Google just introduced badges to spur readers to consumer more news online.

Now, in another sign that gaming is increasingly integrating with social media across all verticals, Badgeville, the social loyalty platform, just closed a $12 million round of financing.

Back in May, Badgeville CEO Kris Duggan told us, “Gamification is the how, and loyalty is the why. We’re the Salesforce.com of gamification.” 

To that end, its patent-pending Dynamic Game Engine and Widget Studio give businesses and marketers technology that increases consumer engagement and loyalty through configurable, real-time, social rewards and analytics. 

The Series B round is led by Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) and El Dorado Ventures, and Norwest’s Tim Chang and Tom Peterson from El Dorado Ventures are both joining the board. 

“This investment comes at the heels of two consecutive seven-figure sales quarters, and 40 percent quarter over quarter growth,” said Duggan in a release.

We asked Duggan how he’ll use the new funding.Continue reading...

Amazon's Android tablets reportedly codenamed Coyote and Hollywood.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's personal brand rocked by confession he fathered a child with household staffer.

Birds Eye plans new sales push in Russia.

BP Russian pact with Rosneft collapses.

California pushes for tighter security controls on social networks.

Conde Nast expands iPad magazine editions.

Disney may make power play for Olympics sponsorship; and fined $3M for violating kids' privacy.

Facebook meets with bankers to discuss IPO.Continue reading...

GM focuses on Chevrolet and Cadillac and its impending IPO as Buick "very quietly" becomes the fastest growing car brand in the U.S. Detroit is also rebounding. After huge losses and deep cuts that led to the bailout of GM and Chrysler, the gloom over the American auto industry is starting to lift.

Facebook bought semantic search firm Chai Labs for more than $10M, while Google is said to be close to acquiring visual search startup Like.com for $100M+.

Google is launching a New York-based think tank (tentatively called Google Ideas) to develop "technology solutions to problems faced by the developing world."

An Apple employee was arrested Friday for allegedly receiving more than $1 million in kickbacks from six suppliers in Asia.Continue reading...

Chili’s, Kona Grill and other U.S. restaurant operators are checking into Foursquare. Stacey Sullivan, a spokesperson for Chili’s parent, the Dallas-based Brinker International Inc., tells Nation's Restaurant News that the chain, which is using a promo code to track check-ins, is seeing a 20% redemption rate among those checking in and redeeming their actions for the chips and salsa.

Delta is the first airline to allow passengers to book flights on Facebook. TechCrunch writes that Delta's Ticket Window Facebook app will expand to other social networking sites, "including online banner ads to allow full booking capabilities within the airline’s advertisements."

Disney's just-acquired Playdom is working on a Facebook game featuring Marvel characters. Details are sparse, but Social Times thinks that RPG (role-playing games) featuring Marvel characters would be a big hit.

Google is investing $3M-$5M in mobile games-maker ngmoco, which Brandchannel's Barry Silverstein recently profiled.

MTV's first digital-only series will be heavily social in nature, with MTV UK launching the shortform series Being Victor on Sept. 7th. The big news isn't that it's a Web-only series or social, but "that it's MTV doing this," Fast Company writes in a blog post.Continue reading...

Google is developing a rival (not clone, says CEO Eric Schmidt) to Facebook. One of the parties it's talking to: Playdom, a social games developer that was just bought by Disney for $763 million.

Amazon incorporates Facebook recommendations, while Kindle sees first million bestselling author: Stieg Larsson.

Apple unveils $69 "magic trackpad."

BMW gets wrist slapped in the U.K. for ad claiming "0% emissions."

Continental-United merger receives EU go-ahead to create the world's largest airline.Continue reading...

Tabasco celebrates its 142nd anniversary and discusses future plans. [CNN Money]

The newest Sprint ad challenges similar AT&T and Verizon prices. [Brandweek]

Aflac spends over $60 million annually on advertising. [Adweek]

Google adds photo editing website Picnik to its list of recent purchases. [NY Times]

Apple has admitted to employing underage workers in its factories. [Consumerist]

The latest episode of CBS's 'Undercover Boss' tackles White Castle. [Daily Finance]Continue reading...

Nokia envisions mobile networks by 2015. [Mobile Behavior]

Starbucks' Via rollout too aggro for some customers and baristas. [BusinessWeek]

For holidays, e-commerce sites roll out coupons, free shipping. [Econsultancy]

Wal-Mart plans to avoid repeat of last year's deadly Black Friday. [Business Insider]

Nine-figure deals for Playdom and Playfish show soaring valuations for social gamers. [CNET]

Sarah Palin faces press to promote new $5 million book, Going Rogue. [NY Times]