When Jeff Bezos unveils the widely anticipated Amazon smartphone on Wednesday, it is expected to not only have "razzle-dazzle features such as motion sensors and a 3-D interface," writes the Seattle Times' Brier Dudley, but also could entice users with "cheap or free service to buyers who also subscribe to its Prime shipping and media-services bundle."

Any number of factors may disconnect their ongoing conversation but for now it appears that that Sprint will be acquiring T-Mobile this summer in a deal that will create an entity that will compete with Verizon and AT&T in the increasingly megalithic landscape of telecom.

Hilton Worldwide is building a "collection" of upscale four- to five-star hotels formally known as "Curio - A Collection by Hilton" that is targeted to "travelers who seek local discovery and authentic experiences" and will keep the individual character of each property "intact," it announced this week.

The announcements at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference won't be immediately inducing consumers to key in their credit card numbers for dazzling new hardware -- there wasn't any shown. But there were some software developments that have yesterday's target -- the people who create things to do with that hardware -- quite excited, according to several accounts.

Performance horseshoes aren't among Skechers product offerings - at least not yet - but that hasn't stopped it from becoming the first marketer to sign Triple Crown hopeful California Chrome to an endorsement deal. If the 3-year-old adds the Belmont Stakes to his victories at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness next week, California Chrome will become the first thoroughbred since Affirmed in 1978 to win all three major races.