Apple Discounts iPhone 3GS to $49

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Cupertino, Calif. – Apple (NASD: AAPL) has dropped the price on its
iPhone 3GS to just $49, following a similar move by carrier partner AT&T (NYSE: T).
Wired notes that purchasers of the discounted iPhone 3GS will be tied to a
two-year contract with the device on AT&T’s network.

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4dvcw4x

(Wired)

AOL Names Stephen Bromberg Executive Editor of AOL.com

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New York – Taking another step to boost its in-house content
offerings, AOL (NYSE: AOL) on Monday named former Fox News editor Stephen Bromberg as the
executive editor of AOL.com. The move comes more than two months after the
company relaunched its AOL.com homepage, featuring more video as well as both
original and sourced content.

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4shp5vz

PBS Launches New iPhone, iPad Apps

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Alexandria, Va. – PBS said on Monday it has launched a PBS
app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, featuring more than 300 hours of free
video, including full-length programs. It also has launched an “Antiques
Roadshow” game app, which lets players virtually collect, appraise and bid on
real antiques. Both are available through Apple’s App Store.

 

Related Links:
http://to.pbs.org/pbsiphone

http://to.pbs.org/antiquesapp

"World of Warcraft: Cataclysm" Sells 4.7 Million in First Month

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Irvine, Calif. – Video game publisher Activision Blizzard (NASD: ATVI)
announced on Monday that "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm," the third
expansion pack for its massively multiplayer online roleplaying game, sold more
than 4.7 million copies during its first month of release — a new record for
monthly PC game sales. Before the launch of the expansion, the game counted
over 12 million players globally.

 
Related Links:

http://www.blizzard.com/games/cataclysm

Korean Director Shoots Half-Hour Film on iPhone

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Seoul, South Korea – Noted South Korean director Park
Chan-wook ("Old Boy," Thirst") has released a new half-hour
movie shot entirely using Apple’s iPhone, the Associated Press reports.
"Paranmanjang" was shot for $133,000 on several iPhone 4s, and is
slated for theatrical release in Korea on Jan. 27.

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4h6kxsl

(AP)

Groupon Closes Massive $950 Million Funding Round

1

Chicago – Groupon, the provider of online "daily
deals" group buying offers in more than 500 markets, has closed a new $950
million round of financing, TechCrunch reported. Investors in the round
included DST, Fidelity, Morgan Stanley, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers,
Andreessen Horowitz, Battery Ventures, Greylock Partners, Maverick
Capital, Silver Lake Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures.

Launched in
2008, Chicago-based Groupon now offers some 650 daily deals globally, and works
with 58,000 local businesses.

In 2010, the company increased its reach to 500
markets from 30, and grew its subscriber base from 2 million to over 50 million
(2,500%).

"We’re thrilled that Groupon has earned the confidence of some
of the world’s most respected investment firms," said Groupon founder and
CEO Andrew Mason.

"With their support, we will continue on our mission to
change the way people shop locally and serve the world’s local businesses."


*Correction: Groupon issued a corrected press release indicating that Mail.ru Group did not participate in the round, as it had previously stated.

 

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/48dbcgw

(TechCrunch)

http://www.groupon.com

Foodspotting Gets $3M for Restaurant Dish Recommendations

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San Francisco – Foodspotting, the developers of a Web
service and mobile application that lets users upload photos of favorite dishes
at particular restaurants, has closed a $3 million, first round of funding led
by BlueRun Ventures.

Founded in 2009, San Francisco-based Foodspotting focuses
on positive restaurant meal reviews and recommendations, and has so far logged
550,000 downloads of its iPhone application.

The company previously raised
$750,000 in July 2010, from backers including Felicis Ventures, 500 Startups,
High Line Venture Partners, Zelkoba Ventures and 2020 Ventures.

 

Related Links:
http://www.foodspotting.com

Square Secures $27.5 Million for Mobile Payments Service

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San Francisco – Mobile payments service Square has raised
$27.5 million in a new round of funding led by Sequoia Capital, All Things D
reported.

Previous investor Khosla Ventures also participated in the round,
which puts a new valuation of around $240 million on the company.

Founded in
2009, San Francisco-based offers a service that lets anyone take mobile
payments on an iPhone via a free dongle that attaches to the smartphone to
swipe credit cards.

While the service is free and does not require a contract, Square
collects 2.75% plus 15 cents per transaction.

 

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/4hosgrc

(All Things D)

https://squareup.com

Stolen iTunes Accounts on Sale at Chinese Auction Site TaoBao

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Los Angeles – Some 50,000 fraudulent Apple (NASD:  AAPL) iTunes Store accounts,
linked to stolen credit cards, are currently on sale at TaoBao, an online
auction site based in China, according to published reports.

Sellers are
encouraging buyers of the purloined accounts to use them within 24 hours of
purchase — before the owner of the hacked account realizes what has happened,
and takes steps to cancel the credit card associated with the account.

Prices for the hacked iTunes
accounts range from 1 yuan (15 cents) to 200 yuan ($30).

The BBC reports that TaoBao
is aware of the iTunes account sales on its website, but said it cannot remove
them until it receives a complaint.

“Until we receive a valid takedown
request, we cannot take action,” TaoBao told the BBC.

 

 

Related Links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12127603

http://tinyurl.com/4kcx74h
(Global Times)