Mobile ads have been christened as the holy grail for internet companies, and rightfully so. In a new study by eMarketer, Google is projected to rake in $8.9 billion in mobile ad revenue in 2013, claiming 56 percent of the mobile ad market. 

While other companies like Facebook, Twitter and Pandora are quickly growing their mobile ad revenue as well, their share of the ad pie pales in comparison to Google, which earns one of every two dollars spent on mobile advertising. 

According to the study, Facebook, which came in at a distant second to Google, is learning the ropes rather quickly by streamlining mobile ads into its interface though sponsored and targeted posts. Ad integration is becoming an integral and necessary trait of mobile ads that don't take away from the mobile experience, but enhance it.Continue reading...

Microsoft and Best Buy plan mini "Windows Stores."

Amtrak hires esteemed chefs to ramp up its train food.

YouTube becomes overwhelming platform for fan-made branded content.

US Supreme Court strikes down gene patents.

Airbus lifts A350 to maiden flight ahead of schedule even as it copes with losses from aircraft's predecessor model.

Arby's franchisees helped get CMO ousted.

Audi is top choice of marriage cheaters in UK, survey says.

BMI sues Pandora over fees.

Bloomberg sees reporters' practices become critical issue for company.

Cadillac boosts sticker on new CTS by whopping $6,000.

Chevrolet believes racing on Sunday still sells on Monday.

Chrysler recalls sprinkling of trucks, Darts.Continue reading...

Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC, began as expected with a keynote from CEO Tim Cook that reflected upon the brand's hometown inspiration, as well as a thorough run-down of Apple's latest user statistics.

Notably, the afternoon event introduced a new operating system—Mavericks— for Mac, ending the company's cat-themed era. Brand executives also unveiled a new, cylindrical MacBook Pro, a MacBook Air with an 11-hour battery, and a near-complete overhaul of its iOS interface, introducing iOS 7. 

Top of mind, though, were the swirling rumors about a supposed music streaming service. Not long into the presentation, execs confirmed the new iTunes Radio service, which will be built into the music app.Continue reading...

Nike drops Livestrong lines after 2013 holidays.

Netflix sees stock tank as poor reviews of new Arrested Development come in.

Walmart pleads guilty to illegal dumping.

Airbus tackles flaws in superjumbo jet.

Amazon launches men's grooming platform.

Apple hints at producing wearable devices as CEO Tim Cook insists company's innovation streak hasn't run out.

Chevrolet unveils social media effort for L.A. Galaxy sponsorship and says its new Corvette is the most powerful ever.

Comedy Central gets temporary lifting of ban in India.

Coty files for IPO of up to $1 billion.

Dell approaches heated phase of buyout battle.

GoDaddy gets ready for new domains.Continue reading...

ESPN begins hundreds of layoffs.

H&M says that some clothes were produced in collapsed factory in Cambodia.

Target misses earnings expectations and cuts outlook.

Cable networks are rebranding, and pay-TV brands aren't happy about it. 

Dairy Queen to debut new ad campaign that promotes its burgers and fries.

Dodge enjoys star turn for its Challenger at premiere of Fast and Furious 6.

EA lawsuit over players' videogame-likeness issue threatens NCAA policies.

Facebook becoming less popular among teens, Pew study finds. 

Ferrero backs off attack on World Nutella Day.

Fisker Automotive reportedly sees bid by boutique firm led by former GM exec Bob Lutz and Chinese supplier.Continue reading...

Google confirmed speculation that it would launch a music service at its annual I/O developer conference Wednesday. The internet giant announced Google Play Music All Access, a subscription-based service that is a little bit of Spotify, Pandora and Twitter #Music all in one. Apparently, the internet behemoth's announcements went over well with Wall Street, as Google's shares closed at a record high of $900, putting the company's market cap over $300 billion. 

Unlike Google Music, its cloud music service that lets users upload up to 20,000 purchased songs to listen to on Android devices or on the web, the Google Play Music All Access subscription service launches it into direct competition with music streaming services like Spotify—which has 24 million active monthly users, 6 million paying subscribers and more than 20 million licensed songs in 28 countries—as well as Pandora. Though unlike either of the other services, Google's All Access won't have a free option. The service, which will be available across the web, mobile and tablets will cost $9.99 per month after a 30-day free trial. 

“It makes lots of sense for both YouTube and Play, which was built for Google’s Android devices, to sell music subscriptions,” notes AllThingsD. “YouTube is the world’s biggest free music service, which could make it a fantastic funnel for a Spotify-like paid offering, which can also help solve some problems with the music labels."Continue reading...

ESPN apologizes for comments by commentator after NBA player announces he's gay.

Honda recalls almost 46,000 Fits in North America.

Chrysler sees profit tumble on poorly executed product launches.

Alibaba and Sina form alliance of China online businesses.

Apple files for new technology that tells whether to text or call friends.

Asos prepares marketing drive to grow global brand.

BP reviews safety after oil leak in North Sea.

Best Buy sells Europe unit back to Carphone Warehouse.

BlackBerry CEO questions future of tablets (which brand doesn't have).Continue reading...

Roku has sold 5 million of its video and music streaming set-top boxes since launching in 2008, totaling 8 billion pieces of content streamed. That's an impressive performance for a little black box. 

As more and more reports swirl around the fact that consumers are turning away from traditional TV and cable, Roku claims that 25 percent of its customers use the device as their primary way of viewing television. 

"The milestone is significant, since it indicates that there’s a very real and growing market out there for a device that essentially just acts as a service layer for bringing web-based content to televisions, independent of what TV manufacturers themselves are doing with their own built-in Smart TV services," notes Tech Crunch.Continue reading...