Herding Cats: ESPN and Men in Black Go 3D, $2 Bill Taco Bell Campaign and BP Oil Spill Update

This week the FTC opened antitrust investigations against Apple over their new iAd platform, ESPN went 3D, and BP realizes they're in the hole for over $6 billion.

The Apple Blog: The Feds Getting Curious About Apple - As if dealing with the iPhone 4 leak wasn't enough, Apple is now being investigated by the FTC in what will likely result in an antitrust suit. The new iAd platform only allows independent ad agencies to collect user data via locking out other major platforms like Google's AdMob. Before fanboys go crazy claiming Apple should not have to allow other platforms on their products, or that their products are so successful they've created a monopoly (in good faith), you should consider reading up on the Sherman Antitrust Act. The Apple Blog claims that "[F]or Apple to be anti-competitive, it's necessary that it have a monopoly which it's abusing to the detriment of the industry." The folks over at The Apple Blog are sorely misinformed: for something to qualify as anti-competitive it merely has to qualify as a restraint of trade. Greedy much, Jobs?

Wired: ESPN Launches 3D Channel for World Cup But Few Can Watch - If you haven't heard already, the rich and technologically impatient will be able to enjoy the World Cup in 3D via ESPN3 for an additional $10 a month. Current 3D TVs provide more novelty than they do picture quality, but VP of Strategic Business Planning Bryan Burns believes the new technology will be publicly adopted with the same facility as HD was a few years ago. Burns cites a Displaybank report that predicts 6.2 million 3D TVs will sell this by the end of 2010 (but this sounds like a Big Tobacco-esque study to me). For more information on the new ESPN 3D offerings, check out Guy and Yasar's post.

Sony Insider: Men in Black 3D Teaser Clip - The boys are back to kick more alien @$$ in MIB 3D, set to release May 25, 2012. The first two installments grossed over $440 million in the box offices alone and both starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.  Will Smith has already signed on for the new flick and Jones is in advanced negotiations at the moment (gimme more money!). Notable about the upcoming film is that it appears to be shot using actual 3D cameras, something that makes me happy inside. I would rather eat all the gum off the theater floor than watch another film shot in 2D and then converted into 3D. Check out the Men in Black 3D teaser trailer (shot in true 3D) on YouTube.

The Consumerist: BP Estimates Oil Spill Cleanup Costs At $3-6 Billion - The Exxon-Valdez oil spill was roughly ten times smaller than our current ocean-polluting disaster. Scientists are now claiming roughly 40,000 barrels are spilt per day (1.68 million gallons) into the Gulf, and that there could be up to 100 million gallons released to-date. According to analysts from Credit Suisse, CitiGroup, and Merrill Lynch, it will most likely cost BP $3-6 billion to clean up their mess and another $14 billion in damages to local businesses. This comes after news that $1.43 billion has already been expended in a BP marketing campaign to provide states and other agencies funds to advertise that their tourist destinations are unharmed.

U.S. News: Taco Bell Tries To Bring Back $2 Bill For Publicity Stunt - If Taco Bell gets their way we may find ourselves dropping Jeffersons at places other than just adult entertainment venues. As a publicity stunt to promote their new $2 meals, Taco Bell is petitioning the Fed to bring back $2 bills, which have been out of circulation since 2006. $2 bills account for less than 1% of all US currency in circulation. Taco Bell took out a full page ad in USA Today to garner public support for their cause.

Bangkok Post: Japanese Minister Resigns Over Vexed Postal Issue - Shizuka Kamei resigned his post as Financial Services Minister earlier today over a broken promise concerning the privatization of Japan's postal service. Kamei was trying to halt the privatization as Japan Post is a large banking and insurance holder. His resignation follows that of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who was accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes last week.


I don't know if we should be more excited for the possibility of getting $2 bills back or because we'll get to see awesome exploding 3D alien goo in a couple years--but either way, that's it for this week. Thanks folks.