Apple vaulting to the top of the mobile ad marketplace was the most notable shift in the new ranking of mobile ad networks by technology research firm IDC, reported by Business Week earlier this week.

Let's stipulate that Research in Motion president and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis doesn't have the flair for delivering the dramatic product launch that Apple CEO Steve Jobs has become known for. Who does? But that places more weight on the new product to sell itself. In the case of BlackBerry-maker RIM's PlayBook tablet computer, unveiled Monday, the device itself didn't close the deal. Despite its sleek appearance, "less than one pound' weight, Wi-Fi connectivity, and other features, a number of key questions remain about the PlayBook.

The iPad certainly hasn't lacked for hype, starting with Apple CEO Steve Jobs' introduction of the tablet computer as "a truly magical and revolutionary product." But new findings from Nielsen suggest the iPad may be delivering on its promise as a new ad platform. According to Nielsen's new Connected Devices Playbook, iPad owners are more receptive to advertising than people using other gadgets, including the iPhone, and more likely to make a purchase after seeing an ad. Nearly 60% of users across the iPad, iPhone and all other connected devices said they were "OK with advertising if it means I …

Forrester's recently released "State of Consumers And Technology" declared 2010 the "year of the personal device." Under that rubric, the research firm in particular highlighted the emergence of e-readers, netbooks and mini PCs. The research firm expects the Kindle and other e-readers this year to reach 10 million in sales, and netbooks and mini PCs together to hit 23.4 million.

After yesterday, the prospect of a Facebook phone is looking more like a reality than a Verizon iPhone. Verizon Wireless CEO Ivan Seidenberg Thursday expressed frustration at Apple's apparent reluctance to strike a deal with the nation's largest carrier to offer Apple's flagship device.

New research from ChangeWave shows Android's growing popularity extends to business users as well as consumers. The Google operating system's share of the corporate market has climbed rapidly from just 3% in November 2009 to 16% in August, based on a survey of 1,602 IT buyers.

The so-called BlackPad is coming next week, according to a Wall Street Journal report today about the long-rumored BlackBerry tablet device from Research in Motion. The article says RIM will unveil the tablet at its upcoming developer conference in San Francisco and offers some details on its features including a 7-inch screen, one or two built-in cameras, and Bluetooth and broadband connections.

If, as long rumored, Verizon Wireless gets the iPhone next year, there's little doubt some AT&T customers with the Apple device would shift to Verizon. But how many? In a new report highlighted by MobileBeat, Credit Suisse took a crack at estimating the impact on AT&T. The Wall Street firm projects 23% of AT&T iPhone subscribers, or about 1.4 million people, would drop the carrier for Verizon in the event it begins offering the Apple phone. Ouch.

After a TechCrunch report that Facebook was secretly building its own mobile phone swept through the tech blogosphere Sunday, the company issued a statement denying the report. The article said Facebook was developing an operating system to be used in conjunction with hardware supplied by a third party. But Facebook said it ain't so.

Microsoft's decision to roll out Windows Phone 7 later this year without Verizon Wireless as a launch partner is the latest sign of the sagging relationship between the software giant and its wireless counterpart.