Amazon Appstore for Android goes live (despite Apple lawsuit over its name) with free Angry Birds Rio download.

AOL reportedly shutters 30 of its web brands to fold into existing Huffington Post verticals.

Firefox 4 passes 1 million downloads in less than three hours, in race to beat Internet Explorer 9's 2 million in two days and eventual 25 million downloads.

Google loses $125 million Google Books settlement.

Howard Stern is suing Sirius XM over compensation.

HSBC is reportedly eyeing a $22 million CEO paycheck this year.Continue reading...

Apple sues Amazon over term 'app store.'

AT&T may sell some assets as it prepares for regulatory battle for T-Mobile — which unveiled new devices for CTIA Wireless.

Google leads list of desired employers; faces French fine for privacy breach.

HBO plans miniseries on Dick Cheney.

Japan's official death toll tops 18,000.

Mattel celebrates Ken's 50th with web series and new focus separate from Barbie.

New York Times paywall content will be available within search engines; and NYT journalists also released by Libya.Continue reading...

Dow closes above 12,000 for first time since Japan quake on momentum from big deals, easing nuclear worries as Japan reports progress (though contamination fears linger) and the nation starts to rebuild its infrastructure.

With shares of AT&T and Deutsche Telekom trading up, Verizon and Sprint attract speculation in wake of AT&T/T-Mobile deal.

Facebook is getting serious about payments.

Microsoft is suing Barnes & Noble over the Android OS in its Nook e-book reader.

NFL and players' legal jousting continued today.

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty eyes the 2012 Republican presidential candidacy.Continue reading...

Sprint's stock price was down this morning, as Wall Street reacted to the company's "odd man out" standing as AT&T and T-Mobile lock arms, brands and networks.

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, known to customers for his frequent appearances in the brand's commercials, had made a run at T-Mobile too, though (apparently) wasn't willing to pay mostly cash, as AT&T did.

But he's not moping. Instead, Sprint announced that it's partnering with Google. Going forward, it will integrate Google Voice on all Sprint phones, including its just unveiled Nexus S 4G model.Continue reading...

In addition to a conference call with analysts and investors this morning, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson and Deutsche Telekom CEO René Obermann spoke with CNBC to talk about their "transformative" agreement to exchange T-Mobile's US business and make AT&T the #1 wireless carrier in America.

AT&T explained why it's shelling out $39 billion for T-Mobile to create America's biggest wireless carrier in a conference call this morning (WSJ.com has more) while Sprint is "left scrambling" and JPMorgan trumps Goldman Sachs with deal.

Japan food brands face consumer fears of contamination as Tepco nuclear plant situation continues. Sony and Nissan are also resuming operations, while YouTube promotes a video people-finder to aid search and rescue efforts. Swiss Re estimates Japan claims at $1.2 billion.

Berkshire Hathaway seeks more big acquisitions — but not technology. 

Boeing launches newest 747 on its maiden flight.

Diageo is reportedly weighing a $2 billion bid for Jose Cuervo.Continue reading...

Following news that it was in talks with Sprint, Deutsche Telekom today agreed to sell its interest in T-Mobile USA to AT&T for $39 billion and an 8% stake in AT&T.

The deal, which would face stiff regulatory scrutiny, would make AT&T the top wireless carrier in the US and "shift the competitive landscape" for mobile operators in America.

“This transaction represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation’s future,” commented AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson in a press release that underlined that this deal is less about T-Mobile's brand — it will remain an independent company — and more about its network helping pave the way for 4G.Continue reading...

Here's the first official look at the new T-Mobile Sidekick 4G by Samsung. According to T-Mobile's website, the Android-powered smartphone "pays tribute to its heritage with its stylish good looks and a killer keyboard while redefining messaging and upgrading to 4G speeds."