Verizon, Motorola intro Droid R2-D2; Apple reportedly prepping new iPad

Quick news from around the Web

@FierceWireless: RT @alleyinsider: CHART OF THE DAY: Apple's Mobile Ad Business Is Just As Big As Google's $GOOG $AAPL. Article | Follow @FierceWireless

> Verizon Wireless will sell the Droid R2-D2 by Motorola for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract. Release

> According to a new survey, companies that require employees to use BlackBerry gadgets may be inadvertently hurting Research In Motion's smartphone brand. Post

> A new HTC phone is reportedly heading to Verizon Wireless. Article

> Sony Ericsson unveiled its new LiveView phone alert screen. Post

> Sprint Nextel will highlight its WiMAX market launches with a new series of Web videos. Release

> Apple is reportedly preparing a new iPad to be released in June. Article

> Nokia offered a glimpse into its Cambridge Research Center. Post

> American Roamer inked a deal with Time Warner Cable. Release

> Is Apple's Tim Cook up for a job at Hewlett-Packard? Article

Mobile Content News

> Adobe Systems updated its Adobe Scene7 hosted cross-media publishing platform to incorporate end-to-end video publishing capabilities. Article

> Google acquired mobile social startup Plannr. Article

> Amazon looks poised to launch an Android app store. Article

> Mobile publishing and advertising solutions provider Verve Wireless closed a $7 million financing round. Article

Mobile Developer News

> Developers agree Apple's iAd is more expensive but also more effective. Article

> Developers appear positive on Android's future, but are playing iOS for now. Commentary

> Nokia and AT&T are offering a $10 million developer challenge. Article

And finally... Google: Pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza, pizza. Video