Microsoft will announce Monday a plan to sell tablets under its own brand, in a challenge to Apple's iPad, while Amazon reportedly plans to launch cloud music service in July to rival iTunes.

Kirin Holdings agreed to pay $200.9 million Australian dollars (US$203.4 million) for the shares it doesn't already own in Australian boutique brewer Little World Beverages, as Japanese companies expand offshore to combat flagging domestic demand.

Dr Martens owners seeks up to £200m from potential buyers.

AirAsia plans to follow Virgin model with brand extensions.

Android relaunches user interface.Continue reading...

Facebook I.P.O. raises regulatory concerns, as regulators review Morgan Stanley's pre-Facebook IPO actions and the social network's share price drops 18% below IPO price and shareholders worry. NASDAQ is also being sued by an irate investor, while Facebook, its bankers and CEO Mark Zuckerberg are also being sued. One hot commodity: Zuckerberg's post-IPO secret wedding to Priscilla Chan sees Claire Pettibone-designed wedding dress "go viral."

Apple's iPad played a key role in the largest debt restructuring in history, with 100 iPads saving Greece $140 billion. European banks were less prepared for the Greek economic crisis.

SAP to acquire Ariba for $4.3 billion in push into cloud.

Alcatel-Lucent technology made the Internet five times faster.

Amazon's massive cloud business raises questions.

FOX's American Idol lost nearly a quarter of its still-huge audience this season.Continue reading...

Amazon launches YoYo portal for kids toys.

American Express buys virtual currency monetization platform for $30 million.

Angry Birds is poised to expand as Rovio works with Starbucks and other brands to expand footprint.

Apple's stock closes at all-time high.

Braun announces theme for 2012 BraunPrize.

CNN opens first CNN Cafe, in Seoul.Continue reading...

Apple-led group including RIM and Ericsson buys Nortel patents for $4.5B.

Apple passes 100,000 iPad apps.

Audi targets Ferrari on racing circuit.

BP launches first TV commercial in the UK in five years.

Bulgari signs Rachel Weisz, develops branded hotel with Marriott to open in London.

Chevy US sales hit 20-year high.Continue reading...

Activision Blizzard tests subscription for Call of Duty videogame.

AmEx custom publishing writes success story.

Apple to reveal iCloud and iOS5 on June 6th.

AT&T faces growing opposition to T-Mobile acquisition.

Budweiser, Miller High Life appeal to Americans' patriotic spirit.

Colombia coffee growers create logo to woo Chinese from tea to lattes.

Comcast buys Blackstone's stake in Universal's Orlando parks.Continue reading...

Microsoft buys Skype for $8.5 billion. Skype CEO Tony Bates will become president of Microsoft Skype.

Google launches license-free Music Beta cloud-based online music service.

Greece is on the brink of another financial disaster.

Android surpasses iPhone in Japan.

Apple and Google face US lawmakers on location tech today.

Bank of America has billions of dollars in new losses at stake.Continue reading...

Emerson College student Julie Burdan, despite being in nearby Boston, isn't impressed by L.L.Bean's unconditional free shipping move, which we just noted. "Big woop. Isn't it standard now?" the graduate marketing communications grad student tweeted back at @brandchannelhub.

Thanks, Julie! And to return the favor, we're sharing your response to Ogilvy's video case study (above) on how Lacta's Facebook page became the most popular in Greece via a personalized chocolate bar FB app.