blog could eventually become a TechCrunch rival. IAC's Match.com Invests in Chinese Dating Site Associated Press Match.com, the dating site owned by IAC/InterActive Corp., has bought a 20% stake in Chinese dating site Zhenai. According to Match.com, Zhenai commands high subscription fees because it provides "advice and consultation throughout the dating process." Netflix Sees Fewer Subscribers After Price Hike CNET Netflix has underestimated how many people would be turned off by its decision to raise prices. The web's top video rental service said on July 25 that it expected to report 25 million subscribers for the third quarter. Netflix has now lowered those expectations to 24 million. Media, Tech Bigs Circle Yahoo as Pressure Mounts AllThingsD Yahoo is said to be receiving interest in bids for all or part of the troubled Internet company from the likes of Netscape founder Marc Andreessen and former News Corp. exec Peter Chernin. Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang and chairman Roy Bostock are "receptive" to the interest. Yahoo Co-Founder Urged to Help Oust Chairman Associated Press Major Yahoo shareholder Daniel Loeb has sought to recruit co-founder Jerry Yang to join a crusade to oust chairman Roy Bostock amid the upheaval triggered by the firing of CEO Carol Bartz. Loeb has contended that Bostock is a "destroyer of value." Yahoo Board to Weigh Options After CEO Ouster AllThingsD Yahoo's board is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss a wide range of issues facing the troubled Internet giant. Meanwhile, private equity investors are said to be considering making major investments in the company, with the aim of ousting directors. Microsoft Gets Ads at Bottom of Screen on CW Advertising Age The CW will let Microsoft's Bing search engine run promotional messages in promos that run in the "lower third" of the TV screen at certain times each evening, as well as in the words that appear in the CW "bug" affixed to the bottom corner of the screen. Advertisers Create Web Shows to Lure Customers AllThingsD Advertiser-created shows are running on Facebook and other websites, providing a possible new template for TV that harkens back to the era when advertisers not only sponsored but helped to create, cast and script "soap operas" and variety shows. Twitter Offers Analytical Tools for Tracking Tweets GigaOM As Twitter becomes increasingly important to newspapers, TV networks and other media players, measuring the impact of a tweet has become even more vital. Twitter has launched an analytical tool-kit to track the tweets and links across the network. Facebook to Organize Friends Into 'Smart Lists' Associated Press Beginning Wednesday, Facebook will make it easier to share photos, posts and links with smaller, isolated groups of people. Facebook users will be able to read posts or share updates with specific groups instead of dozens, or hundreds, of "friends" at a time. Google to Make Flight Search Faster, More Useful AllThingsD Google has unveiled a service called Google Flight Search, after having closed on its $700 million acquisition of the travel software concern ITA in April. The new product aims to provide "faster, more flexible and more useful results" to online travel searches. Groupon, LivingSocial Deals to Reach $4.17 Billion Bloomberg Groupon, LivingSocial and other daily-deal websites will generate $4.17 billion in U.S. sales in 2015, more than double the amount this year, according to an estimate by BIA/Kelsey. The average number of transactions on the sites is growing, the firm said. Amazon, Hearst Strike Content, E-Commerce Deal Puget Sound Business Amazon and Hearst have entered into a relationship for consumer marketing, e-commerce and content, in a move likely to secure more content for tablets. Amazon has been in talks with magazine publishers to secure content for its forthcoming tablet device. IAC's Electus Studio Names Shine Vet as CEO Variety Ben Silverman has tapped longtime lieutenant Chris Grant to serve as CEO of his Electus production and distribution company, launched two years ago in partnership with Barry Diller's IAC. The multimedia studio is preparing for a growth spurt in content operations. Tremor Video Lands $37 Million to Fuel Acquisitions Advertising Age Tremor Video, the largest independent video advertising network, has landed another $37 million in funding in a round led by New York-based W Capital Partners. According to CEO Bill Day, half or more of the new funds will be earmarked for acquisitions. AOL, TechCrunch Editor Part Ways After Clashing Bloomberg TechCrunch founder Mike Arrington, following a clash with owner AOL, is leaving to work on a new venture fund. Co-editor Erick Schonfeld will succeed Arrington as the tech-news blog's top editor. AOL wasn't giving the blog "editorial independence," Arrington said. Facebook, Twitter Increasingly Used for Shopping Computerworld Americans are transfixed with social networking sites, with Facebook grabbing more of our time than any other blog or social media, according to a new Nielsen report. Also, people are increasingly using sites like Facebook and Twitter when shopping. Twitter Files Lawsuit for Trademarking Word 'Tweet' ZD Net Twitter has filed a lawsuit against Twittad, a marketing company, over the use of the word "tweet." Twittad had trademarked "Let Your Ad Meet Tweets," but Twitter claims that the microblogging company is more deserving of the "tweet" trademark. LivingSocial to Run National Deal with Whole Foods Reuters LivingSocial is set to run the first nationwide grocery store daily deal, teaming up with organic giant Whole Foods Market. The second-largest daily deal company said it will be offering $20 worth of products at any Whole Foods store for $10. Authors Guild Sues Universities Over Online Books Associated Press Authors and authors' groups in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have sued the University of Michigan and four other universities, seeking to stop the creation of online libraries made up of as many as 7 million copyright-protected books. Flipboard CEO Sees Magazine Future on Tablets AFP Flipboard head Mike McCue