Virgin founder Richard Branson is launching a digital magazine made for the Apple iPad. The publication is expected to be called “Project.” This news arrives shortly after Rupert Murdoch announced that News Corp. is launching a digital newspaper for the iPad called “The Daily.” Project will have news that entertainment, travel, business, designer, and international culture news. The official announcement is expected to take place at a press event in New York City next Tuesday. [AFP]

Virgin America is partnering with Twitter analytics service Klout to determine who some of the most influential Twitter users in Toronto are.  Those influential Toronto Twitter users will be given free flights.

Virgin Mobile will introduce a Novatel MiFi router next week according to Gearlog.  The Virgin Mobile MiFi turns a 3G signal into a WiFi hotspot for up to five devices and it will be completely prepaid.  The device will cost $149 and then run for about $10 (100MB) or $60 (5GB).  Virgin has the full data chart on their website.  Personally I’m excited for this because I plan to take a huge road trip later this summer and don’t want to get locked into any contracts for MiFi. The Virgin Mobile MiFi will be available at Radio Shack, Best Buy, and online starting June 28th. [Gearlog]

AOL sent out a press release today stating that Virgin Media has joined the Open Mobile initiative set up by Bebo, the social network that was acquired for $850 million in March 2008.  The Open Mobile initiative is a way for mobile operators, developers, and manufacturing companies to build mobile versions of the Bebo social networks with their brand on it.

As part of the agreement, Virgin will be creating the Bebo Open Mobile Internet website with Virgin’s brand on it and they will also be putting bookmarks for Bebo on the pre-releases of their devices.  Virgin customers will be able to easily access Bebo’s mobile services right out of the box.

“Virgin Media’s decision to embed Bebo in their customer experience plays to both of our strengths and joins two great brands. In partnership with Virgin Media, we will be able to deliver great mobile content to more users in the UK,” stated Sean Kane, VP of Mobile at AOL People Networks.

[via gomonews]

Virgin Mobile’s Dan Schulman CEO stated at the Mobile Virtual Network Operator that the company plans to introduce a new line of touch-screen phones in the near future. Schulman did not give any specifics on when they would unleash the touch-screen, but stated that they stayed out of that market before since many consumers cannot afford these devices.

“Things like value and flexibility are moving to the forefront,” stated Schulman. “I think the economy is helping people to appreciate our model.”

Schulman believes that even though the iPhone and BlackBerry phones are getting a lot of attention, they still only account for 20% of the phones sold.  This would be a very different move for Virgin because they are used to selling prepaid phone services.  Last year Virgin acquired Helio, a struggling entertainment mobile virtual network operator company.

“It wouldn’t shock me to see more pricing pressure coming into the industry,” added Schulman.

[via PCW]

Virgin Fired 13 employees who were part of a Facebook group that criticized the airline and its passengers. The 13 employees supposedly spent most of their time on Facebook.

The staff members bashed the airline’s maintenance records on Facebook. They also criticized passenger hygiene. They called some passengers smelly and annoying.

People with half a brain should know that social networks are public. Your digital footprint does disappear. Whether you put drunken party pictures up or criticize your employer, your social network life will catch up to your real life.

Source: Register