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An Apple patent application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday describes an intelligent magnetic attachment system that provides an interface for an iPad to connect and communicate with a variety of accessory devices, including other iPads. Apple’s patent for a “Magnetic attachment unit” has a basis in the keyed magnetic mechanism Continue Reading →

It wasn’t just an unnamed Engadget editor who got a rash after using the Fitbit Force. Turns out, the fitness band has been causing lots of people skin irritation. So many, in fact, that the company is halting sales of the product, and has issued a voluntary recall for units already sold. In a statement, Continue Reading →

Amazon.com is in talks to bring listings for J. Crew khakis, Ralph Lauren polo shirts and Lord & Taylor suits to its site, according to people familiar with the talks. The discussions, which seek to win over retailers that have largely shunned the online marketplace, involve about 10 well-known retailers, these people said, including Abercrombie Continue Reading →

Facebook will no longer limit who can view the accounts of its deceased members. Until now, Facebook would change the privacy settings on a deceased person’s account — known as a “memorial account” — so that only their friends could view the page. But going forward, Facebook will leave privacy settings as the account’s owner Continue Reading →

Comcast and Netflix appear to have resolved their differences over network peering, which has frustrated many Netflix users over the last few months with slow, intermittent service as a result of the dispute over the business of interconnecting networks. Bryan Berg, a co-founder of App.net, has posted Github a traceroute of traffic between Netflix and Continue Reading →

We have seen the future of flight — and it does not include windows. The latest idea for a supersonic business jet from Spike Aerospace involves replacing cabin portholes with windowless display screens showing a fake view. Claustrophobes, take note. “Cameras surrounding the entire aircraft will construct breathtaking panoramic views displayed on the cabin screens,” Continue Reading →

Amazon is gearing up to take on Apple and Roku, again. Industry sources say Amazon is getting ready to launch a Web TV box that would compete with Apple TV and Roku’s line of products, which make it easy to move video from the Internet onto your TV. People I’ve talked to who are partnering Continue Reading →

Google is focusing its shopping efforts. After purchasing Canadian startup Bufferbox back in 2012, the company has decided to shut down the Amazon Locker-like service this April. Bufferbox let users ship items directly to publicly-accessible lockers — a convenient option for accepting deliveries if you can’t be home to sign for a package. When Google Continue Reading →

Groupon CEO Eric Lefkofsky has boldly proclaimed that he wants Groupon to eventually be the digital storefront where people start any online shopping trip. Now it seems Groupon may aspire to serve the same role for business owners. The deals company sent out an email this week to some of its merchants alerting them to Continue Reading →

Google on Friday announced that it has acquired Spider.io, a London-based cyber security firm that combats online advertising fraud. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although Google said it would be using the startup’s detection system to improve its display and video ad services. “By including Spider.io’s fraud fighting expertise in our products, we Continue Reading →