Apple is holding a press conference tomorrow to discuss iPhone 4 issues, prompting recall talk and putting it on the defensive ahead of earnings. Consumer Reports suggests iPhone 4 users listen to Ms. Jones and pull up to the bumper. Microsoft, as you might expect, is loving this.

Apple also quietly acquired Poly9, a mapping startup. Next stop: Apple Earth?

Verizon, meanwhile, gains on AT&T — even without the iPhone — as Droid X goes on sale today.

In other news, AIG's chairman stepped down after clashing with the CEO.Continue reading...

Hugh Hefner's surprise bid to take Playboy private yesterday puzzles Wall Street. Minyanville Media CEO Todd Harrison gave an interesting take to Bloomberg TV.

AIG board to decide AIA's future.

Aon buys Hewit for $4.9 billion.

Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures invest $23.5 million in engine startup EcoMotors.Continue reading...

Microsoft is scrapping its social youth-aiming Kin phone after less than two months on the market.

AIG's chairman and CEO are at odds.

Amazon acquired deal-of-the-day site, Woot, which celebrates with $150 Kindle special. Kindle DX also slashes price.

Apple launches iAds today with Nissan, Citi, Unilever, AT&T, Best Buy, and Chanel.Continue reading...

BP's shares tumble as it begins latest attempt to stop Gulf leak and new charges emerge.

AIG and Prudential failed to reach a deal for AIA insurance business in Asia.

J&J's McNeil unit pulled TV ads month before stopping Tylenol production due to earlier recall.

Kimberly-Clark humanizes Scott paper products brand with spokesman called Scott.

Unilever's plans for Sara Lee face EU inquiry.Continue reading...

Does the Goldman Sachs brand matter? Of course it does. However, this is the question that appears to be on the mind of many who do not understand just how a brand works.

Goldman Sachs continues to rake in profits but this wild success is happening despite more scrutiny than ever. Since the economic downturn of 2008, Goldman has been accused of not just being a contributing factor to the crash but also of profiteering from the subsequent bailouts.

In profile after profile, fingering Goldman Sachs as an example of the worst characteristics of American capitalism has become a journalistic parlor game. Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi has made an entire career of it. So why does the Goldman Sachs brand remain so popular and profitable?

It's the money, stupid. Continue reading...

Paypal will soon resume Indian personal bank statements and withdrawals. [TechCrunch]

Tiger Woods is no longer a client of Gatorade. [WSJ]

Is Olympic participation a selling point for advertisers? [Boston Herald]

Burger King starts meet-and-greet promotions for new menu items. [Daily Finance]

3D televisions have arrived in stores without much response. [LA Times]

Financial services for Prudentical P.L.C. set to be bought by A.I.G. [NY Times]Continue reading...

Wal-Mart, Procter & Gamble to collaborate on made-for-television movie. [WSJ]

Motorola to combine hand-set units and set-top boxes into one company. [WSJ]

Apple contemplates $1 television shows for iTunes store. [TechCrunch]

Google will speed up Internet with 100x faster broadband service. [Washington Post]

Dogs can now tweet on Twitter with the help of Mattel's latest toy. [LA Times]

Loyal Barbie collectors get the chance to pick her 125th occupation. [BrandFreak]Continue reading...

Shoppers spend less, Visa earnings are poor. [Daily Finance]

Abercrombie & Fitch debates a rebrand after sales plummet. [WSJ]

St. Pauli girl kept on thanks to extensive beer knowledge. [BrandFreak]

Visa debuts a 3D display in NYC's Grand Central. [Adweek]

New toy Paper Jamz, created by WowWee, are 1-inch thick. [CNN Money]

Airbus becomes Beoing's newest competition. [Business Week]Continue reading...