It’s been a big week in the twitter-verse as the micro-blogger, now transmitting close to 400 million messages a day, has made three decisive moves forward.

First, Twitter announced the implementation of a two-factor authentication technology to boost security for its users after recent hacker attacks on the Financial Times, The Onion and the Associated Press accounts. The lack of added security reached a crescendo of criticism in April when a fake tweet about a non-existent White House explosion, sent from the AP account, caused havoc in US financial markets.

The two-factor authentication feature, which is voluntary for users, sends a second, one-time log-in code via text message, making it harder for hackers to break-in to an account with just a main password. Both Jeep and Burger King have been victims as well. Criticized for not putting such measures into place earlier, a Twitter rep said the rollout was delayed due to required updates to its SMS architecture. Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Apple offer it already.Continue reading...

BMW is investing 3 billion euros in EVs and marketing. 

AP execs outraged over government probe of phone records.

Sony is targeted for breakup by American investor.

Airbus aims to steal limelight from Boeing at upcoming Paris Air Show.

Amazon workers go on strike in Germany.

BNP Paribas eyes mobile and online banking.

Citibank says "no fees" means "never."

Coach approached Tory Burch about a deal.

Coca-Cola faces claim that Coke top-secret recipe has been found.Continue reading...

Twitter Ads is now open for business to all U.S. users! More info here: bit.ly/1574r1p. Get started today: bit.ly/13r84xk

— Twitter Small Biz (@TwitterSmallBiz) April 30, 2013

All is a-twitter at the micro blogger as hacks continue to occur of high-profile accounts. In April, hackers broke into and tweeted from the accounts of CBS, NPR, and the Associated Press, posting messages that the US government was “in bed”  with terrorists, and that there had been a (fake) explosion at the White House.

“That one bogus AP tweet caused the Dow Jones Industrial Average to drop 1 percent almost immediately, highlighting just how much people trust Twitter as a breaking news resource," VentureBeat points out.

A group called the Syrian Electronic Army took credit for the hacks, but the potential for other copycats is so great, Twitter is urging companies not to share passwords in emails or over the Internet and to limit the number of people with access to the their Twitter account. The company is even advising publishers to designate one computer exclusively for tweeting. Additionally, publications are advised to use two-factor authentication on email addresses, use strong passwords and store passwords on LastPass or 1Password.Continue reading...

Apple posts first profit drop in a decade.

AP Twitter hack results in brief panic on Wall Street.

Coach prepares for change as Creative Director announces exit.

Lance Armstrong is accused of defrauding US in lawsuit.

BlackBerry brings back keyboard phone as part of rebirth.

Coke launches 61 unique websites for new teen-focused campaign as company's board also undergoes youth movement.

Dell approves executive-retention bonuses.

FedEx fends off rivals for US Postal contract.

Ford sees profits rise to North American record, offsetting losses in Europe.Continue reading...

Uhh explosions in Boston

— DeLo (@DeLoBarstool) April 15, 2013

On Monday, April 15 at 2:50pm, Twitter user @DeLoBarstool tweeted one of the first internet records of the Boston Marathon bombings. From that point on, social media users, citizen journalists and venerable broadcasters fell down the rabbit-hole of misinformation, spurred by an unprecedented eagerness to capture and respond to the first terrorist act on American soil since 9/11—when things like Facebook, Twitter and smartphones didn’t exist.

Over a week later, the conversation that frames the bombings and subsequent manhunt is not so much about old versus new media, but rather how the proliferation of digital and social tools have reframed the information ecosystem, resulting in an unprecedented and uneasy alliance.Continue reading...

Alexander McQueen brand expands to bespoke tailor on London's Savile Row.

American Airlines parent AMR reportedly eyeing bankruptcy court to void union contracts.

Angry Birds Space lands.

Apple antitrust suit would impact Amazon book monopoly.

Associated Press picks CEO successor.

AT&T reinvents the steering wheel.

Benihaha becomes target of takeover bids.

China factory activity shrinks in March.

Datsun revival seen as Nissan strategy not to devalue Infiniti.Continue reading...

Amazon wins British top brand survey; and expands deal with FOX to stream TV shows and movies as the News Corp.-owned network gambles $50 million on Terra Nova series.

Apple dips on the back of JPMorgan's back-and-forth reports on iPad output.

Barnes & Noble will receive Borders customer list by end of October.

Berkshire Hathaway moves toward massive repurchase of its own shares, underscoring dilemma for companies – and investors like its chief, Warren Buffett —about what to do with their cash.

China's ‘Facebook’ (RenRen) buys Chinese YouTube (56.com).

Coca-Cola CEO sees U.S. becoming less business-friendly than China.Continue reading...

British PM David Cameron tells Parliament that he now regrets hiring former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as News Corp. faces US calls for Dow Jones inquiry over phone hacking and London police say their investigation could take years. Wendi Murdoch fever also explodes on the web as her husband's media empire attempts to restore reputation.

American Express reports record cardholder spending.

American Idol co-creator Simon Fuller is suing Simon Cowell for a cut of The X Factor on FOX.

Associated Press will link to sources starting Aug. 1st.

Coach signs Gwyneth Paltrow for UK launch campaign.

Google offers credit card to advertisers, winds down Google Labs, launches Google+ iPhone app.

Intel quarterly results beats analysts' expectations.Continue reading...