Microsoft announces the departure of Windows chief (and Ballmer's heir apparent) in wake of Windows 8 launch.

LG breaks through with new smartphone.

Hostess Brands starts closing plants as workers strike.

Acura brings Dr. Phil and Suze Orman into its Christmas promo campaign.

Apple finally gives in on employee perks.

Bojangles recruits American Idol winner Scotty McCreery for campaign.

Cadillac shows design chops in China.

Callaway Golf drives buzz on Twitter for new high-tech driver.Continue reading...

AP settles copyright suit against Obama "Hope" poster artist Shepard Fairey.

Apple shares hit all-time high.

Burger King tests first stuffed hamburger.

Chrysler reports global sales increase.

Conan O'Brien says he's happy with life, ratings post-NBC.

Discovery Communications CEO David Zaslav shakes up US network execs, promoting Eileen O'Neill to run TLC and Discovery Channel.Continue reading...

In the continuing saga of "Homeless to Hollywood" overnight sensation Ted Williams, the golden-voiced former DJ may have just made his first misstep: agreeing to appear on Dr. Phil's talkshow.

In an episode that airs Wednesday, Williams and his estranged family were brought together by the Oprah-fied self-help guru (we assume it's just matter of time before Williams appears on Winfrey's show, too).

In the course of taping an argument broke out, followed by news that Williams was "detained" by police. Apparently, a heated argument with his daughter, who was brought to Los Angeles for the Dr. Phil taping, led to a disturbance report. Some media outlets, incorrectly, used the word "arrested" in their reports of the incident.Continue reading...

She may be on her OWN soon, but Oprah Winfrey's world is about to get a lot bigger.

Launching her 24/7 OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network in a 50/50 partnership  between her Harpo Productions and Discovery Communications on January 1, the Winfrey-"curated" (as CEO Christina Norman told CNN) channel will debut in 80 million U.S. homes via cable and satellite, where it's replacing the Discovery Health Channel.

Initial bumps in development caused Discovery to increase funding to $189 million and Winfrey to increase her on-air appearances, including starring in Oprah's Next Chapter.Continue reading...

Verizon and the National Network to End Domestic Violence have launched a text-to-donate program, featuring Dr. Phil, who has devoted his ninth season on-air to campaigning against domestic violence.

The partnership gives consumers an easy option to support those affected by domestic violence during October, which is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Text "HOPE" to 41010 to make a one-time, $10 donation to NNEDV, the largest network of coalitions against domestic violence in the U.S. Verizon's HopeLine will match donations up to a total of $50,000.

Oprah Winfrey may be retiring, but her domination of daytime television will live on via a cadre of handpicked minions.

Nate Berkus, the latest addition to Oprah's empire, is a decorator and design expert who is a familiar face to her regular viewers. Though his name isn't as familiar as the others that Ms. Winfrey has shot to stardom -- Rachael Ray, Dr. Phil McGraw, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, for example -- just wait.

Harpo Productions, Oprah's production company, will collaborate with Sony Pictures Television and introduce the new daytime talk show, hosted by Nate Berkus, in the fall.

The power vacuum left by Ms. Winfrey's exit from daytime television has the industry worried, and for good reason. The cultural juggernaut has been a reliable mainstay and television icon for years, often causing phenomenal surges in consumer spending in industries from books to cakes with her personal recommendations. Now Ms. Winfrey is moving on, and setting up her friends and personal favorites in the wake of her exit. However, choosing Mr. Berkus wasn't solely an emotional decision based on relationships, but one based on business.Continue reading...