Google competitors needn’t bother targeting the Web giant’s new social network—the company has its employees taking care of that. In a Google+ post, Google engineer Steve Yegge described the social network as a “pathetic afterthought” and claimed that the company’s PR people support his outburst.

Did someone say pathetic? Urban Outfitters, a favorite of shopping mall hipsters, launched a series of products it describes as “Navajo,” but at least one Native American thinks the company is exploiting the tribe.

Perhaps Urban Outfitter’s takes its marketing advice from ’50s Sugar Jets.



Speaking of companies that know a thing or two about pulling a faux pas, as Netflopix continues scrambling to burnish its now tarnished reputation, competitors such as Redbox are hoping to outshine the company—and it wouldn’t be the first time the kiosk-based DVD service benefited from an opponent’s demise.

Elsewhere, the food industry and advertisers are battling against new guidelines on marketing to children that the Obama administration has introduced. Although the standards have already been rolled back, Advertising Age reports that Federal Trade Commission head David Vladeck is willing to temper the recommendations further.

Of course, with products like the marijuana-shaped candy “Pothead Ring Pots” and “Pothead Lollipops” out on the market, we can understand why regulations on marketing to kids might be a necessity.

With all of this tension, we turn to a soothing voice of reason—Ozzy Osbourne. Upon the release of his new book, the former Black Sabbath front man and forever Prince of Darkness shares with The Daily Beast his advice on life, like what bat tastes like.

Now that he’s a published author and all, I wonder if Ozzy might be interested in writing about Japan. The Japan Tourism Agency is giving 10,000 lucky travelers that chance. In exchange for free airfare to foreigners of Japan, selected travelers will report on their travels and experiences while in the country.

Regardless of where you travel, there’s a good chance that texting is helping to improve people’s way of life in unexpected ways.

In fact, your old iPhone might even save the life of a child. Learn how, as well as two other surprisingly brilliant ways to dispose of that old iPhone.

Something else that’s unexpected is the rivalry brewing off the field in this year’s MLB National League Championships Series: Cards vs. Brewers Bud vs. Miller.

The future of journalism is battling a rivalry of its own—the difference between information and knowledge.