Posted by Ryan Faughnder

For Marketplace, Mon., Aug. 15, 2011

Google’s purchase of Motorola Mobility could be a big step forward for Android phones. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Marketplace’s Steve Henn about what it means. So much for “manic Monday” in the stock market. Today’s theme is mergers. Is this a sign of economic optimism? Economics professor Justin Wolfers and Lords of Finance author Liaquat Ahamed give us their assessment of what’s going on in the economy. Undocumented workers will be affected by immigration bills recently passed in several states. Gustavo Arellano offers his commentary, based on his own experience hiring workers. Eve Troeh explains what the markets have to do with the actual economy and confidence. And Sasha Strauss tells us why it matters what we call this recession. Or is it a depression? Or is it something else?

Here are the songs we played today:

• Paper Planes (DFA Remix) – M.I.A.Buy

• Heart Of Glass – Apollo BrownBuy

• Moonshine – MatlockBuy

• Hold On – NicolayBuy

• Politician – Aloe BlaccBuy