Digital moves this week from Barbie, Apple and Twangoo

Apple's upcoming fifth operating system for its iPods, iPhones and iPads is not solely alligned with Twitter. The full version of the iOS 5 will also feature other web social services like LinkedIn and Flickr.

Group buying website Twangoo.com has acquired private travel sales site Travel Avenue in Singapore and will soon launch Twangoo Jetsetter. Twangoo, which positions itself as offering high-end flash sales, currently operates in Hong Kong, Manila and soon Singapore.

Twitter is finally providing services its users previously had to turn to third party applications for. It is due to roll out its URL shortening button and has also launched its own photo sharing services.

Greenpeace has taken its attack on Mattel to social media with a video of Ken dumping Barbie over the Indonesian rainforests, a Facebook site and a website encouraging viewers to email the CEO of Mattel. Its YouTube video has gone viral since it was posted on Wednesday.

The WE Marketing Group has formed a new digital team headed by Hugo Chan, for Greater China, with a specialised focus on social media and Weibo. The new team has already secured two new key pieces of business, including Mars's M&Ms and leading Chinese car rental provider China Auto Rental.

Saatchi & Saatchi Shanghai is Chinese internet TV provider PPTV's creative retainer agency partner. The agency will oversee PPTV’s brand strategy and creative business, joining its sister Publicis Group company ZenithOptimedia, which won the media pitch earlier this year.

Nike and Apple are the leading brands in terms of awareness and engagement with consumers via Sina Weibo in China, according to a new study by consultancy R3.The research found that Nike attracted the highest levels of consumer awareness on its micro blogging site, while Apple encouraged the highest amount of consumer participation.

Online Media Partners, a local full-service digital agency in China, has engaged Axis Business Consulting — led by advertising industry veterans Alan Rutherford and Louise Au — to advise on strategic development and regional expansion.

Facebook's quiet roll out of its facial recognition technology that automatically identifies users' pictures to their friends to the UK and "most countries" has drawn flak from users over privacy concerns. The social media service admitted that it "should have been more clear with people during the roll-out process when this became available to them."

Omnicom Media Group Asia-Pacific has dropped the word 'digital' from its corporate vocabulary, replacing it with 'platforms' as part of a region-wide initiative. The change in terminilogy was made to reflect the media network's increased capabilities across platforms such as search engine optimisation, social media and mobile.

A letter circulating on Facebook from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) suggests that certain file sharing websites may soon be blocked in the country. The letter's authenticity however has yet to be determined.

Singapore, on the other hand, has declared that it will not be denying access to '.xxx' websites that are expected to go live this year. Content regulator the Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore and internet service providers say they have no plans to block websites bearing the '.xxx' suffix, designated for sites run by the adult industry.

Telecommunications corporation ATI Vietnam has selected TBWA Vietnam as its marketing partner following a lengthy pitch with six other agencies. ATI has engaged TBWA for its consumer push as the company enters the consumer-facing market, moving beyond its current portfolio of network solutions products.