This series is brought to you by HTC EVO 4G, America's first 4G phone. Only from Sprint. The "First to Know" series keeps you in the know on what's happening now in the world of social media and technology.
iPhone 4 Sales Off to a Galloping Start in China
Although sales of the iPhone 3GS in China were less than spectacular -- not least because the version that appeared in China lacked Wi-Fi support -- the iPhone 4 appears to be a success in the country thus far.
While it took more than a month for China Unicom to sell 100,000 iPhone 3GS devices when they arrived in China last year, it has only taken four days for the mobile carrier to announce that it has sold that many iPhone 4 devices, in addition to the 200,000 pre-orders the company said it received.
Apple, which is selling the iPhone 4 for about $150 less than China Unicom and without a two-year service contract, has not yet revealed how many devices it has sold directly in China yet.
Skype's Next Version to Feature Deep Facebook Integration
Facebook and Skype are working to deeply integrate their networks and services on Skype accounts, sources familiar with the matter have told AllThingsD.
Skype users will be able to log in with their Facebook credentials to text, chat and call their Facebook friends directly within the service. The new features should go live when the new version of the service, Skype 5.0, emerges from beta in a couple of weeks.
Kobo Announces New Wireless E-Reader
Kobo, an e-book retailer and and device manufacturer, today announced a new, Wi-Fi-enabled e-reader.
The $139 device features an upgraded processor, sharper eInk screen, longer battery life and additional storage.
While its specs aren't as good as Amazon's Wi-Fi-enabled e-reader, also available for $139, it has the advantage of distribution through Borders retail locations in the U.S., as well as Indigo Books & Music and Walmart in Canada. The Kindle 3 is currently carried at brick-and-mortar Target and Best Buy locations in the U.S.
Further News
ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and other broadcasters have filed a lawsuit against Seattle-based online subscription service Ivi for streaming television programs without authorization [via Bloomberg].
At Tuesday's IAB Mixx conference in Manhattan, Twitter COO Dick Costolo announced that the microblogging service would be shelving its Early Bird advertising product, at least for now, and that a new ad format for gaining followers would be launching "very shortly."
Dunkin’ Donuts, no stranger to grandiose social media campaigns, is at it again with a new social media endeavor: The coffee and donut chain is seeking its number one coffee fan via Facebook.
Blue Nile, Inc., an online purveyor of diamonds and fine jewelry, has released a diamond shopping app [iTunes link] for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
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