said the startup's iPad app has been downloaded more than 3.5 million times as tablet computers enable personalized Internet-age magazines. "The tablet, and principally the iPad, is creating a totally new kind of consumption experience." Amazon Courts Newspapers, Magazines for Kindle Wall Street Journal Amazon is paving the way for its forthcoming Kindle tablet, which aims to challenge Apple's iPad, by soliciting newspaper, magazine and book publishers. Amazon is negotiating with magazines and newspapers over subscription- and single-copy periodical pricing. YouTube Mulls Service for Investigative Reporting ABC News YouTube is in talks with the Center for Investigative Reporting about launching a service dedicated to investigative journalism, in response to the decline of in-depth traditional news reporting. Google's video-sharing site wants the U.S. non-profit group to curate material. Apple, Hulu Among Television's New 'Insurgents' Crain's New York As more and more consumers pull the plug on cable, other providers are connecting the web and TV. Among the disruptors are Netflix, Hulu, Roku and Boxee. Perhaps most significant, Apple is rumored to be working on a TV set that will appear within the next two years. Facebook Exec: We Won't Threaten Broadcasters New Media Age All television viewing will be social in the future, according to Facebook exec Joanna Shields, speaking at a conference in Amsterdam. Facebook's aim is to "complement" TV viewing and help broadcasters extend their reach, she said. "We would never be a threat." Yahoo Limits CEO Search to Former Web Heads New York Post The Yahoo board's preliminary wish list of CEO candidates to replace Carol Bartz is said to be limited to execs who have already run Internet companies. Among the figures on the list: former DoubleClick CEO Kevin Ryan and former Digitas boss Dave Kenny. AOL-Yahoo Combination Talks Report Disputed San Jose Business Doubts have been raised over the likelihood of a merger of besieged Internet companies Yahoo and AOL, following a news report of possible talks. AOL and CEO Tim Armstrong have "far too many problems of their own" to be in condition to take on Yahoo's as well. Zynga Nabs Disney Interactive Media Senior Exec Los Angeles Times Adam Sussman, senior VP of publishing at Disney Interactive Media, has left the media giant after just eight months to join social games rival Zynga. Disney's Interactive Media group has struggled to turn a profit while Zynga has become a darling of Silicon Valley. Amazon in Talks to Launch Digital-Book Library Wall Street Journal Amazon is said to be talking with publishers about launching a Netflix-like service for digital books, in which customers would pay an annual fee to access a library of content. But some publishing execs fear that the service could lower the value of books. Delicious Set for Revamp by YouTube Founders New York Times YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen have acquired Delicious, the social bookmarking service, and plan to transform the Yahoo castoff into a destination where users can see the most recent links shared around topical events. They also plan to add advertising. Groupon Faces Sales Staff Lawsuit Over Overtime ClickZ News Groupon is expected to respond to a class action lawsuit that could include a sizable chunk of the daily deals site's sales force. Up to 1,000 people may end up taking part in the suit, which centers on overtime pay. "It will likely end up exceeding that number." AOL Chief Discusses Deal to Combine with Yahoo Bloomberg AOL boss Tim Armstrong is said to be talking with advisers to Yahoo to gauge interest in combining the two Internet companies after the ouster of CEO Carol Bartz. But Yahoo is believed to be unlikely to be interested in a deal given AOL's losses and declining revenue. Yahoo Founder Yang Seeks to Acquire Company Business Insider Yahoo cofounder and one-time CEO Jerry Yang is said to be trying to take control of the company. Meanwhile, activist hedge funder Daniel Loeb announced a 5.1% position in Yahoo and wrote a letter demanding that much of the company's board step down. Google Acquires Zagat to Bolster Mobile Search Wired Google has acquired Zagat, the survey company and publisher known best for its highly regarded print guides to local restaurants. The acquisition strengthens Google's position in local search, helping it compete with web-native companies like Yelp. Twitter CEO: Ads Will Be Basis of Our Revenues San Jose Mercury News Twitter plans to expand sponsored tweets "from companies you follow to those you don't," said CEO Dick Costolo. Also, promoted tweets will migrate to "everywhere tweets go." Advertising will continue to be the basis of Twitter's revenues. "Advertising will sustain us." Facebook COO 'Friends' Oprah in Live Interview Contra Costa Times The worlds of old and new media went out for a spin when Oprah Winfrey dropped by Facebook for a freewheeling interview conducted by COO Sheryl Sandberg. During the talk, Winfrey admitted that she was struggling to adjust as the boss of her new cable network. AOL in Severance Talks with TechCrunch Founder AllThingsD AOL is said to be engaged in complex severance negotiations with TechCrunch founder and editor Michael Arrington. The company has so far refused Arrington's bold demand to either give the popular tech news site "editorial independence" or sell it back to him. Netflix 'Not a Threat' to Wal-Mart's Vudu Service TheStreet Wal-Mart's Vudu video service doesn't regard Netflix as the competition. In fact, the retail behemoth believes it can work in tandem with the movie-rental giant. "We don't see Netflix as a competitor," said Vudu head Edward Lichty. "We offer a complementary service." Google Acquires Zagat to Boost Local Offerings Search Engine Land Google has acquired the venerable Zagat survey, the original local reviews provider, for an undisclosed amount. The consumer based-surveys will become a "cornerstone" of the Internet giant's local offerings. Zagat has struggled in a world that has moved away from print. Yahoo Learns Content Isn't King on the Internet Wall Street Journal As web traffic explodes, Internet