Google is making a step out of the digital-only world by providing Gmail users with a nice service, which enables them to make phone calls to people, who are away from their computers. Previously, to make a call both of the sides had to be signed into Gmail at the same time, but starting yesterday, August 26, people from the US can call any fixed or mobile phone directly from the inbox.

Social networking is king in 2010. I realized the level of saturation online networking sites are achieving after I received a Facebook friend request from my 71-year-old mother earlier this year. In fact, Facebook has more than 500 million active visitors, and Twitter has exceeded 100 million. And while most of us use these sites for chatting with friends and sharing our latest ‘cute kid’ photos, the gap between screen and shelf is getting smaller by the minute.

This summer, Chiquita is asking consumers to decide, what ‘faces’ the company’s bananas will feature. Designers from all around the globe were asked to upload their own variations of labels, or create them on the website, through July 18. Now there’s time to choose the best consumer-created designs that will grace the company’s iconic blue sticker on millions of Chiquita bananas in the US.

Hyundai is continuing its «Uncensored» campaign by inviting 50 drivers to test drive the all-new 2011 Sonata for 30 days in exchange for their uncensored opinions, which they are expected to share via Hyundai’s social media channels, including the Hyundai Facebook page. The chosen participants are compensated with an HD Flip Cam to document their experience, a $250 gas card and $500 spending cash.

The Quaker Oats Company, a division of PepsiCo, announced a broad new direction for growth focused on products and programs to help people lead healthier lifestyles. The nation’s breakfast authority for more than 130 years will introduce two new hot cereal varieties and improvements for its instant oatmeal nationwide this week and will launch an integrated US marketing and ad to motivate Americans to rethink the question: «Does Your Breakfast Make You Amazing?«