The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that's now underway in Las Vegas is not only the world's biggest trade show, but a snapshot of how the fast-moving world of technology innovation is impacting sectors. Witness automotive, such as Ford's just-announced mobile partnerships to enhance the brand's in-car connectivity platform as part of a bigger CES push by car manufacturers this year.

CES is also a soapbox for competitors to one-up one another as they spit out product announcements and flaunt new alliances. This year, the rivalry is particularly fierce in the web TV/digital streaming arena.

"As new Internet TV players look to invade the living room, some cable and satellite operators are stepping up their embrace of Web technology to jazz up aging interfaces and head off subscriber defections, the Wall Street Journal reports from the show.

CES attendees include DirecTV and Dish Network on the satellite side, Verizon (FiOS) and AT&T (U-verse) touting Telco TV, and U.S. multi-system operators including Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications are at CES to recast themselves as web TV purveyors and shake off the dreaded "cable operator" moniker. No wonder the U.S. National Cable & Telecommunications Association is reportedly considering dropping "cable" and rebranding to the U.S. Internet and Television Association (but, oddly, keeping the NCTA acronym).

AT&T's U-verse platform is introducing "Screen Pack," a $5 per month addition to existing subscriptions which enables customers to stream some 1,500 on-demand movies. AT&T plans to add more content in the future in an effort to thwart the flood of video streaming competitors in the space.Continue reading...

As a top sponsor of Team USA, AT&T’s "My Journey" campaign highlights the path to the London 2012 Olympics for eight athletes, along with the mobile apps and content that helped get them through rigorous training. Condensed versions of the profiles are now running as commercials during NBC's primetime coverage of the Summer Games across America.

Fans can download each athlete's favorite app, such as gold medal-winning swimmer Ryan Lochte's favorite SuperMonkey Ball 2, song (Lochte picked "American Star" by Lil Wayne) and an item for a sweepstakes (Lochte signed a skateboard), now through August 14th.Continue reading...

Aflac casting call for duck role inspires American Idol-type passions.

Apple asks Toyota to pull Scion-branded ad campaign for jailbroken iPhones. 

Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett are dogged by conflict-of-interest charges.

Blockbuster sells to Dish Network at auction for $320M.

BMW has a huge “green” advantage over rival Daimler, says analyst.

BP prepares to face investors’ wrath as Transocean executives to donate safety bonuses to families of Gulf blast victims.Continue reading...

AT&T's U-verse TV offering, a telco TV alternative to cable and satellite subscriptions in the US, just added an interactive Christmas channel aimed at kids and families. Besides offering a virtual Santa tracker on Christmas eve, the system's ho-ho-homepage is stuffed with interactive goodies galore: games, carols, Radio Rudolph, holiday movies and other seasonal fare.

Alibaba develops China search engine with Microsoft as challenger to Baidu.

Apple is in talks to bring the iPhone to India, and will sell the iPad at Wal-Mart.

AT&T's U-verse TV is coming to Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

Bank of America and other mortgage lenders face lawsuits from up to 40 state attorneys general.

Beijing Auto hopes to reinvigorate brand with $2.7 billion marketing push, as China car sales cool down.

Blockbuster begins search for a new CEO.

Bloomberg LP plans a data service catering to U.S. government.

Bloomingdale's, Macy's, J.C. Penney and other retailers go beyond discounts (incl. BOGO) to compete.Continue reading...

• "Old Spice Man" social marketing campaign results (such as 1.4 billion campaign impressions) are discussed in a video case study, above, by W+K.

• Gowalla's check-in API is released to third-party applications as Twitter prepares to share Promoted Tweets and Promoted Trends with third-party apps.

• Your Google Stories squares off vs. latest batch of users' Facebook stories.

• AT&T's U-verse app brings TV to subscribers' smartphones.

• Facebook's geolocation Foursquare-like feature is coming soon.

• Foot Locker Europe expands "cheeky" game on Facebook.

• Twitpic founder launches Heello, a social startup aimed at businesses and potential rival to HipChat, another B2B social enterprise play.

• Twitter-inspired CBS series starring William Shatner, #*! My Dad Says, is being boycotted by parents' watchdog.

• Watch Twitter's Rushmore-inspired recruitment video 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...