Sony is recalling about half a million Vaio laptops worldwide. The issue: concerns about laptop overheating, following complaints that the heat monitoring chip in its series C and F Vaio models could be defective, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The brand, which just unveiled its Signature collection, also showcased its skinned collaboration with Billabong at a recent charity event (above) for Design with Humanity in Los Angeles.

As for Sony fans facing life without their Vaio while the chip is replaced, there's always this $37 model as a temporary laptop.

Apple acknowledges iPhone 4 antenna issue, suggests users hold it differently.

AXA unloads British assets for $4 billion.

BlackBerry-maker RIM misses profit targets as Apple gains market share.

Boeing denies fleet grounding while 787 Dreamliner technical issue is investigated.Continue reading...

Celebrities are flocking to South Africa for the World Cup — and not just for media attention, but also for philanthropy.

The pre-opening kick-off concert featuring Shakira did draw some local ire as many South Africans felt that a homegrown artist should have been given the highly coveted and globally-viewed spot center stage. She also used the platform to help Sony promote its 3D TV World Cup campaign.

But off-stage, Shakira made time to promote African charities, including visiting a school in Soweto and dancing a few steps with the kids featured in the Waka Waka — This Time for Africa video.

She also used her clout to speak about the value of education: "I wish that every kid in the world has a happy childhood and access to a good education. [The World Cup is] an enormous opportunity in which the world comes together to bring to light themes like education."Continue reading...

Google released a video explaining its upcoming Google TV platform with Sony. Find out more in Sheila Shayon's posts here and here.

President Obama's first White House speech last night, which addressed the Gulf of Mexico disaster, lambasted BP's "recklessness" and promised the company's reparations fund and swift action, while also focusing on U.S. energy policy.

In response to Obama's speech, a BP spokesperson told CNN that the company shared his goals of "shutting off the well as quickly as possible, cleaning up the oil and mitigating the impact on the people and environment of the Gulf Coast," and viewed today's Washington hearing with BP executives "for a constructive discussion about how best to achieve these mutual goals."

BP, also under fire for staff "reporter" while blocking media, now faces more than 225 lawsuits in 11 states. TED's upcoming Washington event will tackle the oil spill later this month. More brands in the news after the jump.Continue reading...

ESPN launches its 3D channel tomorrow, in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup kick-off game with Mexico vs. South Africa. At launch ESPN 3D will be available to more than 40 million U.S. homes via Comcast, DirecTV and AT&T's U-verse service.

ESPN's Pardon the Interruption debated the merits of ESPN in 3D vs. HD (above) after it was announced at CES in January. 

Launch advertisers, including Disney's Pixar, P&G's Gillette, and Sony's new 3DTV, will promote their brands in commercials that will run during the World Cup coverage. Naturally, ESPN hopes the channel will spur more marketers to think in three dimensions.Continue reading...

Now this is a Google Earth 3D tour worth watching – even if you’re not a soccer, footie or futbol fan. As the world awaits Friday's kick-off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, with baited breath, this video tour showcases technology at its best – and portends the drama about to unfold.

The virtual fly-by is eerily evocative of the Roman Coliseum, a.k.a., the Flavian Amphitheatre, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. The Coliseum seated 50,000 spectators who routinely gathered to watch gladiatorial contest and public spectacles – including executions, re-enactments of famous battles, animal hunts, and mock sea battles. (Some of those themes are echoed in World Cup brand marketers' ads, official and unofficial.)

For a more leisurely, stadium-by-stadium look, click here. At least it won't cause headaches, like Sony's 3D World Cup promotion.

Brandchannel has rated brands' ambush marketing campaigns to tap into World Cup fever. Now, it's time to look at marketing efforts from FIFA's 2010 brand partners.

When it comes to official sponsors, FIFA is being more selective this year. This World Cup claims just six top-level brand partners, a steep drop from 15 in 2006.

The total value of its 2010 sponsorships reportedly tops $1.2 billion, with brands like Adidas and Visa forking over $350 million each and Sony ponying up $305 million for the honor. Meanwhile, Coca Cola says this is the brand's largest campaign ever.

This goal of this World Cup's crop of commercials? Outdo the 2006 Adidas ad, a true fan favorite. It captured the World Cup spirit, star power, humor, and futbol skills. It was everything a World Cup ad should be.

Here's how this year's ads from FIFA's official brand partners stack up, graded from 1-10:

ADIDAS: Star Wars - Adidas has the daunting challenge of outdoing its prior "Legends" ad, a hit at the 2006 Cup. Not only was it a fan favorite, it was measurably successful; Adidas saw a sales increase of 30% during the 2006 event. Its entry this cycle? A mash-up of the iconic Star Wars cantina scene and modern pop culture (with cameos including British soccer god David Beckham) is generating huge buzz. But after the neat-o stunt nature of the spot wears off, it's apparent that it's a bit of a missed opportunity.Continue reading...