Facebook Timeline hits mobile, Twitter's $300m prince, LinkedIn ego, social media to boost SmartTV & Chromebooks for libraries

Facebook Timeline hits iPhone and Android

After launching Facebook Timeline to everyone last Thursday, Facebook has updated its mobile apps to now display the life-focused Timeline. The iPad version is still in the works, but the newly released mobile versions incorporate the new photo-focused layout. 

Saudi prince buys $300m stake in Twitter

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who has a net worth of just under $20 billion, has just bought a 3.75% stake in Twitter. He said that Twitter was a "promising, high-growth business with a global impact." Alwaleed is the second largest investor in Murdoch's News Corporation. 

'Creative' - The most used LinkedIn self-description

According to a study by LinkedIn on 135 million of its users, the word 'creative' came up the most in profile descriptions, especially from people living in Australia, Canada, the US, Germany, Netherlands and the UK. The word was found to be almost mandatory for people working within the creative industry.

The other most used terms include 'organisational', 'effective', 'extensive experience', 'motivated', 'innovative', 'communication skills' and 'dynamic'.

YouGov expects social media to drive SmartTV boom in 2012

Around 15% of UK consumers will have a SmartTV in the next 12 months, according to YouGov. The device is believed to become a key entertainment streaming hub that will combine games consoles, television, film rentals and social media.

Sales are expected to speed up around the European Football championship and Olympics during the summer, but a main driver is expected to be social offerings, in other words being able to comment and share media through Facebook and Twitter. Virtual living rooms where friends and family can watch the same content will be a selling point for many.

US libraries begin lending out Chromebooks

Google has been working with libraries to allow people to 'loan out' Chromebooks for up to a week. Several libraries have adopted short-term hourly loans, where users can check-out a Chromebook for several hours. The initiative was launched to help boost awareness of Google's Chromebooks.