Google has launched YouTube 2.1 for Android devices running version 2.2 of the OS this week, the first time the popular video sharing site can be downloaded unconnected from the OS.

YouTube 2.1 is fully redesigned and should "mimic" the desktop version.

The update is the "fastest, most intuitive" mobile YouTube app created for any device, says Google.

Some of the welcome updates are the ability to read descriptions, post comments, see related content, rate the video in-play and in-page playback.

2.2 owners can download the app now, and it is natively built into 2.3 Gingerbread.

Permalink | Comments

---

Michael "Shag" Washington, backup singer for the band Cypress Hill has sued Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two for $250 million dollars, for allegedly using his likeness without permission in the blockbuster hit Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

$250 million is 25 percent of the profits the game has made since its release in 2004.

Washington says that while the game was in development, Rockstar consulted him for a real-life look into "gangs and street life," promising to call him if they used any of his material in the game.

The singer says now that the entire appearance and story of Carl "CJ" Johnson, the main character, is based on what he consulted Rockstar and his own life story.

Washington says he never heard back from Rockstar and only just heard of the game after a nephew purchased it for his Mac last month. After playing the game, Washington says he believes the stories and appearance of the main character are based off his life and info.

"Upon examination of images of 'CJ' and comparison to his photos from that year and other evidence, it became clear that Rockstar had stolen his image and never paid him," reads the suit (via GamaSutra).

Take-Two and Rockstar both deny the claim and "will vigorously defend" themselves in court.

Permalink | Comments

---

Sirius XM has signed a new five-year deal with infamous 'shock jock' Howard Stern, one that will pay him somewhere between $80-$100 million per year.

Stern's current 5-year $500 million deal expires at the end of the year.

As part of the new deal, the shock jock can also be streamed via mobile/Internet apps, such as those found on the Apple iPhone and Android smartphones, alongside satellite radio devices.

Stern's first deal blocked the host from being on Internet sources.

Since Stern's original contract was signed, Sirius' subscriber base has jumped from 600,000 to 19 million.

Permalink | Comments

---

According to a new study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 8 percent of American adults currently use Twitter, with only 2 percent using it on a daily basis.

The company surveyed 2550 Americans, 74 of which use the Internet.

Although the overall number was low, Pew found that Twitter was popular among younger adults, urban city dwellers and minorities.

Women were also more likely to use Twitter.

Overall, 10 percent of Twitter users were women, compared to 7 percent for men, with the majority being in the 18-29 age group.

From a racial standpoint, Hispanics were most likely to use the micro blogging service followed closely by the black population and finally the white population.

24 percent of Twitter users check the site for updates multiple times a day, while 12 percent check it just once. A full 21 percent never check their accounts.

For those that actually post, 72 percent post about their personal lives, 62 percent write about work and 55 percent post news. 54 percent "post humorous or observational tweets" and 53 percent re-tweet other posts.

52 percent send private messages, 40 share pics, 28 percent share videos and 24 percent tweet their geo-location.

Permalink | Comments

---

Google's head of Android Andy Rubin took to Twitter today to let the world know that over 300,000 Android smartphones are being activated each day.

Marking only the second time he has ever tweeted, Rubin says, simply: "There are over 300,000 Android phones activated each day."

The number is a huge jump from the 200,000-a-day claim stated in August. In February the company claimed 60,000 per day and 160,000 in June.

Adds Rubin, via MM: "It looks like Android is not just phenomenal but incredibly phenomenal in its growth rate. God knows how long that will continue."

Android has quickly become the most popular smartphone operating system in the United States, surpassing RIM and Apple in the Q3 2010.

Version 2.3 of the OS, dubbed Gingerbread, has just been unveiled and will be available next week via the new flagship Nexus S.

Permalink | Comments

---

The European Union has fined five companies $863 million USD this week for being part of an 'LCD cartel' that helped fix prices from 2001 through 2006.

Samsung, the sixth LCD maker in the scheme and the largest in the world, blew the whistle on the other companies and therefore avoided a fine from the European Commission.

LG Display, the second largest LCD maker in the world, was fined $284 million and accepted the fine saying: "LG Display acknowledges the wrongful acts of the past and respects the European Commission's regulatory authority in this regard."

The company did say it may appeal the ruling if it finds any "procedural issues with the investigation."

Execs for each of the companies met in Taiwanese hotels "at least 60 times" during the time period, dubbing the exchanges "the Crystal meetings." During the meeting, the execs would work on fixing prices while sharing information on future production plans.

For the five year period, the cartel affected LCD panel sales worth about $9.24 billion in the European market.

The other companies and their fines:

Chimei InnoLux Corp - $395 million
AU Optronics Corp - $153 million
Chunghwa Picture Tubes - $11.8 million
HannStar Display Corp - $10.7 million

In 2008, LG Display paid a $400 million fine to the U.S. Justice Department for the same price fixing scheme.

Permalink | Comments

---