companies such as Yahoo are struggling to profit off advertising. Online pioneers Yahoo and AOL are losing out to Facebook and Google. Also: The firing of CEO Carol Bartz, without a successor in place, puts Yahoo even more firmly in play. Facebook Cashes In on Ads, Doubles Revenue Reuters Facebook's revenue doubled to $1.6 billion in 2011's first half, underscoring its appeal to advertisers. The stronger results come as investors have pushed the social network's valuation to roughly $80 billion, with many industry observers expecting an IPO in 2012. Google Acquires Loyalty Company Zave Networks DMNews Google has bought digital coupon and loyalty program provider Zave Networks. Zave creates a platform that marketers can use to deliver coupons and offers through online advertising, quick response codes, social media, interactive TV or email. Yahoo: Levinsohn is Bookmaker's Pick for CEO Boston Business Yahoo VP Ross Levinsohn is most likely to become the new CEO at the Internet company, replacing Carol Bartz, according to online betting firm Paddy Power. Other likely candidates include CFO and interim CEO Tim Morse and former MySpace CEO Mike Jones. AOL, Huffington in Dustup with TechCruncher Gawker A drama has unfolded at AOL over whether Mike Arrington will be fired from TechCrunch, the tech blog he founded. He has already been ousted as editor, due to his plans to start an investment fund. But, according to observers: "This is a power play by Arianna Huffington." Huffington Post Enters E-Book Publishing Biz Huffington Post The Huffington Post has turned digital publisher, releasing its first e-book, "A People's History of the Great Recession," by reporter Arthur Delaney. The e-book is a compilation of Delaney's articles about the financial crisis, which have all previously run on the site. Yahoo Ousts CEO Bartz, Seeks Sale of Company Wall Street Journal Yahoo's board has ousted CEO Carol Bartz after growing impatient with the lack of a turnaround at the once-highflying web company. The move was abrupt, amid a raft of competitive and strategic challenges. Yahoo is said to be open to selling itself to the right bidder. Google to Shutter, Merge 10 Products in Cleanup ArsTechnica Google plans to spend the next few months killing off 10 products that weren't successful or can be put to better use through integration with existing company services. The products to be shut down include Aardvark, Fast Flip, Notebook, Sidewiki and Subscribed Links. Twitter Terror: Google Top Exec Mayer Harassed San Francisco Chronicle A San Antonio man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in San Francisco on charges that he harassed high-ranking Google exec Marissa Mayer with more than 20,000 messages on Twitter. Some of the profanity-laced and vulgar tweets were threatening. YouTube Equal to TV Among Younger Audiences San Jose Mercury News Hundreds of "amateur" partners now receive more than $100,000 a year in advertising revenue from YouTube. Some are cashing checks of $1 million a year. Younger audiences increasingly see YouTube as an entertainment option equal to TV. "This is their platform." Hulu Bid from Google Proposes a Larger Scale AllThingsD Google has made an offer for Hulu, but it appears to be playing a different sport than the other bidders for the video site: Rather than bid on what Hulu's owners have offered for sale, the Internet search giant has proposed a different acquisition, on a larger scale. AOL: TechCruncher Seeks to Buy Back Website AllThingsD TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington has reached out to AOL CEO Tim Armstrong, as well as others in Silicon Valley, about buying back his popular tech news site. The move comes after the controversy erupted surrounding Arrington's nascent venture firm. Amazon Steps Up Efforts in Social Media, Games Reuters Amazon stepping up social media efforts after the Internet retailer partially missed one of the hottest tech trends of recent years. The company is building a social games group to take on Zynga, the leader in the space which is preparing for an IPO. Groupon Delays IPO Amid Stock Market Volatility Wall Street Journal Groupon, which is expected to fetch a $20 billion valuation upon its stock-market debut, canceled its investor roadshow and is reevaluating plans for an IPO in the face of stock-market volatility. The daily deals site had originally been aiming to go public after Labor Day. Yahoo's Bartz Out as CEO After Rocky 30 Months AllThingsD Yahoo's Carol Bartz is no longer CEO, according to sources at the company. Yahoo CFO Tim Morse has been named interim CEO. While Bartz has streamlined certain areas and made strong management hires, her performance has been bumpy and mostly downhill. Netflix Launches Streaming Service in Latin America CNET News Netflix has announced that it has launched its movie-streaming service outside of North America. The service has debuted in Brazil and is expected to be made available in 43 countries in Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean over the next week. Hulu Talking With at Least Five First-Round Bidders Bloomberg Hulu, the video website put up for sale by its media company owners, is said to have received as many as five first-round bids. Each offer included terms for programming rights. Google, Yahoo and Amazon were preparing offers ahead of last weekend's deadline. Facebook to Track Brands During Olympic Games Financial Times Facebook plans to use the London Olympics to prove that it can be a useful tool not only for distributing marketing but also measuring the games' impact. The social network is offering to provide insight into the changes in sentiment around sponsors' brands. Myspace: Timberlake Wants to Revitalize Brand Sky News Justin Timberlake, who has bought into social networking site Myspace, said he wants to revitalize the brand. "It's an exciting place for the future of music. Although it seemed like such a taboo thing, the Internet and music -- I don't think it's taboo at all." AOL Invests in Startup Fund Led by TechCruncher Bloomberg AOL has invested in a new fund for tech startups led by Michael Arrington, who will