As the threat of an antitrust suit looms for Google, search expert Danny Sullivan explains why the FTC should leave the search giant alone. “Among the charges is the idea that Google somehow is being unfair to competitors with ‘vertical’ search,” Sullivan writes in CNet. “That has been, and remains largely to me, a laughable argument … Taking action over that would be like punishing CBS for not airing ABC television programs.”  

When executing their social media strategy, Mark Cuban thinks brands and companies should put Facebook on the bottom of their priority list. The problem, according to the Dallas Mavericks owner, is Facebook’s new emphasis on improving user engagement. “Defining engagement by clicks, likes, shares, unlikes and reporting works for Google’s search engine,” Cuban blogs. But, “I don’t believe it works for a social network.” 

Shrinking the so-called social TV market, Viggle just bought GetGlue for $25 million in cash and stock. With the deal, Viggle is hoping to establish itself as a “dominate force in social TV,” TheWrap.com reports. “Together, the two companies will have more than 4 million users.” Less than year old, Viggle offers registered users points for loyalty and engagement, which can be redeemed from brands like Best Buy, Amazon, and iTunes. 

That Apple continues to lose global market share to Android is obviously a bad thing. Why that is, however, is somewhat complicated, Henry Blodget suggests. “The reason market share is important is that mobile is a ‘platform market,’” he writes in Business Insider. “In platform markets, third-party companies build products and services on top of other companies' platforms. As they do, the underlying platforms become more valuable.” 

Web watchers are itching to undercover the mystery that is Medium – the latest Web-publishing tool from Biz Stone and Evan Williams, the co-founders of Blogger and Twitter. “What the hell are these guys doing this time?” asks Chris Crum in WebProNews. Cracking the kimono, Williams this week dished on Medium -- on Medium. So, what’s it all about? In a word: “Simplicity,” according to Crum. 

Inspired by the sex scandal surrounding former CIA Director David Petraeus, the Senate Judiciary Committee called for a vote on the issue of whether to advance legislation that would require authorities to obtain a probable-cause warrant to get access to all e-mail and other content stored in the so-called cloud. It would be “just as a warrant is required to search a car or house,” Wired reports. The committee plans to hold its vote at the end of November. 

When Apple’s latest mapping application failed to launch, it was widely seen as an opportunity for Google to secure its map monopoly. Trying to make that theory a reality, the search giant is testing a new app that will work on Apple's iPhones, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources. As such, “The head-to-head battle between Apple and Google in mobile maps is drawing nearer.” 

Facebook today is expected to begin rolling out a new tool to help online retailers track member purchases. “The tool is the latest of the new advertising features Facebook is offering to convince marketers that steering advertising dollars to the company will deliver a payoff,” Reuters writes. Facebook promises that the data its so-called "conversion measurement" tool collects is anonymous. 

Spotify is reportedly ready to begin rolling out of its first browser-based music player. “The web app will roll out over the coming months, we're told, and will supplement but not replace the company's desktop apps,” The Verge reports, citing sources. “A browser-based player has been one of Spotify's most requested features, and one of the most obvious differences between it and chief competitor Rdio.” 

Facebook is testing a “share” button on its mobile site, which lets users share their friends’ posts with one tap. “Surely one of users’ most-requested features, the share button is now appearing alongside the ‘like’ and ‘comment’ buttons on the bottom of stories in news feeds on m.facebook.com,” WebProNews’ Josh Wolford reports. “Hallelujah.”