In the News: Google and Disney Get Social

Google is developing a rival (not clone, says CEO Eric Schmidt) to Facebook. One of the parties it's talking to: Playdom, a social games developer that was just bought by Disney for $763 million.

Amazon incorporates Facebook recommendations, while Kindle sees first million bestselling author: Stieg Larsson.

Apple unveils $69 "magic trackpad."

BMW gets wrist slapped in the U.K. for ad claiming "0% emissions."

Continental-United merger receives EU go-ahead to create the world's largest airline.

AMC's Mad Men season 4 premiere sets a ratings high for the network, if not U.S. cable TV.

BlogHer signs up major brand marketers including PepsiCo, Sara Lee and Wal-Mart for its 6th annual conference next month.

Disney is replacing its ABC TV chief. Steve McPherson's out; ABC Family (and former BBC America) head Paul Lee is tipped for the role.

Domino’s reformulated pizza continues driving sales increases.

Google projects Android will become a $10 billion annual business.

Hawaiian Electric develops battery systems to store power from windmills.

Hyundai's Equus will include a rear-seat refrigerator in its premium version.

NBC Universal's Curious George character (NBCU holds the non-book rights) is the new face of U.S. literacy campaign.

Nestle gets kudos for its approach to developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers.

Nickelodeon is opening a theme park in the U.K., following on its first iPhone app for that market.

P&G signs on as global sponsor for the London 2012 Olympics, while nation sponsor deals are lining up.

Telefonica agrees to buy Vivo stake for $9.8 billion.

Twitter remains irrelevant for most brand marketers, a new study from 360i find.

Yahoo says comScore's June numbers undercounted the portal by more than a billion page views.

3M celebrates 30th anniversary of the Post-it note with new ads and an art installation in NYC's Grand Central station.