Twitter's a pretty lucky company. Few get two bytes at the hype apple in rapid succession, but this social media platform has found a way to make up for its disappointing announcement about its advertising model. According to VentureBeat, Twitter might unveil its long-awaited, heavily-hyped and possibly investor-satisfying corporate accounts. Next month, at its inaugural Chirp developer conference, we could finally see what might just be the foundation of Twitter's business model.

Now if you blame the media, someone else will have to share in the losses.

Insurance company Aviva (AV) is taking the side of camera-wielding, microphone-thrusting pushy press folks with a new form of protection that will cover everything from electronics to foot-in-mouth syndrome (i.e., liability). The insurance product will be available to a variety of companies, including both online and print publishers, broadcasters, photographers and marketing and advertising companies. So, if you're responsible for the news, the ads or the process of putting them in front of eyeballs, Aviva probably has you in mind.

Readers of this space may recall that about two weeks ago I wrote about an intriguing turn of events for Microsoft Corp. (MSFT). Pursuant to an agreement with the European Commission, Microsoft has made available to it's new European customers a web page which provides those customers download utilities for a choice of twelve different web browser applications. As I suggested then, It appears that the reign of Windows Internet Explorer may come to a screeching halt.

According to a report from BBC News, a web browsing application known as Opera is knocking Internet Explorer back on it's heels in Europe. Opera Software of Norway states that downloads of it's web browsing software have doubled in some countries since the Microsoft provided selection page came on line. Anywhere from 60% to 75% of the new download requests for Opera have come via the new Microsoft provided service.

Google, Inc. (GOOG) has pretty much conquered the PC as the default search and information service for the majority of internet users. It's also taking on Apple, Inc. (AAPL), as it wants to become the provider of the next-best-thing wireless platform from the iPhone (a fight that's just now getting started). It's YouTube internet video service is being embedded in millions of new Blu-ray disc players and internet-enabled televisions. Where else does Google has aspirations? How about actual Google TV?

Even though the consumer electronics industry wants to have some company -- any company deliver an Apple (AAPL) iPhone killer, that company won't be Google (GOOG). Google, on the other hand, has become Apple's Microsoft (MSFT) from the late 1980s. What's that, you say?

Microsoft took the personal computer market by storm by not tightly controlling every piece of hardware and software that was used with its now-ubiquitous Windows operating system. Apple, on the other hard, guaranteed a solid user experience by tying its excellently-designed hardware with only its own operating system software. It's been said that Microsoft, more than any other company, enabled the PC era by not controlling the hardware it's software rode on top of. Google has the same goal in the mobile space, which is where the future of consumer computing is headed.

When it comes to electronic payments, China is still in the early stages. But in light of its huge population and fast-growing economy, the potential is enormous.

So, eBay's (EBAY) PayPal is getting aggressive in the country. For example, the company has struck a partnership deal with China UnionPay, which is the biggest electronic payments provider in China.

Google's (GOOG) problems in China have been well-publicized in recent years. The world's most populous country and its own Baidu.com search engine have managed to stave off Google to a minority market share. At the same time, the Chinese government has been no friend of the world's leading search engine, requesting censored results in comparison to Google's "all information is free" stance. So, Google stands prepared to leave China for good.

Catastrophe modelers, insurers and reinsurers are still sorting out the damage from Windstorm Xynthia in Europe and the earthquake in Chile. Taking only the highest of high-end estimates, the damage from these two catastrophes could exceed $12 billion, resulting in fairly steep property-catastrophe losses long before hurricane season begins. With three more major property reinsurance renewals remaining for the year -- at April 1, June 1 (Florida) and July 1 -- there is plenty of time for the impact of these events to be absorbed into reinsurance pricing.

Dell's (DELL) is about to start thinking that it's newer Mini 5 hybrid device will be an Apple (AAPL) iPad competitor. Each device has not even been released yet, and there are competitive stirrings already afoot. The Dell unit, which looks like a large smartphone but not quite as large as a tablet computer, will bring a ton of Amazon (AMZN) services to bear in order to try and compete with the Apple content ecosystem that will surely blow all others away once the iPad starts shipping next month. Can an Amazon Kindle e-reader application pre-loaded on Dell's device really give an iPad a run for its money?

Ford's (F) Alan Mulally believes that the U.S. automaker stands to gain more market share in the U.S. at the expense of Japan's Toyota, which is in the midst of a huge product recall and public relations nightmare. Mulally's statement sounds pretty obvious, but it's true. It's already happening.

In my columns, I usually focus on new technologies that can help boost your business. But sometimes the old-fashioned approaches can still work quite well.

Yes, this includes mailers.

OK, it's true that people still throw away much of their mail (and, it even looks like the U.S. Postal Service will cut back on its deliveries). But if a mailer is done right, you can get a nice return on your investment.

Madonna is pairing up with Iconix (ICON) to launch her own fashion line, MG Icon, which will be sold exclusively at Macy's.

The line will debut at about 200 stores in time for the back to school shopping season, with Madonna providing development and promotional services. The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that "the collection of apparel, footwear, handbags and jewelry is expected to retail at $12 to $40. Growth plans include fragrance as well as expansion into additional Macy's stores. Macy's will be able to launch additional brands with the joint venture."

In terms of subscribers, China Mobile (CHL) is the largest mobile carrier (the base is more than 500 million). But of course, the company wants to become even bigger.

And one of the most promising markets is mobile payment. However, it can be difficult to pull this off. So, China Mobile has agreed to pay $5.83 billion for a 20% stake in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. The transaction was priced at a 13% discount.