The stellar 2011 holiday season highlighted another record-setting trend - the staggering growth rate of mobile commerce. The IBM Benchmark December holiday report showed that sales from mobile devices doubled, reaching 11 percent versus 5.5 percent in December 2010.

Unfortunately, this impressive growth belies missed opportunities for e-tailers - industry analyst eMarketer reported that out of the nearly 56 million mobile users who shopped online in the U.S. in 2011, only about 27 million actually completed a purchase via a mobile device. The biggest reasons cited by consumers for the lack of mobile love? Clunky interfaces, tiny keyboards, and tedious checkouts.

The takeaway for online retailers who are wondering about investing in mobile optimization? Those who leverage mobile technology to offer a frictionless checkout and a truly satisfying mobile experience will be positioned to rack up big revenues in the next few years - and those who don't may miss out on what looks to be a very profitable 2012.

Over the last few weeks we've been working with PacSun to create an iPad app for them to debut at this year's US Open of surfing in Huntington Beach, California. The app allows the user to easily navigate to either watch PacSun related videos or to listen and download a free summer mix of jams from bands like: Young The Giant, Strange Talk, Little Hurricane and more...

Check out this set of photos on our flickr page before we packed up the iPads and sent them to the beach. You can also stop by the PacSun booth at the US Open of surfing going on in Huntington Beach until August 7th, to try out the app for yourself!

We’ve recently partnered with Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC Shoes to implement an exciting new feature that will transform the way you shop – The Denim Finder.

The Denim Finder helps you discover the perfect pair of jeans year round. By simply choosing your “FIT” and “WASH”, you are directed to your best matches. Also, be sure to check out the Lookbook and Videos section for fashion inspiration from team riders!

Interested in finding your perfect match this summer? Simply, CLICK HERE

Despite taking another medical leave of absence earlier this year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs surprised the crowd at a company event in San Francisco by taking the stage to unveil the iPad 2. Jobs, receiving a standing ovation, told the crowd that "we've been working on this product for awhile and I didn't want to miss today."

Proving that a Jobs appearance can be just as newsworthy as a Loch Ness monster sighting, Apple shares proceeded to climb as much as $4.63 to $353.94 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Thinking that the ravenous mobile app frenzy might be winding down any day now? Don't bet on it. Research firm Gartner reports that over 17.7 billion (yep, that's BILLION) apps will be downloaded in 2011 - more than double the 8.2 billion from 2010.

Including app purchasing and ads placed inside applications, revenue from mobile app stores is expected to surpass $15.1 billion globally this year alone.

Who's leading the mania with around 90% of app downloads in 2010? Yep, you guessed it.