groupon

Groupon updates rules on mobile tracking, data sharing

Groupon sent out e-mails to its users this weekend about changes it has made to its privacy statement and terms of use.

Among the most notable changes is more information about the Chicago-based social buying start-up's collection and use of mobile location information.

Said Groupon:

"In short, if you use a Groupon mobile app and you allow sharing through your device, Groupon may collect geo-location information from the device and use it for marketing deals to you (and for other purposes listed in the "How Groupon Uses Personal Information" section of the Updated Privacy Statement)." … Read more

LivingSocial eying $1 billion IPO, report says

Daily-deals provider LivingSocial could be nearing an initial public offering, Reuters is reporting.

Citing anonymous sources, Reuters says LivingSocial is currently in talks with investment banks to launch an IPO valued at $1 billion. The news service's sources say that at a $1 billion IPO, LivingSocial's valuation would range between $10 billion and $15 billion.

Earlier this month, daily-deals market leader Groupon announced its own IPO plans that could see the company raise $750 million on a valuation of between $15 billion and $20 billion.

Those moves toward an IPO aren't all that surprising. As of late, … Read more

How to quickly filter your online daily deals

It seems like a new daily deal Web site like Groupon, LivingSocial, or Facebook Deals arrives weekly, opening your e-mail inbox to endless frugal deals--$9 for two Fandango tickets, anyone?

But before you know you it, you've signed up for a dozen hyper-local deal sites, which in theory could save you a lot of money. Instead, however, you consistently wake up to a plethora of money-saving deals, leaving your more important e-mails buried (and your wallet a little lighter).

Luckily, there's a way to reap the benefits of daily deals without cluttering your inbox. Here's what … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1482: iCloud details, LulzSec strikes again, and USA rules at cupcakes (Podcast)

On today's show, we discover that Sony may have stored more than 1 million user emails and passwords in clear text, which LulzSec happily took advantage of. Also, the Gmail hack may have targeted White House employees who were using their Gmail accounts for official off-books government business. And iCloud might only stream iTunes purchases at launch which, if true, would be a massive bummer. We'll see. --Molly

Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (640x360) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS (640x360)… Read more

Windows 8 to go mobile (week in review)

Microsoft's next operating system is going to attempt to elevate a mobile OS to the desktop.

Code-named "Windows 8" by Microsoft, the next-generation OS is also expected to be touch-friendly and work seamlessly on tablets, desktops, and laptops. Microsoft gave an early demonstration of the new look and capability of Windows 8 at the D9 conference.

The development platform is based on HTML5 and JavaScript. Any applications created for a touch (tablet) interface can also work with a mouse and keyboard. There's also an option for a split virtual keyboard for typing on a tablet.

The … Read more

This Day in Tech: Groupon IPO, Sony sites hacked, Twitter sex scandal

Too busy to keep up with the tech news? Here are some of the more interesting stories from CNET News for Thursday, June 2.

At D9, Windows 8 makes debut, and more (roundup) The gathering of tech CEOs and other bigwigs also puts the spotlight on Twitter's new photo-sharing service, Google's social-networking efforts, HP's WebOS ambitions, and then some. More

Zuckerberg calls Facebook contract a 'fraud' New York man's alleged contract and e-mails that supposedly give him 50 percent ownership of the social network are forgeries, new court filing from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims. More… Read more

But, wait--Amazon has daily deals now too!

Whatever anyone can do, Amazon can do, too. Groupon is filing for an IPO and creating new jobs for salespeople in just about every city on earth; Google Offers debuted this week; and I hear there might even be a few other daily deal services out there. So naturally, Amazon wants in on the action. The company that offers... well, everything, is now offering offers as well through AmazonLocal.

The service seems to follow the same model as those of rivals like Groupon, where subscribers to a daily e-mail can purchase a voucher that offers savings on local goods and … Read more

Groupon files its IPO papers

Groupon, helping to blow more air into the growing tech bubble, filed today for an initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The daily-deals company says it wants to raise $750 million and has hired Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, and Goldman Sachs as its bankers. That number can, and often does, change from the first IPO filing papers. And Groupon did not include information about the number of shares it intends to sell, which would give a valuation for the company itself. Some reports say Groupon could be valued at between $20 billion and $25 billion.

By comparison, … Read more

Groupon Now brings hourly deals to SF, NY

Google may have launched its first daily deal offering in Portland, Ore., yesterday, but Groupon is fighting back one city at a time, with a spin on the model it popularized.

Groupon Now, which rolled out in San Francisco and New York yesterday and launched in Chicago two weeks ago, follows the formula of Groupon's original online daily deal but shrinks the timeline. Instead of having 24 hours to purchase a perk and months to use it, you'll now have hours to both buy the deal and cash it in.

The premise is simple. After entering your location … Read more