no longer be top editor of the company's TechCrunch blog. "Arrington's brand value is as an introducer of promising new companies." Also: TechCrunch "as we know it may be over." Apple iPad Unlikely to Lower Price in Near Future Los Angeles Times Hewlett-Packard's fire sale on its TouchPads for $99 sparked a buying frenzy. Tablets in the $200 to $300 range could be in stores for the upcoming holiday season. However, the iPad will probably remain at or near its $499 price for the foreseeable future. Amazon Reworks Site Before Offering New Tablet Reuters Amazon.com is rolling out a major redesign of its website as it prepares to offer a new $250 tablet device to rival Apple's iPad. The new web pages show a bigger search bar and less clutter to better highlight music, e-books, digital games and apps. MediaTakeOut Site to Run Reality Dating Series Crain's New York In a move that demonstrates television's continued expansion to the web, MediaTakeOut.com has picked up its first series. "First Date," a weekly reality dating show, targets a young African-American audience. "It's a major change in the way business is being done." Apple Promotes Media Power Broker to Senior VP 9to5Mac Apple exec Eddy Cue has been promoted to senior VP of Internet software and services, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. Cue, who will join Apple's management team, "runs arguably the most disruptive 21st-century web businesses: iTunes and the App Store." Google Wins Antitrust Victory in MyTriggers Case Reuters An Ohio judge has dismissed antitrust claims in a case against Google, handing the search giant a victory as it faces a separate federal investigation over whether the company uses its strength to thwart rivals. The Ohio case leveled similar charges. Facebook Spawning Large Network of Ad Partners San Jose Mercury News Facebook is relying on a fast-growing network of independent partners to build an advertising sector that some say may ultimately rival the network of companies that grew up around Google's search revolution. "Businesses now believe they must be on Facebook." AOL Replaces TechCrunch Editor in Startup Move Business Insider TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington plans to launch a $20 million venture vehicle to invest in Silicon Valley startups. The move is prompting TechCrunch owner AOL to replace Arrington as senior editor. He will continue to write for the tech blog. Netflix Loses Starz Amid Unpopular Price Increase Reuters Starz will pull its movies and TV shows from Netflix early next year after failing to reach a renewal deal. The move will deprive the streaming service of access to new releases from major studios Sony and Disney. The news comes as Netflix raises its prices. Google Touts Daily Deal on Search Home Page Reuters Google has promoted a Groupon-like daily deals offer on its home page for the first time, a rare instance of the Internet giant using its prized online real estate for advertising. Google's home-page deal may signal an escalation of competition with Groupon. Apple Loses Another iPhone Prototype at a Bar CNET News An Apple employee is said to have lost an unreleased iPhone in a bar, in a bizarre repeat of a high-profile incident last year. The device was reportedly lost in late July. But instead of being bought by Gawker for $5,000, this one sold on Craigslist for $200. Facebook CEO Boots Media Moguls Off Power List New York Post Mark Zuckerberg has topped Vanity Fair's New Establishment list, for the second year in a row. Tech figures including Tim Cook and Jack Dorsey dominated the top 10. This year, old-school media moguls were shunted onto a separate list, "The Powers That Be." Facebook to Launch Music Platform in September CNBC Facebook is said to be planning to launch a music platform at its developers conference on Sept. 22. The launch would be significant because Facebook's huge user base could provide a new marketplace for music artists and publishers. Twitter to Roll Out More Aggressive Plan for Ads AllThingsD In an incremental but important step for Twitter's advertising business, the microblogging company is going to start letting marketers place ads in front of people who haven't asked to see them. In addition, users won't have the ability to opt out of the ads. Gawker Media In Deal to Export Gizmodo Tech Blog Media Week Gawker Media has entered a deal with Future Publishing to bring its tech blog Gizmodo to the United Kingdom. The U.K. version of Gizmodo, due to launch this autumn, will sit alongside Future's other tech titles, including magazine and website T3. Hulu Unveils Video Subscription Service in Japan Associated Press U.S. online streaming site Hulu has made its international debut by launching a subscription video service in Japan. The new service will give users unlimited on-demand access to popular American television shows and movies for $19 per month. Amazon, Google, Yahoo Among Bidders for Hulu Business Insider Six companies are said to have submitted to informal bids for Hulu this week. The bids came in between $500 million to $2 billion, with most at the upper end. Companies among the six include Google, Amazon and Yahoo. Google "has to be considered the favorite." AOL Mulls Going Private to Help Restructure Plan New York Post AOL has huddled with bankers in recent days to discuss options, including the possibility of taking the company private. Going private would allow the struggling Internet company to restructure without shareholder scrutiny. "They could take more risks." Yahoo Grows Ad Alliance at Gannett TV Stations MediaPost Gannett and Yahoo are expanding a local advertising partnership under which the media company's newspapers and TV stations sell Yahoo inventory. The companies will extend the year-old deal from nine to all of Gannett's 19 broadcast markets. Groupon, LivingSocial Decline Amid Deal Fatigue Crain's Chicago Groupon and rival LivingSocial both saw traffic declines in July from June, according to Kantar Media Compete. "Deal fatigue may be setting in with consumers, with so many new entrants saturating the daily-deals space." But the most likely factor is "summer