Google is testing a smart contact lens that's built to measure glucose levels in tears using a tiny wireless chip and miniaturized glucose sensor that are embedded between two layers of soft contact lens material, according to a blog outlining the project. The prototypes being tested will generate a reading once per second and will potentially serve as an early warning for the wearer.

Amazon, which has been working to speed package delivery, gained a patent last month for what it calls "anticipatory shipping." The company may box and ship products that it expects customers in a specific area will want, based on previous orders and other factors it gleans from its customers' shopping patterns, even before they place an online order.

BMW wants its new i3 electric car to appeal to techies. "When you turn this vehicle on, especially at night, it looks like a screen coming to life, because we know the same people who are into tech would be buying this car," said Jose Guerrero, product planning and strategy manager for BMW of North America, as he demonstrated the i3 to a reporter at the recent International CES tech convention in Las Vegas.

Bigger isn't necessarily better, especially when it comes to retail targeting busy college students. Target is planning to open its smallest store yet, a 20,000-square-foot TargetExpress. The store, located near the University of Minnesota campus, will carry HBC and grocery - including a larger selection of grab-and-go foods - and will also include a pharmacy, Target said. It will open in July.

Sports performance brand Under Armour has athlete spokespersons from football. Now the company has extended into the world of ballet. Under Armour has signed Misty Copeland, soloist with the American Ballet Theatre, to a multi-year deal. Copeland's first activation will be as part of what Under Armour is calling it's biggest marketing campaign to date to support its women's brand.

Berger Paints is launching a new advertising campaign for its exterior paint brand WeatherCoat All Guard. The campaign, launching this week, positions the paint for its ability to repel water and thereby, prevent the building from dampness, paint film swelling/ flaking and fungus/algae attacks. The effort touts the product for its use of Kerala nuance.

Gen-Y buyers do, after all, care about cars it seems. A new report by Deloitte LLP argues that, while younger consumers may not have the passion for cars younger people have, the overwhelming majority still want to own a vehicle. Only one in 10 told surveyors that they don't ever plan to lease or buy one.

Ryanair has appointed former Moneysupermarket marketing chief Kenny Jacobs as its first chief marketing officer as it goes on a charm offensive to win over disgruntled customers that have switched to rivals and increase annual passenger numbers from 80 million to 110 million over the next five years. Ryanair's TV campaign details the service enhancements it has made to woo disgruntled customers that have switched to rivals. Jacobs will join Ryanair on 31 January and will be responsible for group sales, marketing and communications.

Google is taking the wearable technology market to another level with the creation of a contact lens for diabetics, which will monitor glucose levels in tears. “The contact lenses are the latest project from Google’s secretive X lab that also came up with the driverless car, the Internet-connected eyewear Glass, and Project Loon, which is using balloons to bring the Internet to far-flung places,” The Los Angeles Times explains. Still, “the contact lenses could be years from reaching the public.” 

DraftFCB is preparing to drop Draft from its name according to executives close to the matter. It's unclear whether the shop will then be formally called FCB, Foote Cone & Belding, or both. However, it's believed both monikers may end up on the new logo. Executive Chairman Howard Draft will remain with the agency in his current role. DraftFCB in July filed a trademark for "FCB," and in November filed a trademark for "Foote Cone & Belding."