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Apple's new iPad hits the streets

week in review Eager iPad shoppers mobbed stores around the world in hopes of getting their hands on Apple's next-generation tablet, which is already sold out online.

Wal-Mart's 24-hour stores in the U.S. got the jump on Apple by selling the tablet a full eight hours before Apple stores even opened. There was limited supply, however. For example, dozens of people lined up at a Wal-Mart in Union City, Calif., which had 40 iPads to sell. And many left disappointed.

At Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York City, hundreds of iPad fans waited in the … Read more

Gazelle ups iPad 2 trade-in price, but better deals can be had

iPad 2 owners looking to unload their tablets will find some tempting offers online.

Online buying site Gazelle is now offering the following deals for iPad 2 owners aiming to cash in their tablets:

iPad 2 Wi-Fi (16GB) - $260 iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (16GB) - $275 iPad 2 Wi-Fi (32GB) - $290 iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (32GB) - $320 iPad 2 Wi-Fi (64GB) - $300 iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (64GB) - $370 for AT&T and $450 for Verizon.

These prices are for iPad 2 tablets in "flawless" condition, meaning no noticeable defects or scratches, no … Read more

Paltalk offers all-in-one communications

Paltalk Messenger streamlines communication by putting instant messages, video chats, voice calls, and SMS all into a single user interface. While it may not be the most user-friendly program out there, it's certainly one of the more powerful.

If you've used an IM client like Trillian or Pidgin, then Paltalk's interface should feel familiar, with its vertical towerlike orientation, list of contacts, and status bar. The difference is that Paltalk does a lot more than those programs do--which is good. So, in addition to the typical IM contact list, there's a Chat Room panel, as well … Read more

PayPal takes on Square with credit-card swiping device

SAN FRANCISCO--When a startup attracts a giant competitor, it's both a concern and a compliment.

And this morning, PayPal confirmed that it's taking on Square, the San Francisco-based startup whose core business is a device that lets a merchant or individual accept credit cards though a cell phone.

PayPal, a unit of eBay, today released a blue triangle device that plugs into the headphone jack of a smartphone. It's called PayPal Here.

President and CEO of eBay John Donahoe opened up the event at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, a location chosen because it's a place … Read more

Rumor Has It, Ep. 24: Google's gunning for iPad, with Asus' help (podcast)

I am writing this blog post from under my desk, because I am too embarrassed to face my esteemed colleagues after the stunt we pulled today. We play the most embarrassing Internet video yet. Starring moi. I have been blushing a deep purple ever since, and because I may now be notorious in downtown San Francisco as that crazy girl in front of the Apple store, I have decided to wear a disguise in public at all times. Guys, it's mortifying. Go watch it.

But--sweet relief!--with the new iPad no longer on our rumor roster, we get down … Read more

PayPal to launch redesigned digital wallet this spring

PayPal introduced a redesigned digital wallet at SXSW 2012 in Austin on Tuesday, which is promised to launch this spring.

Some of PayPal's new digital wallet amenities go beyond just payments, but rather reinforce the platform as a one-stop shop for mobile commerce in general.

For example, users will be able to create personal lists for different shopping situations as well as create budgets by purchase amounts and other metrics.

Then there are a lot of other features that carry over from PayPal's browser platform such as being able to switch from one funding source stored in your … Read more

PayPal to launch mobile payments dongle?

PayPal is expected to launch a mobile payment dongle that would allow small businesses to process credit card transactions with a smartphone, according to a GigaOm report.

The dongle, expected to be unveiled at an event Thursday in San Francisco, would put the payment processor in competition with Square, Verifone, and Intuit, sources close to the matter told the blog.

PayPal representatives declined to comment on the report but confirmed the company plans to make a product announcement Thursday.

"While we cannot comment on rumors and speculation, what we can tell you is that at the PayPal event on … Read more

WePay has big 2011, still hopes for 'balls to the wall' 2012

Most companies would be happy with 1,000 percent growth in one 12-month period. At the online payments company WePay, they're shooting for back-to-back years like that.

Late this evening, WePay released a set of statistics showing that it had a very good 2011. Among the most notable figures was that the Palo Alto, Calif., company hit the 1,000 percent growth mark in revenue, users, and total payment volume.

And according to co-founder and COO Rich Aberman, WePay believes it can hit those same milestones in 2012.

That the company feels so bullish should come as no surprise. … Read more

MegaUpload ripped off YouTube, tried smearing rivals, U.S. says

Kim DotCom and MegaUpload helped fill out the cyberlocker's video library in 2006 by snatching videos from the then-fledgling YouTube, the U.S. government alleges.

The U.S. Justice Department is trying to extradite DotCom and three other MegaUpload managers from New Zealand and have accused them of piracy, money laundering, and racketeering.

Buried in the January 5 indictment against MegaUpload, DotCom, and six other employees of the cyberlocker service, are e-mail communications between two managers, Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk, from April 2006.

"Do we have a server available to continue downloading of the Youtube'… Read more