In June, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) made a historic move to open domain name endings beyond the 20 or so that currently exist to an unlimited number. This means that the .com, .net, .org, and others that consumers are familiar with could turn into .brand in the near future.

Privacy is always a concern when you are spending time on the internet. Facebook is one company who has landed itself in some hot water over privacy of late and it has just gotten worse.

Google is experimenting with a new feature in Google Maps that allows a small portion of users to view specific prices for selected hotel listings.

By searching for hotels on Google Maps, users will be able to plug-in dates they plan to stay and see prices on selected listings.

Google announced that it is testing a new AdWords feature called AdWords Comparison Ads. These are ads that let users compare multiple offers from the same advertiser that are relevant to the user.

Google says the feature is part of its continuing effort to make ads more relevant and useful to users and help advertisers reach the people who are most interested in their products and services.

Back in June, Microsoft launched the Bing Toolbox. This is pretty much what you might consider a one-stop shop for Bing webmaster, developer, and advertiser resources. Microsoft described the Toolbox as an organized set of tools for the entire Bing community, and a one-stop portal to all of the services you need to drive traffic and increase engagement with your site and applications.

Microsoft announced the Bing Toolbox today, which is a new portal for webmasters, publishers, developers, and advertisers. Basically it is a resource for finding useful Bing-related tools. Here’s the official description:

The Toolbox is an organized set of tools for the entire Bing community. It’s a one-stop portal to all of the services you need to drive traffic and increase engagement with your site and applications.

Google is of course testing a new interface for AdWords, and to prepare users for an easy transition, Google is putting out the resources to ensure they’re up to speed. For one, the company’s Inside AdWords Blog has announced "New Interface Thursdays." Each Thursday, they will provide an in-depth look at new features, tips and tricks, product updates, announcements, etc.

DVR users are the highest viewers of online primetime television content, according to a new study by Integrated Media Measurement Inc. (IMMI).

Among the people who watched primetime programming both online and on a DVR, 35 percent watched four or more episodes online, compared with 15 percent for people who watched primetime programming both online and on live television.

The adExcellence program being offered by Microsoft will help its advertising clients learn all about adCenter.

Things just keep looking worse for Facebook’s Beacon: Coca-Cola and other advertisers are opting out of the program; there may be legal troubles ahead; and some investigative security work shows that Beacon sends information about user activity even when logged out of Facebook.

The Google AdWords blog had a post today that caught my attention. The AdWords Optimization Team is accepting requests from advertisers who want feedback on their campaigns. Simply fill out a request form and tell Google about your business and advertising goals.

Today, ABCSearch announced a deal with Yahoo! that will see Yahoo! sponsored search listings distributed across ABCSearch’s network of vertical search engines and directories.

Google has taken another step toward wiping Madison Avenue’s influence off the television industry by partnering with Nielsen for ratings information.

WebProNews will be reporting from the Podcast and New Media Expo in Ontario, California taking place through Sunday.

Advertising that reaches into consumer’s passions is likely to result in greater online engagement and brand loyalty according to a new study from Yahoo and MediaVest, "Passionistas: The New Empowered Consumers."