It’s hardly a surprise that Google-powered Android smart phones is gaining on rivals, becoming the tech business story of the year. New numbers out of the U.S. show Android phones could actually overtake Apple’s iPhone with a strong Christmas.

Despite the considerable hype of location-based services such as Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook Places redefining online commerce, the reality is the “check-in” is an activity for only the geekiest of geeks, a sobering new report shows.

The latest figures from comScore on Britain’s digital advertising market show a sector that is growing steadily, fueled by Britons’ love affair with online shopping and Facebook.

The economic outlook may look bleak, but it’s not likely to dent spending on social media marketing. A new study of small- and mid-sized businesses shows a healthy optimism for a strong return on social media investment, and, accordingly, an increased investment in this area. Their big focus? Yep, Twitter and Facebook.

We ask this question after Twitter revealed to the New York Times its latest growth figures in a profile this weekend of co-founder Evan Williams. Twitter has added an impressive 30 million users in the last two months, putting it at 175 million, far ahead of Facebook at the same point in its life cycle.

Earlier this week, a Google-commissioned study informed us Britain has become a “nation of digital shopkeepers,” with the digital economy contributing more to GDP than construction, education and transport. How could this have happened so quickly? The rise of social commerce may just be the answer.

Okay, this factoid is a few days old, but it’s still worth noting. ComScore released last week its latest online audience reach numbers for social networks in the U.S. The winner? Yep. Facebook. By a mile.

Yes, web users do view online video ads in their entirety, says a new study from a TV network that is trying to make money from online video ads. Well, most of the viewers do. Okay, the CW Television Network study may sound self-serving, but there are some interesting findingsthat point to what we already know: viewing online video (and the accompanying ads) is becoming a growth industry.

Here’s a refreshing how-to social media presentation that even heard-it-all-before industry vets should take the time to review. It’s from Mashable COO Adam Hirsch discussing top tips for social media engagement for newby brands and organizations

New research suggests perhaps they should. We’ve known for a while now that Facebook fans tend to be a brand’s most vocal consumers and biggest advocates (not to mention, critics) too. But are they more likely to buy? Indeed they are.