In today’s NewsDesk roundup: Yahoo! announced new flagship iOS app; Netflix shares soaring high; Startups alive with big funding; Apple expected to post declining profits; Nokia wins injunction on HTC One; Grooveshark app booted from both Apple and Google app stores; Google chairman announces Google Glass public release for 2014; Microsoft resurrects Start button for Windows 8; Hungry Xbox 360 owners can now order food via the Pizza Hut app.

Yahoo! announced new flagship iOS app

CEO Marissa Mayer recently announced a new flagship Yahoo iOS app. The app condenses news stories using technology from Summly, the startup it acquired less than a month ago. The speed with which Summly technology was integrated into Yahoo’s core app demonstrates the strategic nature of Mayer’s decision to purchase it.

Netflix shares soaring high

Investors are smiling now that Netflix can claim the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 this year, being up 97% in 2013.  Netflix is just reaching the 30 million subscriber mark, thanks to a first-quarter boost of three million new subscribers, passing up main competitor HBO who is close behind at 29 million. With households watching an average of eighty-seven minutes of Netflix content a day, it’s no surprise that Time Warner has hinted about a future where HBO GO is sold directly to consumers.

Startups alive with big funding

Eventbrite, an online event registration tool was at the brink of an IPO before raising a healthy $60 Million in funding by private investors. Kik, the popular mobile messaging app, also saw a hefty chunk of cash coming their way, with nearly $20 Million raised just yesterday. Other big investment winners include companies like Vid-yo, Giz-mox, Upstart, Nanigans and Kred-i-tech, who all received nearly $40 Million combined. To put it plainly, companies simply don’t want to repeat Facebook’s disappointing IPO, so they’re finding money elsewhere.

Apple expected to post declining profits

Apple devices are losing their prominence, and the ripples caused by the shift are affecting several of its production partners. Declining sales of its smaller displays are due, in large part, to the decline of Apple, one of its largest customers. Analysts are predicting that Apple’s quarterly earnings, which will be posted later today, will show the company’s first decline in profit in a decade.

Nokia wins injunction on HTC One

The Amsterdam District Court today, granted Nokia’s request for a preliminary injunction against the supply of microphone components invented by and manufactured exclusively for Nokia to competitor HTC. The legal battle involves a pair of high-amplitude mics housed within the HTC-One, which are apparently the same that Nokia used in its recent Lumia seven-twenty. The issue seems to have come from the breach of a non-disclosure-agreement Nokia had with it’s microphone manufacturer ST Electronics.

Grooveshark app booted from both Apple and Google app stores

Grooveshark’s mobile app was booted from both the Google Play Store, and Apple’s App Store. They faced lawsuits from each of the four major music labels, simultaneously. With increased competition in the music space, they lost about two-thirds of their monthly user audience. Now, the streaming music company is turning things around. After its big court win over Universal, its now in talks with the other music labels. New features, such as its user generated radio station broadcasts, and the ability to record thirty-second interludes that play between songs, have helped Grooveshark differentiate itself from competitors.

Google chairman announces Google Glass public release for 2014

CEO Eric Schmidt went back on Google’s promise to release the wearable computer before the end of the year, stating their Christmas goal was simply too soon. After being asked when we can expect to see Glass, Schmidt revealed Google’s target release as sometime in spring of 2014, citing product development as the biggest reason for the delay. Product changes will largely be based upon feedback from the thousands of developers who managed to get their hands on the device, so any changes are likely to benefit the device in one way or another.

Microsoft resurrects Start button for Windows 8

In response to the overwhelmingly negative reaction for Windows 8, Microsoft will be bringing back the dearly missed Start Button. In addition, Windows 8.1 will also have the option to boot directly to the desktop, as opposed to the current touch-screen based interface it uses now. Curiously, despite bringing back the start button, Microsoft will not bring back the start menu. Rather, the button will link to the very same touch-screen environment that many believe to be the problem.

Hungry Xbox 360 owners can now order food via the Pizza Hut app

With the new Xbox 360 Pizza Hut app, hungry gamers can now order pizza without stepping away from the game console. Gamers can use their preferred input method to build their customized pizza and place an order. An Xbox spokesman confirmed that the Pizza Hut app is compatible with the Xbox Kinect sensor, and the hand gestures and voice commands that many users prefer to using a controller.