Typically mentioned as the international competitor to Facebook, Orkut, Google’s “also-ran social networking site,” just launched a Google+ badge for users with both accounts – its first integration. “No, it’s not a big deal in terms of the feature itself (oooh, a badge), but it’s an indication of Orkut’s current status in Google’s eyes,” writes TechCrunch.

With 66 million users in Brazil and India, Orkut is alive and (sort of) well, but trailing Facebook substantially and may have missed the moment to level the playing field. In its recent IPO, Facebook said its active user base in Brazil had nearly tripled in 2011, placing it ahead of Google’s Orkut service as the leading social network in the country.

"I can't think of an example where Facebook has grown so quickly," commented Andrew Lipsman, VP of industry analysis at comScore, to Reuters. "It really just skyrocketed." So does that leave Orkut, which introduced many Brazilians to social networking, ditched at the dance?Continue reading...

Amazon removes resellers' iPads from sale in China, at Apple's request, as more cities block sales.

Apple tightens rules to protect iPhone users contacts from apps.

Peter Arnell and Omnicom settle their suit.

AT&T, Verizon and Sprint see SEC reject their view on net neutrality.

British Airways staff receive iPads for lowdown on VIP passengers.

CBS head Les Moonves anticipates $4 million per Super Bowl spot.

CNN severs remaining ties with Larry King.

Facebook to release Timeline for brands this month.

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New York's Finest is extending crime-fighting to social media, with the New York Police Dept. creating a unit to track potential law-breakers who reveal their plans or brag about crimes on Twitter, MySpace and Facebook.

According to a report in the New York Daily News, NYPD Assistant Commissioner Kevin O'Connor, 23-year veteran and resident gang guru, has been tapped to head up the new juvenile justice unit charged with mining social media for signs of troublesome house parties, gang showdowns, and stings to catch predator perverts. 

The growing power of social media, in particular Twitter and BlackBerry messaging, has been evident in the London riots this week, and utilized by both sides – cops and rioters, sharing news about police positioning and targets to burn and loot, and outraged citizens posting photos of looters on Tumblr, Facebook and Flickr of the rioters.Continue reading...

Tiger Woods loses $10 million Tag Heuer endorsement deal.

Groupon addresses accounting complaints as rivals fall by wayside.

Verizon hit by strike action affecting 45,000 workers.

Airbnb continues beefing up security.

Alexander McQueen show at New York's Metropolitan Museum breaks records in final weekend.

American Apparel expands ASOS partnership.

Bank of Scotland launches integrated campaign.Continue reading...

AT&T challenges ESPN on 3DTV claims.

Audi signs on as Emmys sponsor.

Budweiser rebrands its can.

Burger King, Wendy's, Subway, Taco Bell, Carl's Jr. lead US fast food brands expanding in Russia.

Coca-Cola tests "FaceLook" facial recognition Facebook app in Israel.

Dunkin' Brands quarterly profits slip.

Facebook marketing director (and sister-of-Mark) Randi Zuckerberg quits to launch a start-up.

Google accuses Apple, Oracle and Microsoft of "patent bullying."Continue reading...

American Airlines' fee battle with travel sites such as Expedia snares Sabre.

BMW mulls adding artificial sounds to make EVs safer.

Borders asks publishers for longer-term IOUs.

Cathay Pacific expands long-haul flights.

CES now a must-attend for media companies.

Cisco joins race to mix TV and web video.

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Dell says 3Par accepted its raised bid, trumping HP for control of the computer-storage company. (Updated).

US egg farmers launch a public reassurance campaign in the wake of nationwide salmonella outbreak.

Facebook is the leading social networking site in India for the first time, overtaking Orkut.

Academy Awards telecasts could move to Mondays to make room for NFL games on Sunday nights.

Alibaba Group, China's biggest e-commerce operator, expands travel business to include international airline-ticket sales and plans to undercut rivals' prices.

BHP, undeterred by rivals, vows restraint in its bid for Potash.

British Heart Foundation calls for more labelling on food after UK salt survey cites KFC, McDonald's, Pret a Manger and others.Continue reading...