Skype acquires group messaging service GroupMe
Skype has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire mobile group messaging services provider GroupMe.

GroupMe offers text-based communications solutions that enable users to connect, share locations and photos. GroupMe?s group messaging service works across mobile devices and platforms. GroupMe was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in New York City.

The deal, along with Skype?s acquisition of mobile video provider Qik earlier this year, boosts Skype?s ability to provide unique mobile user experiences.

Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Skype in May for $8.5 billion.

Tablets shipments could reach 250M by 2017: In-Stat
Tablet shipments will approach 250 million units in 2017, according to a new report from In-Stat.

The research company says the tablet market reached an inflection point as a result of the introduction of the iPad, new business models supported by wireless operators and new usage models through cloud computing and mobile applications. In-Stat forecasts more growth opportunities in tablets as a result of price degradation and the introduction of new tablets from major consumer electronics companies such as Samsung, Motorola, BlackBerry, LG and HTC.

Other findings include that tablets are competing against all consumer electronics and computing devices, not just PCs in the consumer segment; the nine-inch to 11-inch form factor is forecasted to be the dominant tablet form factor with 56 percent of the market in 2017; iOS and Android are forecast to maintain over 90 percent of the market share with Windows as a distant third, and not supporting one of the leading OS platforms is likely to lead to the failure of several companies in the tablet market due to lack of application support.

Best Buy offers free iPhone with contract
Best Buy featured a one-day offer yesterday of a free AT&T 8GB iPhone 3GS either for new and existing customers with a two-year contract.

The exclusive offer was available in-store at Best Buy stores and Best Buy Mobile specialty stores. Customers could also purchase the deal online and pick up their phone in store.

Best Buy?s regular price for the AT&T 8GB iPhone 3GS is $499.

Boost Mobile in extensive marketing deal with the WNBA
Boost Mobile has signed a multiyear marketing partnership with The Women?s National Basketball Association to become the league?s more prominent marketing partner.

As a result of the deal, Boost Mobile will be tied closely to the WNBA brand on a national level. Boost Mobile will featured in WNBA national and local marketing activities.

Placement for Boost Mobile includes being featured on the front of the game jerseys for 10 WNBA teams. The Boost Mobile brand will also be displayed on courts, pole pads, in-game advertisements, in-game promotions and included in WNBA social media channels.

Additionally, programming highlighting the ?WNBA?s Top 15 Moments presented by Boost Mobile? will be featured on NBA TV on Aug. 26 and will be featured on a microsite on WNBA.com.

Motricity CEO Ryan Wuerch departs the company
Motricity has terminated CEO Ryan Wuerch?s employment and his membership on Motricity?s board of directors. The mutually agreed upon separation is effective Aug. 20, 2011.

The mobile advertising firm has named Jim Smith interim CEO. The company has also initiated a search for a permanent CEO. Mr. Smith has served as president and COO of Motricity since 2009.

The news follows on the announcement that Motricity is launching a search to replace CFO Allyn Hebner, and the departure of chief strategy and marketing officer Jim Ryan.

Wuerch founded Motricity in 2001.

Miramax fans can watch films, share experience via new Facebook app
Miramax has launched its first digital applicaiton on Facebook, called Miramax eXperience, that lets users watch movie clips and feature length films, play games and share the experience with their Facebook friends.

The goal is for Miramax to reach over 150 million Facebook friends within the next 18 months.

One of the reasons behind Miramax?s decision to launch the app is that there are over 50 million friends on Facebook that mention a Miramax film in their profile, interact with the Miramax Facebook page or like the fan pages of Miramax titles and actors, according to the company.

The App allows users to view Miramax films on multiple devices, including their PC, iPad or TV.

At launch the app offers rental videos on demand. Miramax hopes to expand the app to offer the opportunity to buy films and store them in cloud-based digital lockers so that content can be accessed across PCs, smartphones, tablets or TVs.

Zinio?s paid orders up 253pc via magazine app
Magazine exploration and reading app Zinio has ranked as the number one top grossing news app in many countries -- including the United States, Australia and Canada -- since its Apple iOS 2.0 release in July. Additionally, Zinio's Android app has exceeded 300,000 installs in less than 60 days since its launch.

The company reports that paid orders through Zinio are up 253 percent in Q2 year-to-date over last year. More than 175 million magazine issues have been delivered to Zinio readers to date.

In the second quarter, Zinio added 400 magazine titles from 28 countries for a total of over 4,500 titles. Through its Unity platform, readers can now access their Zinio cloud library on their Mac, PC, laptop, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows 7 devices, with others to follow.