The Hulu mission, “to help people find and enjoy the world's premium video content when, where and how they want it,” and “to create a service that users, advertisers and content owners unabashedly love,” has a yen to expand. Undeterred amidst domestic bidding acquisition battles in the U.S., Hulu has just launched a subscription service in Japan (at hulu.jp), the company’s first international foray. 

Japanese subscribers will have access to thousands of U.S. television episodes like 24, Bones, Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives, Fringe, Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl, Heroes, LOST, NCIS, Private Practice, Prison Break and Ugly Betty; and hundreds of feature films like Pirates of the Caribbean, Armageddon, Men in Black and more.Continue reading...

Hulu reportedly draws bids from Amazon, Yahoo and Google.

Google+ usage plateaus, while Google dominates US web brands, adds offline access to Gmail and apps in boost for Chromebook.

Dish Network revels in blocked AT&T merger with "challenger brand" T-Mobile, while AT&T forges on with $700 HTC Jetstream Android tablet announcement.

GM reboots "Chevy Runs Deep" campaign.

Amazon's Android tablet could erode Apple's iPad dominance, while @author program elevates writers' brands.

Apple may have another lost iPhone fiasco on its hands.

Britney Spears' medical records protected by judicial decision in branding lawsuit.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...

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...

The White House and Republicans in Congress have reached a deal to raise the debt ceiling, agreeing to about $1 trillion in cuts over the next 10 years to lower the deficit and prevent the first government default in U.S. history.

HSBC plans global layoffs as banks sells 195 U.S. branches to First Niagara for $1 billion.

PBS plans to launch a digital TV channel in the U.K. as network's president talks it up to TV critics.

Airbnb sees another crime victim come forward as suspect is arrested in first incident.

Alibaba resolves dispute with Yahoo.

Apple's Taiwan vendor FoxConn to replace workers with robots, while iPhone rises, iPad tops tablet brand survey for customer satisfaction, and iPod sinks.Continue reading...

AOL shuffles execs.

BSkyB may lose UK "stranglehold" on Hollywood releases.

Dunkin' Donuts parent IPO could exceed $400M.

Express sets Guinness World record with Times Square fashion show.

Facebook iPad app appears in the wild, disappears.

Google gives Gmail a new logo and homepage.

Hyatt apologizes for turning up heat on protesters.

LinkedIn launches "Apply With LinkedIn" button.Continue reading...

Apple hints at what it might do with some of its cash: buy Hulu.

Applebee’s implements new Facebook strategy.

Cheesecake Factory boosts menu prices to combat higher costs.

GE quarterly profits rise as finance arm continues to recover from recession.

Google grabs 20 million users with Google+.

NFL players reportedly have reservations about the new collective-bargaining agreement that kept them from approving it on Thursday after the league’s owners had OK’ed the tentative deal.

Reebok kicks off new marketing campaign.Continue reading...

Apple's blockbuster earnings report includes surprises, such as popularity of iPads over Mac sales to education market.

Baidu launches browser in China.

Bank of America posts record quarterly loss.

Coca-Cola gains market share despite soft market.

Dupont sued over herbicide as brand supports sustainable aquaculture.

Facebook and NBC partner for GOP presidential debate, as Facebook ads increase 1,900% in year, 104% in one quarter.

Goldman Sachs prepares to trim workforce in wake of disappointing quarter.Continue reading...