I’ve run websites with millions of monthly visitors, built mobile apps with hundreds of thousands of downloads, created online learning communities with over half a million registered users, and eaten a 24-oz peppercorn steak in one glorious sitting.

I’ve led product management, spoken internationally at conferences all over the world, blogged for over a decade, and built my own CMS. I live in Vancouver, Canada, play ice hockey, and subscribe to the VentureBeat statement of ethics.

FOR PR REPS:
I primarily cover Apple for VentureBeat. In addition, I also cover greentech and marketing technology.

As a PR pro, you’re totally aware that my inbox is totally flooded. If I don’t answer, it’s not because I’m rude, hate you, or just plain evil. At least, generally not. Short is most definitely sweet, and please keep pitches to my beats, unless we know each other.

stories by John Koetsier

WhatRunsWhere launches first in-app Android ad spy to show who’s buying mobile ads (and where)

Brands, how would you like to know exactly where and when your competitors advertise? Publishers, how would you like to know exactly which brands are advertising at competing publications -- and who sold them those ads?

Samsung triples sales in China to claim top spot for the first time

China is a top strategic market for Apple. But Samsung claimed the country's smartphone title in 2012 for the first time, according to new data released over the weekend.

Google patents your useless four fingers

When you're holding your mobile phone in one hand, you generally have a thumb on the front for scrolling, typing, and tapping, and four fingers clamped more or less uselessly around the edge. But perhaps not for long.

Facebook’s new actions let you run, walk, and read — and make Facebook more money

Facebook's database of you, your friends, and the entire world is going grow as a result, as will the degree of intelligence built into the social network. And yes, so will Facebook's monetization options.

Google’s awesome ‘Field Trip’ app launches for Apple’s iPhone

Google already has five of the six most popular apps in America, with Google Maps, Search, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Play. But that is apparently not enough for the search-and-mobile-and-everything giant.

Apple gets spanked by yet another judge in iPhone location/privacy suit

“Luckily for the plaintiffs, Apple has provided more than enough evidence itself to suggest to the court that it has not fully complied with the court’s order,” Grewal wrote. “In light of Apple’s performance in this case, the court cannot rely on its representations that this time it really has or will produce all responsive documents.”

Advertisers and marketers should love Facebook’s new feed — but they better refocus on being awesome

Facebook just released its new news feed and marketers should be happy: Facebook is providing a rich canvas on which to display their wares. But it'll be best for social marketing experts.

1 billion daily product recommendations driving ‘multiple billions’ in sales for RichRelevance clients

A billion product recommendations a day is a significant milestone, and with 73 percent revenue growth and 43 percent customer growth in the past year to go with it, RichRelevance is hiring a new president to help increase growth.

Marissa Mayer’s 6-month bonus from Yahoo: $1,000,000

In six months under Mayer, Yahoo's stock price has jumped from $15 to $23, adding over $17 billion in market value to the still-slumbering purple giant.

Path 3: The leading private social network gets more personal, more human, and more money

Path has always taken a different ... trail. So it's no surprise that the private social network is laying down new tracks in an attempt to make digital communication more human.

‘World first’ internet-enabled his-and-hers virtual love toys shipping March 29

The "world's first internet-enabled sex toy" is shipping at the end of the month. Soon, Zeus and Hera will be able to satisfy and be satisfied, even when continents apart.

Happy birthday to you: Free stuff from Google for your Android phone

Google Play turned one today, and in honor of the birthday, Google is celebrating by giving gifts. Gifts for you, that is, and your Android device.

The vultures are out as Carl Icahn buys about 6% of Dell

Remember what Michael Dell said when he was asked back in 1997 -- when Steve Jobs returned to Apple -- what he'd do if he were Jobs?

"I'd shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders."

WordPress.com testing promoted posts with iReach, a PR Newswire company

Automattic, the company behind Wordpress.com and its 3.6 billion monthly pageviews, is testing a new native advertising monetization option with its massive blogging community: promoted posts.

Xbox Kinect’s upcoming midair multitouch is gunning for you, Leap Motion

Microsoft Research is always working on cool new features, and based on a video Microsoft just released, it seems clear that the next version of Kinect will be able to better recognize hands, hand positioning, and hand gestures, effectively letting you control your Xbox -- and your PC -- with just the equipment god gave you, right out of the box.

Suck it up, Marissa: Working from home just grew 35%

The latest U.S. census data says that working from home for at least one day a week grew 34 percent, and this comes just a couple of weeks after CEO Marissa Mayer famously killed Yahoo's telecommuting policy.

The 21 ways Google makes money from mobile (infographic)

Google had its first $50 billion year in 2012. With its massive investments in mobile, someday it might make that much just on the little plastic and metal devices we carry in our pockets. Here's how.