Google's Android platform claimed 23.5% share of the U.S. smartphone market for the three months ended in October, up from 17% the previous quarter, according to new data from comScore. That brings Android nearly even with Apple's iOS, which was relatively flat at 24.6%. Both trailed RIM's BlackBerry OS, which had a 35.8% share in the third quarter, but was down 3.5 percentage points from the second quarter. The report also found that more than a third of U.S. mobile users browsed the Web (36.2%) and downloaded an app (33.7%), while almost a quarter (24.2%) accessed a social networking …

Retail sales got a big lift in November across all segments due in part to a strong promotional environment. The sales-weighted composite for the 30 retailers reporting was better than the 1.7% same-store sales gain last month and the 0.9% gain in November of 2009 for the same measure, according to Kantar Retail. And the International Council of Shopping Centers, which tracks a different group of stores, says its index registered a 5.8% comparable-store increase, outperforming both industry and ICSC expectations.  Both Kantar and ICSC attribute the gains to promotions. Other factors that resulted in a bump …

Denver-based restaurant chain Smashburger has chosen Cactus, also Denver-based, as its new agency of record. Cactus, a full-service brand communications agency, will be responsible for brand advertising, in-store, out-of-store and online efforts, national promotions and media buying.  The agency has won awards from The One Show, Communication Arts, The Webby Awards, Advertising Age and other recognition programs. Smashburger, developed and owned by private equity and concept-development firm Consumer Capital Partners (CCP), operates and develops corporate, joint venture and franchise stores across the country. The chain reports that it will have more than 200 locations by 2012 and more than …

Verizon Wireless announced Wednesday it will begin offering 4G wireless service in 38 U.S. markets on Sunday with pricing less than what it charges for some 3G plans. With the rollout of its 4G LTE network, the nation's largest carrier will offer a $50 monthly plan for five gigabytes of data, which is $10 less than its current 3G plan and Sprint's competing 4G offering. An $80 monthly plan will buy 10 GB of data. The 4G network will initially be open to laptop users through special USB modems that will cost $100 with a two-year contract and …

Mojiva, through its mOcean Mobile ad-serving arm, will power in-app advertising for Intel's AppUp center, the app storefront for netbooks launched earlier this year by the world's largest chip maker, the.  AppUp provides distribution for developers on the more than 70 million netbooks using Intel's Atom processor. The Mojiva deal with Intel is meant to help developers monetize their netbook apps through standard display and rich media ad placements. "This initiative helps lay a solid foundation for monetization, as we expand the AppUp center beyond netbooks to other mobile devices in the future," said Scott Apeland, director …

The plan would let people choose whether they want information about their browsing habits to be collected, according to a report Wednesday afternoon in The New York Times. It also would "encourage companies to promote consumer privacy when developing new products and services." Self-regulation, preferred by advertising companies and many online retailers, has "failed to provide adequate and meaningful protection" for consumers, the report said.

One year in, a combined rewards program for the Papa Gino's/D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches chains is exceeding all goals, reports Papa Gino, Inc. SVP brand development Michael McManama. The success has been driven by strategic email and other efforts enabled by a new database/campaign management system that allows behavior-and customer data-based targeting of personalized offers, as well as immediate follow-up offers reflecting individual customer responses.

Pepto-Bismol has tapped actor Ken Jeong for a national TV spot and web videos about the propensity to overdo it at holiday parties. Except the effort fully endorses profligate abuse of one's alimentary canal. The ads have Jeong showing up at parties to discourage fastidiousness. The videos and other elements are at Pepto's Facebook page.

Southwest Airlines has become the first airline to log one million fans on Facebook. The Dallas-based airline is offering fans a special Rapids Reward promotion for one day only to mark the achievement. Facebook fans of the airline can earn triple Rapid Rewards credit on all flights purchased on Dec. 1 for travel Dec. 1-31. With this promotion, members can earn a free flight after just three roundtrips. Registration is required through the airline's Facebook page. Fans who are not yet Rapid Rewards Members can join and receive a special enrollment offer of up to five credits and …

Apple's iPhone iOS has moved into a statistical dead heat with RIM's BlackBerry as the most popular smartphone platform, according to October data from Nielsen released today. Each has more than a 27% share of the market while Android is gaining fast, at 22.7%. At it's present rate of growth, Android is on track to overtake both iOS and BlackBerry for the top spot early next year. Overall nearly 30% of U.S. mobile users now own a smartphone. Separately, Nielsen found that iOS and Android were tied for the "most desired" operating systems among mobile users planning to upgrade …