How much is that doggy bed in the window? Shopkick knows.

The mobile application, which melds in-store and mobile retail, rewards consumers for just walking in, with further deals for scanning partner brand products at more than 250,000 stores across the U.S. 

Launching a year ago this month (it officially turns one on August 17th), its users have surpassed 6.5 million product scans as 12 new major brand partners sign on: CoverGirl, Disney, General Mills, Levi’s, Libman, Mead Johnson, Meguiar’s, Mr. Clean, Olay, Revlon, Tilex and Trident.Continue reading...

U.S. House is expected to pass debt ceiling bill tonight, with the Senate set to vote Tuesday.

Amazon launches AmazonLocal daily deals in Groupon's hometown of Chicago; launches MyHabit app to compete with Gilt Groupe; beefs up streaming offering to compete with Hulu by adding Universal titles; and looks to expand Kindle library.

Apple iPhone 5 now rumored for October; Apple TV lets users buy TV shows with streaming update; and Apple blocks Samsung tablet release in Australia.

Twitter confirms "significant" ($800M?) funding round led by Russia's DST Global; adds Dutch and Indonesian local sites; and opens NYC office.

Adobe bows to Apple and builds Flash alternative.

Airbnb looks to defuse user security concerns by offering $50,000 guarantee to homeowners.

Allstate to shut banking unit, posts $620M in losses on tornado claims.Continue reading...

Airbnb crime victim claims company tried to silence her.

Apple iPhone ousts Nokia as world's best-selling smartphone, has more money than the US government.

AT&T plans to throttle data-hogs.

Bloomberg reportedly plans Arabic-language TV channel.

BMW i sub-brand starts to take shape with new concept cars.

Bulgari sales rise 23%.

Delta partners with LivingSocial to offer local deals.Continue reading...

All Nippon Airways defers deliveries of some 787s from Boeing and projects profit drop in wake of Japan disaster.

Bank of the West breaks brand ad.

BSkyB board votes to retain James Murdoch as chairman as the company plans a share buyback and a higher dividend and new phone-hacking allegations emerge and UK's top media regulator resigns.

Current TV names new CEO from “old” ranks.

Epocrates “free” ad-supported app lures doctors.

Fiat consolidates management of Chrysler with new global org chart.Continue reading...

Alfa Romeo delays full return to US.

Amazon introduces digital textbook rentals.

American Airlines splits order between Airbus and Boeing.

Apple directors ponder succession.

BMW grows cautious on developed markets.

Borders succumbs to digital era as Barnes & Noble focuses on e-books.

Campbell expands lower-sodium soup options.Continue reading...

Pepsi has partnered with Foursquare to globalize the badge concept as part of its "Summer Time is Pepsi Time" campaign — you know, the one that has fun with "Coke's" Santa. Now, Foursquare check-ins are encouraging fans to unlock Pepsi's summer fun.

This isn’t Pepsi’s first partnership with Foursquare, as they first teamed for charity in December 2009, with a Christmas pledge drive to donate 4 cents to CampInteractive for New York-based check-ins.

This new campaign, which officially launched July 4th weekend, takes the action to designated locations including beaches, pools, parks, ballparks and stadia. Check-in at any three venues earns users badges and qualification for sweepstakes prizes.Continue reading...

Apple loses chief patent lawyer.

Arnold Schwarzenegger signs up for first post-scandal movie role.

BBC tests Facebook credits for Doctor Who rentals.

Cisco may eliminate up to 10,000 jobs, analyst says, while the company prepares to unveil upgraded switching.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group presses trademark case against part of its legacy.

Dunkin’ Donuts parent seeks to raise $461 million in IPO.

ESPN picks up Friday Night Lights.Continue reading...

Walgreens’ New York-centric Duane Reade division is throwing a red carpet opening tonight for its flagship store on Wall Street. That's right — a VIP bash to celebrate opening a new drugstore in a city that has one (it seems) on every other corner.

Duane Reade, which has been remodeling its stores, has been putting on a show to promote its new locations, including Broadway-style dancers and tuxedoed street teams. But this opening will top them all.

The 22,000-sq.-ft. new location will be open 24/7, in The Trump Building at 40 Wall Street, an iconic address that once upon a time was a bank hall known as the "Crown Jewel of Wall Street" and touted as the tallest building in the world.

40 Wall Street, which opens its doors to the public at 7am on Wednesday, is the chain’s most ambitious, glittering and elaborate store to date, geared to its moneyed, rushed, picky and well-heeled neighborhood clientele.

The elite amenities on offer certainly 'Trump' DR's other Manhattan locations to date.Continue reading...