Apple is reportedly hassling developers to submit their applications for a forthcoming Mac App Store. Last month, speaking at Apple's Back to Mac event, Steve Jobs said to expect an Mac App store with 90 days. "In contrast to the iOS App store which is, to all intents, a walled garden, it isn't clear what benefits developers will gain by submitting their applications and having them go through an Apple approval process," notes The Next Web. (Though, it adds, there is "the free publicity of being 'in the store.'") Furthermore, the Mac isn't locked down in the …

Commenting on the state of social networking -- both online and off -- Jimmy Kimmel declared Wednesday "National UnFriend Day." The late-night talk show host's message? Social networking has led many to lose track of their real friends and connections, and, oh, the whole Facebook-led phenomenon has some pretty vexing side effects. "Kimmel's got a damn good point," writes Gizmodo's Sam Biddle. "Zuckerberg's metaphor for companionship, lust, and platonic palling is pretty meaningless for most people." Among Biddle's 607 "friends," he adds: "I can see that those I've chosen to label as my friends might as well …

With Safeway and PepsiCo in tow, Foursquare is launching a pilot program, which, according to Fast Company, "could serve as the future of the company's business model." More remarkable is that the program isn't based on users' geo-locations -- until now Foursquare's bread 'n butter -- or at least not entirely. It's "based not only on locations but your reasons for being there," Fast Company explains. Brands' existing loyalty programs also factor heavily into Foursquare's new equation. At launch, for instance, the new rewards platform is built on top of Safeway's existing loyalty program, and lets users …

It won't likely be a steal, but Google is reportedly in acquisition talks with local deal leader Groupon. Citing multiple unnamed sources, Boomtown writes: "The price being considered is certainly no discount -- well above the $2 billion to $3 billion that Yahoo offered Groupon in acquisition talks that took place earlier this year." Noting that Google "has struggled to deliver social tools to users," Boomtown adds: "Owning the hot space around local purchasing and consumer information, combined with the social element, would be a tasty treat for Google." Citing speculation …

Google -- which was reportedly faster than most rivals to slow hiring during the recession -- expanded its workforce by 18% over the past year, to 23,331 employees. And it's not stopping there. According to a Reuters tally, the search giant has job openings listed for exactly 2,076 positions on its Web site. That's nearly six times more than the number of listings tallied by Reuters in March 2009. What's more, "The hiring spree is taking place alongside a string of more than 20 acquisitions this year that have already helped swell Google's ranks." Said Google spokesman …

"Semantic" blogging advocate Zemanta said it raised $3 million this week. Calling itself "Your Blogging Assistant," the London-based startup provides tools for bloggers like suggesting relevant content. "Zemanta competes primarily with other blog enhancers like Snap and Apture, all of whom are looking to capture a small portion of the over 60 million blogs currently in operation worldwide," according to VentureBeat. Investors included Eden Ventures and Union Square Ventures. Zemanta has now raised $6 million. Founded in 2007, the company said it's now on track to achieve profitability without additional capital. Helping the cause are existing partnerships …

Dark days are ahead for the Web companies and online consumers alike, according to MercuryNews.com, citing sentiments from insiders at the Web 2.0 conference this week. "The fear that ran through the seventh annual Web 2.0 Summit is that the days when the Internet was a playground for startups with unlimited potential are disappearing," writes MercuryNews.com. "Instead, we are moving into an era dominated by a handful of new Internet titans more interested in fighting each other for power and influence than in delighting users with new innovations." Who's to blame for such rampant innovation stifling? All …

Is Facebook getting into the credit business? Well, the top social net is testing a "Pay Later" feature for purchasing virtual goods within social games. "Users who have never purchased Credits before can spend Credits they haven't paid for and repay the balance later," Inside Facebook reports. "Users can only repay a balance with a credit card or PayPal, not offers, gift cards, or mobile payment." The suggestion, therefore, is that this is a ploy on Facebook's part to get users comfortable with buying virtual goods, as well as get them to put their credit card or …

In addition to -- and partially because of -- ongoing partnership woes, Google TV is now facing harsh criticism from some very influential folks. Under the damning headline, "Google TV: No Need to Tune In Just Yet," The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg concludes that Google's Web TV service "has missed the mark." Under the equally painful headline, "Google TV, Usability Not Included," The New York Times' David Pogue writes: "On the great timeline of television history, Google TV takes an enormous step in the wrong direction: toward complexity." As …

TechCrunch's Michael Arrington claims to know exactly what Facebook and MySpace plan to announce this afternoon during an invitation-only press event -- to which he wasn't invited. "The event is less of a partnership announcement and more of a formal surrender ceremony," according to Arrington. "MySpace is sending CEO Mike Jones for the announcement. Facebook managed to rustle up a vice president -- Done Rose." Sources tell Arrington that is MySpace is "a little more than embarrassed" that Facebook isn't making someone more senior available for the event. The actual partnership involves a Facebook Connect integration so …