• United Begins Using Mobile for Passports
    United Airlines has added to its mobile app the ability to check in for international flights by passport scanning. The app uses the mobile device's camera to capture a traveler's passport, similar to a mobile banking deposit. Jumio Inc., a credentials management company, then verifies the passport. After verification, customers can get a boarding pass.
  • An Angry Bird By Any Other Name, Or Color
    Seattle artist Juli Adams is suing pet products company Hartz, alleging that the company denied her profits when it ditched her trademarked "Angry Birds" toy line in favor of licensed products based on Rovio's Angry Birds. Adams' catnip-filled toys predates Rovio's products, originally launching in partnership with Hartz in November 2006. Hartz received limited licensing rights. After the Angry Birds game debuted in 2009, Hartz began distributing Rovio-licensed toys. But its partnership with Adams was still in effect. Rovio is not targeted in the suit.
  • Doritos Inventor's Grandson More Likely To Crunch Kale
    Thirty-something food entrepreneur Tim West is the grandson of Arch West, the Frito-Lay executive who invented Doritos chips. The San Francisco resident is working with venture capitalist Derek Proudian on a restaurant concept. In June, he launched a pop-up restaurant called Cool Beans, in the city's hip Lower Haight neighborhood. The grand idea: cater both to people on food stamps and to affluent techies.
  • Charmin Rolls Out Chamomile-Scented Toilet Tissue
    Procter & Gamble's Charmin brand is launching a new chamomile-scented toilet paper. Each roll of the Charmin scented SKU has the scent added to the tube. The brand is partnering with Ana Patricia Gonzales, host of Despierta Amrica! on Univision, to introduce the new product. The new line is being sold nationwide.
  • GM To Bring On The Diesels In U.S.
    General Motors will launch more cars and light trucks with diesel engines in the United States in the coming years, said Steve Kiefer, GM and VP of global powertrain. Speaking at the 2014 Management Briefing Seminars, he said diesels in cars and light trucks could grow to 10% of the market in the United States by 2020.
  • Microsoft Plans NFL Tech, Xbox, Fantasy Marketing Blitz
    Entering its second season as an official NFL partner, Microsoft is unveiling a multi-platform strategy to expand its alliance with the league. That includes Surface 2 tablets on sidelines during games for players and coaches to review action, and Xbox activations to boost in-game and fantasy experiences.
  • Dunkin' Unveils Coffee Flavored Donuts
    Dunkin' Donuts is releasing their first-ever creme donuts that's made with their own coffee recipe. The two new flavors include Glazed Coffee Kreme Donut and the Coffee, Creme & Sugar Donut. The two donuts will only be available for a limited time at participating Dunkin' Donuts locations.
  • Lego Listens To Real Girl, Gives Toy Girls Real Jobs
    This year a young girl wrote a letter to Lego in January: "I want you to make more Lego girl people and let them go on adventures and have fun ok!?!" The letter that went viral on the Internet. Lego responded Friday, releasing its Research Institute set (about $20) with three women scientists. It is already sold out on the website.
  • Alcohol Ads Steer Brand Choice
    In a recent study by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Boston University School of Public Health, researchers found that underage drinkers are approximately 3 times more likely to consume brands advertised on TV shows they watch when compared to other alcohol brands. The research found magazine ads also influence consumption habits.
  • Google Pulls 'Gaza' Shooter Game
    Google on Monday took the rare step of removing Bomb Gaza, a game that made light of the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. A spokesman said it pulls apps which "violate [the company's] policies," but the forced exit was probably a response to user outrage. Users can flag apps they find offensive.
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