Every April 1st, Google tries to outdo itself with a new array of April Fools' Day pranks, and this year was no different.

Users of Google quickly spotted a “Google Nose” link that appeared on April 1st that invited consumers to smell what they are seeing on the site, whether it is a campfire or a flower. Or, at least, it would let them “leverage new and existing technologies to offer the sharpest olfactory experience available.”Continue reading...

In a bid to outdo last year's April Fool's Day jokes, a few April Foolin' Around branded fake gags today include:

• Richard Branson's next adventure, Virgin Volcanic, will take the intrepid billionaire to the center of the earth with Tom Hanks;

• in addition to really advanced search and Google TV Click, perennial prankster Google brings its self-driving car to NASCAR racing (above) and, below, announces Morse Code-based Gmail Tap (double your typing speed!) with LL Cool J, plus 8-bit Google Maps for the neglected Nintendo Entertainment System, and more:Continue reading...

The Pew Research Center today revealed which tech brands dominate news coverage in the US — but tech brands are also king down under.

High tech is now the darling of Australian consumers, according to a new survey. That country's list of most-loved brands is dominated by technology companies, according to a  global survey conducted by Brand Asset Consulting. Google, Micosoft, Nokia, Sony, Apple and eBay are all at the top of the list.

David Evans, research director of Brand Asset Consulting, tells Australia's SmartCompany, "There really was no surprise that tech brands are the top of the leading brands, but the surprise is in the extent to which they're being admired by the majority of consumers and not just geeks."Continue reading...

Berkshire acquires remaining stake of Burlington Northern. [WSJ]

Sony Ericcson unveils first Android smartphone, on sale early next year. [NY Times]

Starbucks dumps "Gold" loyalty program in favor of "My Starbucks Rewards." [Business Insider]

Lloyd's and RBS agree to sell assets for further federal aid. [NY Times]

UBS expects further client hemorrhaging. [NY Times]

Year-for-year sales at Toyota decline. [WSJ]

Carmakers grapple with pronounciation of "2010." [NY Times]

Embattled Liz Claiborne CEO renews contract for three years. [WSJ]

(More headlines: Peets, Illy, Starbucks, Vegemite iSnack rises).Continue reading...

As Kraft backpedals on its treasured Vegemite brand, Australia is experiencing its own Tropicana debacle (a profound branding change that upsets consumers).

Hoping to increase consumer involvement, Kraft recently crowdsourced the brand name of its new, more spreadable version of Vegemite. Having consumers choose the name worked well with the original Vegemite brand, so it made sense to try the same approach again.

The result? "iSnack 2.0."

Seriously.Continue reading...