vacation." Gawker, Fox News in Feud Over Story on O'Reilly Adweek Fox News is firing back at gossip site Gawker for its story claiming that prime-time host Bill O'Reilly attempted to coax the police into investigating an officer over an alleged affair with his wife: "Gawker has been lying about Fox News for several years." Yahoo Takes on TV Networks with Original Series Variety Yahoo will launch its first-ever slate of original series in October. Morgan Spurlock, Niecy Nash and Judy Greer are among the stars featured in this batch of eight short-form shows, which Yahoo has been pitching to advertisers as a female-skewing slate. YouTube: ComScore Names Top Content Partners Wall Street Journal ComScore has begun measuring the popularity of YouTube content partners, revealing some new kingmakers. The YouTube channel run by video-game site Machinima came in third. The teen-focused entertainment news site ClevverTV is another standout. Netflix to Activate New Plans, Price Hike This Week CNET News The big question in web video this week is how many Netflix customers will stick with the service in the face of a new price increase, due to kick in Thursday. Even those planning to continue with the service might want to make some decisions before time runs out. DreamWorks Animation Partners with Video Site Los Angeles Times DreamWorks Animation has signed a deal with China's top online video site, Youku.com, to distribute the "Kung Fu Panda" movies in China, marking the first time that the studio's releases have been made available in that country through the Internet. Google Rivals Invest $100 Million for Mobile Battle Bloomberg Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T- Mobile plan to invest more than $100 million in their joint venture that lets consumers pay for goods with mobile phones. The investment sets up a showdown between their Isis venture and Google's mobile-payment service. Apple iPads to Be Pricier Than Large-Screen TVs Bloomberg Television prices have fallen so much that a typical set will soon cost less than an Apple iPad that is less than a tenth the size. "The value consumers ascribe to a TV set is lower than most manufacturers' costs," said one analyst. Features like 3-D are not "enough." Amazon: A 'Nasty' New Rival to Apple in Tablets Reuters Amazon may sell as many as 5 million tablet computers in the fourth quarter, making the Internet retailer the top competitor to Apple in this fast-growing niche of the consumer PC market, Forrester Research said. Amazon could become "a nasty competitor." Twitter Hires Former Top FCC Aide in Washington Politico Twitter is expanding its Washington presence, announcing that telecom policy veteran Colin Crowell will become its new head of global public policy. Crowell, a former senior adviser to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, helped shape broadband policies. Zynga Social Gamer Detoured on the Road to IPO New York Post Wall Street turmoil is affecting the timing of Zynga's public debut. The social-gaming company, which had been racing to launch an IPO early next month, is no longer in a rush because of the rocky stock markets. The public offering could be delayed until November. Yelp Joins Facebook in Retreat from Deal Services Bloomberg Yelp is scaling back its year-old deal service that competes with coupon sites such as Groupon, citing concern that consumers are being overwhelmed with offers. The local business review site's retreat follows Facebook's deal-service exit last week. TMZ Photo of Frail Steve Jobs Ignites Firestorm Reuters A photograph appearing to show an emaciated Steve Jobs surfaced on the Time Warner celebrity website TMZ, which said the picture was taken two days after the pancreatic cancer survivor resigned as Apple's CEO. TMZ's photo ignited a firestorm of indignation on Twitter. Twitter, Facebook: Half of Adults on Social Media Associated Press Half of all American adults are now on social networks, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Online social networks are most popular with young adults and women, and the "power users" of the social web are women aged 18 to 29. Facebook to Kill Off Its Competitor to Groupon Associated Press Facebook is ending its Deals program, which offered the site's 750 million users discounts similar to those offered by Groupon. Facebook said in a statement that it decided to end Deals after four months of testing. The service will wind down in coming weeks. Groupon, Daily Deals Will Die, Analysts Predict ClickZ News Both marketers and consumers will become addicted to Groupon-like daily deals and essentially overdose on them, according to a report by consultancy Forrester. "Employers (and spouses) will blacklist impulse deals to keep people intentional." Apple Developing Digital Television for 2012 VentureBeat Apple is said to be working on a digital television set based on its iOS operating system. The rumor is widespread among professionals in the gadget industry. "Apple will do to television manufacturers what it did to phone makers with the iPhone." Google TV Poised for a Reboot, Schmidt Hints Financial Times Google TV will soon be getting a reboot, hinted chief Eric Schmidt. After announcing the rollout of Google TV in Europe, Schmidt predicted that the Internet-television service would move from a set-top box to being incorporated within all TV sets within five years. Apple Ends 99-Cent Rentals of TV Episodes Los Angeles Times Apple has pulled the plug on its 99-cent rentals of television show episodes after making a push last year to persuade TV networks to sign on to the plan. Consumers, the company discovered, were just as willing to pay $1 or $2 more to purchase an episode. Apple Developing Technology for Video Delivery MacRumors Apple is said to be working on new technology to deliver video to televisions, and is mulling the launch of a subscription-TV service. Unlike the iPod and music, where the tech giant has a commanding position, the battle to rule online video remains wide open. AOL Denies Deal as It Huddles with M&A Team Adweek AOL has retained two of the biggest names in mergers and