walmart

Groupon gets into direct e-commerce with Groupon Goods

One size daily deals don't fit everyone--not even Groupon.

In an effort to diversify revenue and maintain its rapid growth, Groupon, which has temporarily shelved its $750 million public offering, is fast evolving its business model. Recently Groupon deals have gone mobile, real-time, and location aware.

Today's launch of "Groupon Goods," however, marks the company's most aggressive departure away from its core daily deal offers. With Groupon Goods, the Chicago based company seems to be moving into full-blown e-commerce. If fully realized, that would put the company, valued at $20 billion, head-to-head with online retail … Read more

Wal-Mart close to signing with UltraViolet

Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, is very close to becoming the first large merchant to sign up to adopt UltraViolet, the cloud-video platform, sources with knowledge of the talks told CNET.

Ultraviolet (UV) is a set of standards and specifications designed to make approved movies and TV shows play on a multitude of devices. The technology is supposed to lay the groundwork for the next generation of home-video distribution and be the battering ram that crashes into walled gardens--the efforts by some companies to lock up consumers into watching movies on their devices and their video service.

The plan … Read more

Vudu jumps to iPad, expands distribution

NEW YORK--Vudu is making itself available on iPad, a move that will help the streaming-video service expand distribution and keep pace with market leader Netflix.

Vudu said in a joint statement with parent company and retailing powerhouse Wal-Mart Stores that beginning tomorrow iPad owners can access Vudu through their browsers. That's right, this is not an app, so don't look for Vudu in Apple's App store.

Wal-Mart and Vudu said they have created a new "navigation experience" for iPad users who visit the service online. Through the new feature, iPad owners can rent or purchase … Read more

AT&T quietly releases Android-powered Sharp FX Plus

It's without much fanfare that we learned about AT&T's Sharp FX Plus, a rather entry-level Android 2.2 Froyo smartphone that has been available since July 30. Like the Sharp FX before it, the FX Plus is positioned as a messaging phone targeting the younger set. However, it does get an upgrade with Android, and a much rounder body that smooths over some of its predecessor's rough edges.

In addition to a virtual keyboard equipped with Swype, the Sharp FX Plus has a slide-out QWERTY for composing longer texts and messages. The handset supports AT&… Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1518: Daddy particles from the future (Podcast)

On today's show, Brian Tong offends nearly the entire Internet, so consider that fair warning. HTC is willing to negotiate with Apple, Google is willing to make it easier to get your account back if you're suspended for not using your real name on Google+, and Netflix is willing to lose a bunch of money this quarter in hopes of surviving beyond it.

Gaikai to stream game demos on Walmart.com

Cloud-gaming service Gaikai has signed a deal to offer streamed game demos on Walmart.com, VentureBeat reported yesterday.

Integrated into Walmart.com's Game Center retail page, Gaikai will let shoppers sample games for free to help them decide on a purchase. The service is not yet enabled on Walmart.com, but Gaikai CEO Dave Perry was quoted saying: "Over the next 12 months, when people see a video game on TV and want to try it out, they can be sure the fastest way will be on Wal-Mart's Web site."

It's also unclear whether Gaikai … Read more

Wal-Mart cuts iPhone 4 price to $147

With barely an hour to go until Apple's WWDC kicks off, Wal-Mart announced that it has cut the price of the 16GB iPhone 4 to $147 from $197.

This offer is good from now until June 30, and it applies to both the black and white models.

You'll need a new line of service from either AT&T or Verizon, plus the obligatory two-year contract. The offer is available only in "select stores," meaning you can't get it online. (Wal-Mart's site currently lists all iPhones as "out of stock.")

Why the … Read more

The 404 830: Where sorry does not put the crackers in our stomachs (podcast)

It's graduation time for college students, but today we're exploring an offer from Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel to give a $100,000 fellowship to students who drop out and start their own company. He argues that people under 20 can learn more useful real-world skills at a start-up than at a university, where they'll ultimately leave in massive debt.

We're also offering tips on how to shop at Costco, the dropping prices of external media cards, the return of The 404 Audio Draft in a new Web site Outloud.fm, life lessons to be learned from Adam Sandler's "Billy Madison," and a couple of rules for leaving a voice mail on our show.

Have a fun (and safe!) Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

The 404 Digest for Episode 830

Google Wallet debuts, PayPal sues. PayPal co-founder offers $100,000 fellowship to students to quit college. Kingmax unveils world's first 64GB microSD card. Follow Jeff, Justin, Wilson, and The 404 Podcast on Twitter!

Episode 830 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Google learns to Disco

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

Google launches a group-texting service called Disco

YouTube offers Create to help you edit other people's videos into your own

Google is reportedly working with Citigroup and MasterCard to launch mobile payments on Android devices

Intel is taking a crack at the smartphone market

Amazon.com may be looking to launch a cloud locker service that would host and stream all of your music, photos, movies, and books

Wal-Mart will give you a $100 credit for your old Nintendo DS if you want to buy a new 3DS

A new concept gadget … Read more

Report: AT&T already shipping iPad 2

In what may have been nothing more than a minor footnote to Friday's launch of Apple's iPad 2, shipping times on Apple's Web site quickly jumped from 3 to 5 business days to 2 to 3 weeks.

Interestingly, according to a report from AppleInsider, AT&T is already shipping iPad 2s to customers, with some expecting to see theirs as early as Monday.

As of the writing of this article, shipping times on Apple's Web site are 3 to 4 weeks for all models of the iPad 2. The photo below, from AppleInsider, shows the … Read more