It’s only fitting that the world’s dominant social network will reportedly go public in the second quarter of 2012 in what could be the largest IPO by any technology or Internet company in history. Facebook hopes to raise $10 billion through a limited IPO that would value the company at an astounding $100 billion.

Of the thirteen IPOs completed at a value higher than $10 billion, three are U.S. companies according to Dealogic: Visa at $19.7 billion in 2008; General Motors at $18.1 billion in 2010; and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. at $10.6 billion in 2000. The largest U.S. Internet IPO to date was the $1.9 billion offering of Google shares in 2004, which valued Google at $23 billion.

Facebook will cross the 500-shareholder limit within the next month, triggering SEC requirement to publically disclose financial information by April. While 2011 saw promising debuts of online brands like Groupon and Pandora, maintaining those leads has underwhelmed expectations.Continue reading...

Occupy Wall Street should be happy with news that Wall Street bonuses will be way down this year and some success for Bank Transfer Day, while protesters in New York will be serenaded by Crosby & Nash in free concert today.

American and Alaska airlines complete world's first commercial biofuel flights.

American Express lures digital commerce startups with $100M funds.

Australia passes carbon tax.

Best Buy refocuses global expansion plans in new strategy.

Carlos Slim draws protests in Mexico by offering free TV on the web.Continue reading...

Michael Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Republican presidential wannabe Herman Cain slapped with more charges of sexual harassment.

U.S. district judge sides with tobacco companies and finds FDA's proposed graphic cigarette packages unconstitutional.

Bank of America must pay $410 million to settle debit card overdraft class action suit.

Coca-Cola named Ad Age's marketer of the year.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg tells Charlie Rose that Steve Jobs was an advisor (but says Apple didn't attempt to buy him out).

Google's head lobbyist steps down.

National Geographic Channels names new U.S. president and CMO.

New York Times top digital exec announces retirement.

& Zynga reportedly plans post-Thanksgiving IPO, on Nov. 24.

Netflix and Starz contract renewal talks break off, ending one of Netflix's "most important" (though less so, lately) content deals.

Hostess Brands, maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, retains restructuring advisers.

Oracle $1.3 billion verdict against SAP overturned by judge.

Accera Inc.'s Axona milkshake raises hopes for Alzheimer's patients.

Air Australia reveals new livery.

Airbnb expands into sublets.

Amazon bargains to avoid online sales tax in California.

American Airlines disputes survey saying it had the longest call-waiting times during Hurricane Irene, hires pet detective to track missing-at-JFK passenger Jack the Cat.Continue reading...

Accenture drives social business adoption through gamification.

Amazon battles U.S. states over taxes.

Bally expands to India.

Banco Popular expands rebranding to Popular Inc.

Canada sees online ad revenue exceed print for the first time.

Cargill recalls 36 million pounds of turkey products.

CNN finds host Piers Morgan coming under parliamentary pressure and accusations by Heather Mills over hacking.

Coca-Cola joins brands testing cloud-based in-text social advertising.

comScore acquires analytics firm AdXpose.

Dunkin' Donuts rolls out Keurig single-serve cups, with Starbucks to follow.Continue reading...

Google has just launched a new amalgamated search engine, What Do You Love, as its Google+ platform is setting a land-speed record for fastest social launch.

WDYL.com lets users explore their passions (food, movies, film, monkeys) and pulls in results from Google’s various search products: photos, video, books, maps, blogs, groups, news, patents.Continue reading...

The above video was released this week as “a quick update on Google+ and our plans to support brands, businesses, and beyond,” says Christian Oestlien, a product manager on the closely-watched Google+ launch. 

"The business experience we are creating should far exceed the consumer profile in terms of its usefulness to businesses. We just ask for your patience while we build it," Oestlien added, referring to companies who thought they had a head start, but now find only a select test group is in, including some of Google's biggest advertisers (and — ahem! — rivals).

The decision to shut down "business" profiles came 24 hours after Search Engine Watch reported on a fake profile posturing as the Google+ team, and publishing rumors such as Google+ going public before July 31st, and Google's planned rebranding of Picasa and Blogger.Continue reading...

Airbus unveils transparent plane concept.

American Airlines to offer Samsung tablet for inflight movies.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is set to become a comic book superhero.

Citi reportedly knew about hacking "weeks" before revealed.

Comcast and Skype partner on HD video calling service.

Facebook IPO could be worth $100 billion, as US privacy groups balk at site's facial recognition — and Mark Zuckerberg may be (says Bill Gates) engaged.

HP executive churn continues.

Lanvin introduces children's collection.Continue reading...