acquisitions, law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and investment banking company Allen & Co. But CEO Tim Armstrong insisted: "There is no deal on the table, no proposed deal. Our strategy hasn't changed." Flipboard Social Media Magazine Eyes TV, Films Reuters Flipboard, the social media magazine whose investors include actor Ashton Kutcher, plans to add TV shows and films to move it beyond online articles. The company hopes to cut deals with studios and enter into territory staked out by Netflix, Hulu and Facebook. Scribner: Stephen King to Release $2.99 E-Story Associated Press Stephen King is back in the e-book game. The horror master is releasing a short story in digital format. "Mile 81," a "chilling story" set at a Maine rest stop, will go on sale Sept. 1 at a suggested price of $2.99. The e-story will include an excerpt from King's next novel. Angie's List Review Site Files for $75 Million IPO Forbes Angie's List, a subscription-based website that provides user-written reviews of consumer service providers, has filed for a $75 million initial public offering. For the six months through June 30, the Indianapolis-based firm reported revenue of $38.6 million. Hulu: Dish Network to Join First-Round Bidders Variety Dish Network is said to be among the companies that will enter the first-round of bidding for Hulu, as a means to take on Netflix. Most reports have centered on the foursome of Google, Amazon, Yahoo and DirecTV as on the short list of bidders for the video website. Twitter, Facebook: UK Backs Down on Riot Block Guardian The U.K. government has backed down on plans to ban suspected rioters from using social networking websites in times of civil unrest. Research In Motion, Facebook and Twitter were eyed after prime minister David Cameron signaled a clampdown. Google, French Publisher End Feud on Digitizing AFP French publisher La Martiniere, which had battled in court to stop Google from publishing books online without permission, said it has come to an agreement with the Internet giant. The two companies will digitize works "that are no longer available for sale." Research In Motion Unveils Cloud Music Service Forbes BlackBerry maker Research In Motion has announced BBM Music, a $4.99-a-month cloud-based service for "socially connected music fans." The service includes "millions of songs" from the major music labels, including Universal, Sony, Warner and EMI. Pandora Ads Worth More Than Traditional Radio GigaOM Pandora, the Internet radio company, still has a long way to grow before it reaches the listener levels of terrestrial radio. But one analyst has calculated that the company is now "generating more ad revenue per 1,000 hours than traditional radio." Apple CEO Jobs Resignation Stuns Tech World San Jose Mercury News The resignation of Steve Jobs, who built Apple into the world's most valuable tech company, has stunned the tech world while raising new questions about his health. Jobs's exit as CEO of the maker of the iPhone, iPad and other gadgets gave a jolt to Wall Street. IPad Tablet Forecast to Become More Dominant CNET The Apple iPad will continue to gain market share and account for 74% of media tablet shipments in 2011, according to market researcher IHS-iSuppli. Apple will capitalize on its "competitors' stumbles," helping to cause an expansion of the global tablet market. Simon & Schuster to Update Biography of Jobs Bloomberg CBS's Simon & Schuster book publishing unit will update a coming biography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs to include his resignation as CEO. The release date for the book, written by former Time magazine editor Walter Isaacson, will remain Nov. 21. Amazon Expands Local Deals Site to More Cities Associated Press Amazon plans to expand its new local deals site to New York and other parts of the country, hoping discount-happy consumers will flock to its offerings as they have embraced market leader Groupon. AmazonLocal soon will be operating in 30 locations in 10 states. Google to Pay $500 Million Over Online Drug Ads Reuters Google has agreed to pay $500 million to settle a probe into advertisements it accepted for online Canadian pharmacies selling drugs in the United States. The ads led to illegal imports of prescription drugs, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Facebook, Twitter to Oppose Blocks During Riots Guardian Facebook and Twitter are expected to offer "no concessions" to police and government in future riots, amid calls by British prime minister David Cameron for social media sites to be blocked. The two sites played a major role in the recent riots in England. FunnyOrDie Joins With Web Firm Klout for Ads Bloomberg Comedian Will Ferrell's FunnyOrDie video website, a magnet for celebrity improv clips, has formed a partnership with web researcher Klout.com to promote advertiser-sponsored entertainment. The partners aim to combine their strengths to attract ads and audiences. Brightcove Video Firm Seeks $50 Million in IPO Boston Herald The online video software firm Brightcove is the latest in a string of tech companies to file for an initial public offering this summer, with plans to raise $50 million. "It's a classic company right below the companies we're all talking about — Facebook, Zynga, etc." Hulu First-Round Bids Extended to End of Week Reuters The deadline for initial bids in the auction for Hulu is said to have been extended from Wednesday until the end of the week to allow interested parties more time to examine the video site's financial data. Yahoo, Google, DirecTV and Amazon are expected to bid. Google Searches for Acquisitions to Grow in Asia Bloomberg Google is stepping up expansion in countries including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, where companies allocate a smaller proportion of their advertising spending online compared with the U.S. "Where it makes sense, we will look out for opportunities." Groupon Stumbles in China, Closes Some Offices Wall Street Journal Groupon's joint venture in China is said to have closed offices in some cities and laid off hundreds of employees, raising questions about the online coupon company's strategy in a big market ahead of