Allstate to buy eSurance.

Audi plans to add 10,000 jobs globally.

BP finds some investors relieved by collapse of its Russian deal.

Carrefour aims to boost sales in key European markets.

Dell profits from refocus on higher-margin products.

FOX touts media integration.

Gap CEO looks overseas for growth, but wants more North American sales consistency.Continue reading...

NBC bids adieu to Steve Carell on The Office.

Office boosts Microsoft profits, though Windows sales slip — blame the iPad, with Apple now more profitable than Microsoft.

BlackBerry-maker RIM cuts Q1 earnings and revenue forecast. 

Apple's White iPhone 4 - a PR coup?

Bank of America to hike interest rates for late payments. 

Deutsche Bank announces record first-quarter profits. 

Hulu Plus comes to Xbox Live.Continue reading...

There seemed to be a fair amount of excitement surrounding the PlayBook when it was unveiled last September. It was BlackBerry maker RIM's big entry into the tablet category — believed to be, potentially, a grown-up, professional grade version of Apple's iPad.

Now reality sinks in. The PlayBook, which starts at $500, hit the market last week, and the reaction was, well... ho hum. Even before the release date, trade publications like PC World ran articles with such headlines as "BlackBerry PlayBook Gets Panned by Reviewers."Continue reading...

US attorney shuts down online poker sites, while FTC goes after fake news sites hawking acai berry and other diets.

President Obama calls for secure online ID system, as VP Joe Biden calls piracy "outright theft."

Cablevision brings Hulu, iTunes and web video to TV.

John Galliano fired by his namesake fashion label.

Google frustrated by music label talks.

J&J eyes buying Swiss firm, Synthes, for $20B.Continue reading...

President Obama unveils US budget plan to trim deficit, with $4 trillion in cuts over 12 years, keeping Medicare and Medicaid, and curbs on charity write-offs. The 2012 race in mind, Barack and Michelle Obama also plan to appear on Oprah's May 2nd show.

Apple's iPhone 5 said to be coming this summer, while do-not-track tool added to new Safari browser. Sony, meanwhile, lands top spot for consumer electronics in latest Harris Poll.

Barry Bonds found guilty of osbtruction of justice.

LeBron James bumps Kobe Bryant for the bestselling NBA jersey, as Bryant accused of anti-gay slur.

BP cleanup funds come under scrutiny.Continue reading...

Web video programmers are getting better at promoting their wares, borrowing a well-worn page from the analog playbook that TV programmers have mastered.

Case in point: Lionsgate and Hudsun Media signed a deal to run Trailer Trash (watch the trailer above) on Hulu, partly because the video portal is mastering the art of scheduling, programming and marketing.

"Crossing your fingers and hoping people will find out about a show isn't really a business model," commented Curt Marvis, Lionsgate president of digital media, to the Wall Street Journal.Continue reading...

Japan's nuclear situation is "approaching Chernobyl" says official, as locals stock up and fears rise.

Adobe prepares for a possible future without Flash.

AOL and TechCrunch expose editorial differences in the wake of Engadget editors' departure.

Apple and other tablet-makers are poised to see lift from corporate IT sales.

BlackBerry-maker RIM thought the iPad would be a flop.

BMW set for record sales despite rising costs as former designer heads to Samsung.

Diddy isn't giddy about being named richest hip-hop artist.

eBay cuts fees and expands offering to attract sellers.Continue reading...

Super Bowl XLV combatants, brand marketers including Kraft and Verizon, automakers and other game advertisers and fans gird for the game in north Texas this weekend between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Apple and Campbell Soup say that iAds are twice as effective as TV. 

AT&T reaches out to business users. 

BJ’s Wholesale places itself on auction block

BMW may lease, not sell, its Megacity EV.

Dunkin’ Donuts foresees 50% hike in expansion deals this year.Continue reading...