Internet & Media

Facebook tests Pinterest-like design for news-feed app stories

Facebook is testing a new layout for Open Graph app stories in the news feed that looks very, very familiar. In fact, some would say it directly rips off the quickly growing Pinterest, which, by the way, also sports the new look since the social network offers its own Timeline integration.

The new design gives app stories more space on your news feed, and further emphasizes commenting and Liking, as well as custom interaction. For example, if your Facebook friend or someone you subscribe to on Facebook uses an app to favorite more than just one item, the new design … Read more

Ads on iPhone make the most money for advertisers, says report

Apple's iOS devices are bigger and more user-friendly, making mobile advertising on iOS more successful than on other operating systems, according to a report released today by Opera Software.

This seems like a no-brainer when it comes to advertising -- bigger screens equal more real estate for ads, which equals more engaging ads with more info, and more clicks. Trying to hit that sweet spot between portability and screen size may be a challenge for some device makers, but it's working for Apple, judging from the report's numbers, anyway.

Advertising on iOS sees more traffic and a … Read more

Twitter offers location targeted advertisements

Twitter introduced targeted promoted tweets today, which means advertisers can send tailored messages based on where users live and what devices they're on.

"What if you want to make an offer just to New York Twitter users? Until today, it's been impractical to send these kinds of highly tailored Tweets, since there was no way to reach people in New York without also reaching followers in Norway, Nebraska and Nigeria who can't take advantage of your offer," Kevin Weil, a Twitter product manager, wrote in a blog post.

This advertising tool is meant to appeal … Read more

Yahoo's Marissa Mayer to earn $1M salary, plus giant bonus potential

In all the speculation about why Marissa Mayer left Google to take the job at Yahoo, no one has suggested she's doing it for the money. After all, the former Googler -- who was employee No. 20 -- is worth an estimated $300 million.

Even so, Yahoo is paying up, with a package that could add up to tens of millions of dollars if she turns around the struggling Internet pioneer and the stock heads north, according to Yahoo's SEC filling.

Yahoo revealed that it will pay Mayer an annual salary of $1 million. She will … Read more

Larry Page absent from Google earnings call

As anticipated, Google CEO Larry Page did not speak at Google's Q2 2012 earnings call today. Speaking instead were Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette, Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora, and SVP of Advertising Susan Wojcicki. Google's earnings release did include statements attributed to Page.

Google said on June 21 that Page had missed his company's annual shareholders' meeting owing to the loss of his voice but provided no other details. On June 27 at the Google IO conference, Google co-founder Sergey Brin would not answer questions about Page's absence, other than noting that Page was a … Read more

Google earns $2.79 billion in Q2, stock bumps up after hours

Following the closure of the Motorola Mobility deal, Google did pretty well for the second quarter of 2012.

The Internet giant reported second quarter earnings of $2.79 billion, or $8.42 a share, on revenue of $9.61 billion excluding traffic acquisition costs. Non-GAAP earnings came in at $10.12 a share (statement).

Including traffic acquisition costs Google revenue for the quarter was $12.21 billion. TAC totaled $2.60 billion.

Wall Street was looking for second quarter earnings of $10.04 a share on revenue of $8.41 billion, excluding traffic acquisition costs.

Google shares … Read more

Facebook stock drop: Zuckerberg no longer in world's richest 40

So far this month, Facebook's stock has fallen some 7 percent. The biggest loser is, of course, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The damage has cost the 28-year-old his spot on the Bloomberg Billionaire's Index of the 40 richest people in the world.

This drop won't affect Zuckerberg's day-to-day living. In fact, he just refinanced the mortgage on his $6 million home in Palo Alto, Calif., with a 30-year adjustable-rate loan starting at 1.05 percent.

The rates available to individuals with a high net worth (Zuckerberg may have lost some value, but he's … Read more

XP and Vista users, no Office 2013 for you

Still running XP or Vista and eyeing Office 2013? Sorry, you're out of luck.

Unveiled Monday, the upcoming new Office suite won't support Windows XP or Vista, meaning users who need or want Office 2013 will have to upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Microsoft confirmed the tighter requirements on its Office 2013 Preview Technet page. Only Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012 will be able to run the new suite.

Users will also need a PC with at least a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM for the 32-bit version (2GB … Read more

HTC prepping Android 4.1 update for One XL and One S

Users of HTC's One XL and One S phones are on the Android 4.1 update list, at least in Australia.

An update pa