Internet & Media

Amid heightened anticipation for the launch of its iPad tablet device on Saturday, Apple on Thursday made available numerous iPad-ready applications and began listing Web sites that have been optimized and enhanced for compatibility with the iPad's features.… Read more

Be open, but be careful. That's the watchword for those serving in the Air Force and in the Marines, who can now tweet and use Facebook for official military business and authorized personal matters.

The U.S. Air Force is slowly and cautiously opening its network to social media sites, starting this week with five bases in the Pacific, to be followed by a wider rollout later in April, according to the Air Force's official Web site. The U.S. Marine Corps, meanwhile, this week opened up full access to all personnel, says the Marine Corps Times.

The … Read more

One of the most closely watched races in online video the past two years has been between Hulu and YouTube, and it appears Hulu has just earned some bragging rights.

In a New York Times interview, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said the streaming video service has posted profits in two quarters (though he provided few details). Kilar also said that revenue surpassed $100 million in 2009.

Profits are a significant benchmark for the company, jointly owned by News Corp., NBC Universal, and Disney. Two years ago, Google's YouTube reigned over online video nearly unchallenged. YouTube employees snickered at the … Read more

Facebook is beefing up its European sales team with a big name in social networking circles: it is adding former Bebo CEO Joanna Shields, who will runs sales and business development in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

It's familiar territory for her in more than one way, since she once helped Google manage the same geography.

Shields has had a busy couple of years: Two years ago, she arranged the sale Bebo to AOL for $850 million. A year after that, she took off and ended up in a content start-up backed by Elisabeth Murdoch's Shine Group. … Read more

The postman, an often overlooked low-tech part of Netflix's Web movie-rental business, may walk off the job--at least on Saturdays.

The U.S. Postal Service, founded in 1775, wants to drop Saturday mail delivery as part of a plan to cut costs, according to reports in The Washington Post and elsewhere. Some observers fear that Netflix customers could revolt if the weekend becomes a dead zone for disc delivery.

The proposal is a long way from being a sure thing. Several lawmakers and the union representing mail carriers will oppose a Saturday shutdown. And the people wringing their hands … Read more

Would anyone ever sit through a 30-minute ad for the iPad?

Wednesday, quite a few people did. One whole episode of the critically acclaimed ABC show "Modern Family" was dedicated to the deep and desperate desire associated with becoming one of the first to own the magic and revolutionary item that launches before your hangover disappears on Saturday morning.

In the show, the rather cool dad, who I believe is called Phil, is desperate to get an iPad for his birthday. In the great tradition of the sitcom dramatic arc, the script suggests he will be deeply disappointed. … Read more

Google has finally chosen to be socially conscious.

Oh, of course I'm kidding. Just like those deeply witty Googlies who have reportedly decided to make an April Fool's jape out of jail.

Fast Company appears to have accessed an April 1 amusement, in which the repression-averse company claims it will make jails a better experience for the masses. Which presumably includes mass murderers.

The idea is Google Jail for Communities. And, in the reported words of the company for whom doing evil would constitute doing time for life, this experiment comprises an attempt to bring the finest aspects … Read more

With the iPad's launch just days away, several publishers will begin setting e-book prices on Amazon.com starting Thursday, according to published reports.

CBS' Simon & Schuster and News Corp.'s HarperCollins Publishers have struck deals with Amazon.com to determine their own prices for electronic titles, according to The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek reports. (CNET is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS.) Additionally, Macmillan, Hachette Book Group, and Penguin Group will begin setting their own prices on Thursday, according to a Sony letter cited by BusinessWeek.

Most e-books will cost between $12.99 and $14.… Read more

NEW YORK--Comcast gave a preview here Wednesday of what its 3D broadcast of the Masters golf tournament will look like next week.

The cable giant will be delivering the live 3D broadcast of the tournament, produced by the Augusta National Golf Club, from April 7 through 11 to subscribers of Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, and Cablevision.

The feed, which is the first-ever linear broadcast of a live 3D event, will also be simulcast online. Highlights will be available on demand after the tournament ends.

On Wednesday, Comcast showed off test footage to reporters at the Sports New York … Read more