its planned initial public offering of stock. Facebook Reworks Its Maligned Privacy Settings San Francisco Chronicle Facebook said it will overhaul its privacy settings to give members easier, more precise control over who sees posts, photos and other content over the vast social network. Privacy has been a consistently sticky problem for the leading social network. MySpace Revamps as Music Hub for Young Males Advertising Age When MySpace relaunches later this year under new corporate parent Specific Media and creative director Justin Timberlake, the former News Corp. social-networking site will emerge with new competitors like iTunes, Spotify and Vevo in its crosshairs. Twitter Seeks PR Help as It Plots Global Growth Advertising Age Twitter is on the hunt for a public-relations agency to help it through its next stage of growth. The microblogging service is in talks with a mix of large and small PR firms with offices in New York, where it has just opened a new office on Madison Avenue. Reddit Acquires Fan-Made Website RedditGifts TechCrunch Conde Nast's Reddit has made its first acquisition: RedditGifts, a popular user-to-user gift exchange service launched by a fan of the social news website. RedditGifts' two-person team "couldn't afford to keep maintaining the project while also working their day jobs." Apple CEO Jobs Resigns; Cook to Replace Him Reuters Silicon Valley legend Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO of Apple in a stunning move at the technology giant he co-founded in a garage. The 55-year-old Apple co-founder and pancreatic cancer survivor has been on medical leave for an undisclosed condition since Jan. 17. Facebook Seeks Acquisitions to Fight Google Bloomberg Facebook said it plans to make about 20 acquisitions in 2011, aiming to improve site design, keep its service reliable and advance mobile features to stave off competition from Google and Twitter. "We've built a culture that supports entrepreneurs." Twitter Gets Ad-Friendlier with Image Galleries Adweek Twitter's new "User Galleries" feature aggregates the last 100 pictures uploaded by a user via tweet and displays them in chronological order. "We think the feature will be good for advertisers, who now have greater incentive to include cool pictures in their tweets." Google Needs TV Industry, Chief Schmidt to Say Guardian When Google chief Eric Schmidt gives the MacTaggart lecture in Edinburgh on Friday, he is expected to tell the audience of TV execs that the Internet giant wants to help the industry realize a bright future. The contents of his speech remain a closely guarded secret. Facebook Streaming Movie App Due from Miramax paidContent Miramax is launching the largest-scale Facebook streaming movie venture yet. The so-called Miramax eXperience will go live on Facebook with 20 titles for rent in the U.S. and 10 each in U.K. and Turkey; France and Germany are due in the near future. Amazon, Sony Online Movies Bested by Walmart Financial Times Walmart has become one of the largest U.S. providers of movies online, overtaking Sony and Amazon and competing directly with Apple's iTunes, according to IHS Screen Digest. Walmart bought the online film store Vudu last year and has discounted prices of digital movies. Skype to Buy New York-Based Start-Up GroupMe New York Post Skype has agreed to acquire the New York-based start-up GroupMe, a move that moves the Internet calling giant into the business of providing group messaging services on smartphones. The one-year-old company was said to have been purchased for around $80 million. Facebook, Twitter Appeal to Record U.S. Visitors TechCrunch Facebook and Twitter both saw record traffic in terms of U.S. unique visitors in July, according to comScore. Twitter also posted record traffic in its five-year history; with 32.8 million unique U.S. visitors in July, up from 30.6 million unique visitors in June. Groupon Founders Seek to Buy Wrigley Building Crain's Chicago Groupon co-founders Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky are in advanced talks to buy the ornate, two-tower Wrigley Building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago and make it the new home for their three-year-old company and other firms in their portfolio of tech startups. Google Pays $100 Million to Acquire Dealmap New York Post Google, which offered to buy Groupon for $6 billion and was rebuffed, is said to have ponied up $100 million to acquire Dealmap, a much smaller startup. Dealmap, which aggregates deal offers, announced its sale earlier this month but didn't disclose the price. Apple Developing New Hi-Res iPad for 2012 Wall Street Journal Apple is said to be working with component suppliers and its assembler in Asia for the trial production of its next generation iPad. The iPad3 aims to launch in early 2012. The next generation tablet computer is expected to feature a higher resolution display. Groupon to Add Customers' Location Data Chicago Tribune Groupon is developing technology that will track customers' location, even if they don't have a Groupon app open on their phones. The daily deal site has disclosed details of its plans in response to Congressional questions about its privacy policies. RIM in Talks for BlackBerry IM Music Service CNET News Research in Motion is said to be in talks with the four largest record companies about launching a music service to run on top of BlackBerry Messenger, its instant-messenger service. RIM has signed a deal with at least one of the top-four record companies. Facebook Friends 'Big Lebowski' for Rentals Variety With "The Big Lebowski" debuting on Blu-ray, Universal Pictures is also offering the film via rental on Facebook. The deal marks the latest movie rental opportunity through the social network, after Warner Bros. and Paramount started making films available in March. Foursquare, ESPN Team Up for Sporting Events Broadcasting & Cable ESPN will be supplying information and news to Foursquare's newly launched Events platform, a location based check-in service at venues around the country. ESPN will provide facts, stats, and other up-to-the-minute news on ESPN-branded venue pages. AOL Seen as Takeover