E-Commerce

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that Google+ could be the most significant product release in the history of social media. That declaration was based on my belief that this platform represents Google's best -- and perhaps last -- chance to offer Facebook any competition in the social networking arena...

Let's face it, texting is ubiquitous. A constant stream of information comes and goes through our phones. Harnessing the power of this medium to reach customers is the goal of a whole new breed of mobile marketers. "If you want to reach everyone, text messaging is the only way to do that," said Josh...

It is extremely exciting to be in the middle of what is arguably the fastest growing segment of the largest growing market in the world right now -- the mobile application ecosystem. Following are the top 10 trends and the top 10 opportunities that I see evolving over the coming quarters and years ...

Live streaming of CNN's and HLN's 24-hour television networks became available on CNN.com, the CNN App for iPad, and the CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch on Monday -- but only to a limited audience. CNN's rollout of its version of TV Everywhere for consumers reaches AT&T, Comcast, Cox, DISH Net...

This week, I got emails announcing changes to two online services I subscribe to. I just sort of shrugged at one message, though it did represent a significant change in the service's business model. The second email outlined a major change as well, but my reaction to it was much stronger. It ticked...

Spotify, a popular European streaming music provider, launched in the U.S. on Thursday. The music site is starting off its U.S. venture with an invitation-only beta that includes free, unlimited and premium plans. Spotify was first launched in Sweden in 2008 and currently boasts 1.6 million paying u...

Amazon could be the next retailer to jump into the tablet marketplace in time for the holiday season, according to a recent report. The online retail giant could be set to release its tablet by October, in addition to two new Kindle e-reader models. Amazon's entrance to the market has been rumored ...

Now that CenturyLink has completed its merger with Qwest, what is next for the company and for the marketplace? The media, investors, competitors and others are starting to ask me on a regular basis whether this will be successful. I have worked with many companies in the industry and always had a g...

Netflix announced a reshuffling of its prices Tuesday, separating its DVD and streaming plans into two separate subscription packages and angering a large part of its customer base. New customers will need to pick from the company's new offerings immediately; existing members will be transitioned to...

Consumers are clearly intrigued by Google+. Following closely on their heels are companies, eager to tap what looks to be the next big trend in social media. Indeed, companies are waiting with bated breath for more details about what Google+ means for them -- that is, what advertising vehicles will ...

Facebook users may soon be able to stream, download and share music via the social networking site with a partnership with Spotify, a Swedish music service, according to codes found by software blogger Jeff Rose. The software engineer examined a code possibly in development that users could use to d...

Comcast, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T and Time Warner Cable have promised to be more proactive in alerting possible copyright violators using their networks in a voluntary agreement with the music and film industries. The antipiracy model they've adopted has been pushed for some time by the Record...

Amazon has announced three enhancements to its Cloud Drive and Cloud Player services, which launched earlier this year: a storage plan with unlimited space for music; free storage for all Amazon MP3 purchases; and iPad support for Cloud Player for Web. The Cloud Drive allows users to upload files to...

Last month, e-commerce giant Amazon made a foray into the flash sales marketplace. With European flash sales stalwart Vente Privee entering the North American market, and with the tremendous growth of U.S. flash sales players like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La, it's clear that the flash sales sector i...

California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law Wednesday that will require Amazon.com and other Internet retailers to collect sales tax on goods sold to California residents. Mail order laws have long held that state sales tax doesn't have to be paid by companies that do not have a presence in the sta...