Target by Private Equity Bloomberg With AOL trading at a 43% discount, the Internet company may attract private equity buyers. "It's possible, now that the stock has fallen, that the company could be a takeover candidate," said one analyst. "This is a cash cow that's melting like an ice cube." Hulu Sale Speculation Heats Up with Bids Due Hollywood Reporter The first bids for online video provider Hulu are believed to be due late this week. DirecTV is not expected to submit a bid. Yahoo is seen likely to seek to buy out one or two of the current owners and take a stake, in order to make the deal more digestible. Netflix Eyes Europe, Asia in Global Growth Push Los Angeles Times Netflix is gearing up to launch in Spain and Britain in the first half of 2012 and is exploring several other countries in Europe and Asia for later debuts. CEO Reed Hastings has named international expansion as a key driver for Netflix's growth in the coming years. Facebook to 'Televise' Its First Live Soccer Match ESPN Facebook on Friday will stream its first live soccer match, a preliminary round game between Ascot United and Wembley. The social networking site will be "televising" the clash — the first of its kind anywhere in the sport — to a potential audience of 700 million people. Google Unveils Music Discovery Web 'Publication' CNET News Google has launched Google Magnifier, a feature to help users of its online music storage service discover and obtain new music. In addition to free music tracks, the site offers videos of live performances, artist interviews and a chance to explore musical genres. YouTube Poised for Deals with Music Publishers San Francisco Chronicle The National Music Publishers Association dropped its appeal of a court ruling that found YouTube didn't infringe copyrights when it displayed videos without authorization. The resolution will allow music publishers to form licensing deals with YouTube and receive royalties. Capital New York News Startup Raises Capital Advertising Age Capital New York, an online news startup based in Manhattan, has raised $1.7 million with plans to increase its editorial staff to nine. Angel investor Adam Riggs led the new funding. Capital New York was founded in June last year by former editors of the New York Observer. Apple Sued for $26 Million Over iPhone User Data Associated Press A group of 27,000 South Koreans is suing Apple for $26 million to "protect privacy" rights from the collection of iPhone user location data. Apple revealed in April that its iPhones were storing locations of nearby cellphone towers and Wi-Fi hot spots for up to a year. Netflix Gets Kid Friendly Amid Subscriber Backlash Associated Press Netflix is giving children and their parents a new reason to embrace its video subscription service amid an outcry over an upcoming price increase. A "Just For Kids" tab, offering kid-friendly recommendations, will be added to subscriber accounts beginning Tuesday. Google to Take On Cable Operators with Motorola Financial Times Google's planned acquisition of Motorola Mobility will put it in a potentially uncomfortable relationship with cable giants like Comcast and Time Warner Cable. "Google will become not only a potential competitor, but also a potential source of set-top box innovation." Google Guns for Apple with Motorola Mobility Deal USA Today Google's $12.5 billion deal to buy Motorola Mobility will give the Internet search giant power to build smartphones and TV set-top boxes from scratch. The deal will put Google squarely in competition with Apple in mobile and living-room entertainment. YouTube: Music Videos Dominate Site Categories Advertising Age Some 40% of YouTube's audience clicked in July to watch music videos, more than any other category. Vevo accounted for 38% of YouTube's entire monthly viewers, easily the most-watched channel within the video-sharing site, according to comScore. Amazon to Publish Book by Best-Selling Author New York Times Amazon has announced that it will publish the next book by Timothy Ferriss, the popular self-help guru. Said Ferriss: "The opportunity to partner with a tech company that is embracing publishing is very different than partnering with a publisher embracing technology." Glam Media Unveils Brand-Focused Mobile Ad Net TechCrunch Glam Media, one of the largest publishing and advertising networks on the web, is taking on Apple's iAd with the launch of GlamMobile, a mobile ad platform that aims to allow brand advertisers to engage with Glam's readers of its mobile site. Apple Delays Production of New iPad Until 2012 DigiTimes Apple is said to have canceled its iPad 3 supply schedule for the second half of 2011. The company was set to launch its new version of the tablet computer before the holiday season. Sources claim that Apple's partners are unable supply certain display parts. Facebook Stake Sold Off by Ad Giant Interpublic New York Times The Interpublic Group of Companies, which has owned a tiny stake in Facebook since the days the social networking website was just for college students, has sold half its holdings for a hefty take of about $130 million. "We decided that it made sense" to divest. AP, Google Unveil Journalism & Tech Scholarship CyberJournalist The Associated Press and Google are launching a U.S. scholarship program for digital journalism students. The Online News Association will administer the program, which will provide $20,000 scholarships to six undergraduate or graduate students. HuffPost Criticized Over Request for Free Work Poynter The design association AIGA, which has more than 20,000 members, has described the Huffington Post's contest seeking a free politics logo as unethical: "Requesting work for free demonstrates a lack of respect for the designer and the design process." Google to Buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 Billion AllThingsD Google has announced plans to acquire Motorola Mobility, a mobile handset business, for $12.5 billion. The Internet giant said the deal will allow the company to both "supercharge the Android ecosystem and enhance competition in mobile computing."
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