groupon

If, as seems to be likely to happen, Google acquires daily-deals site Groupon at a multibillion-dollar valuation, it'll leave a very different market for this new and trendy form of e-commerce.

There are hundreds of other sites that do more or less the same thing; some are big, some are small. But under Google ownership, Groupon would have access to significantly better strategic resources, not to mention the Google text ads for which other companies have to shell out cash. It's already the market leader. Conceivably, Google could help it get even bigger.

So what might happen to … Read more

Amid rumors that it's about to be acquired by Google for an arguably ridiculous valuation, daily-deals company Groupon announced today the expansion of a Silicon Valley office and the acquisition of an advertising and commerce company called Ludic Labs. A price was not disclosed; always one for mocking the Valley rumor mill, Groupon CEO Andrew Mason put a "no comment" statement in his company's own press release and called the whole thing "rumors and speculation."

The Palo Alto, Calif.-based office has currently been housing some 25 employees who work on data and mobile … Read more

On today's show, once the amazing Benito finally gets the studio in working order, we break down the Level 3 and Comcast battle--no matter how you slice it, it's still very, very, VERY bad for the Web. VERY. Also, Cyber Monday proves, once more, that marketing works. And NASA is apparently set to announce that aliens are walking among us. And we're just buying the Playboy hard drive collection for the storage. --Molly

Our apologies to the listeners who waited patiently for us to fix the live stream this morning--CNET Live has a brand new layout and we're still working things out, so thanks for your patience and understanding!

Today's topics include a new generation of Four Loko alternatives, social-networking shoes, and Wilson's struggle to jam a big tip into a small ear canal.

New manufacturers are springing to life to fill the void left by Four Loko and Sparks, and one of them infuses alcohol into an aerosol spray of whipped cream. It's called Whipped Lightning, and it's the newest way to get alcohol poisoning thanks to its 30-proof, 15 percent alcohol content.

But if you really want to end up in a hospital, try whipping it onto a glass of 40-proof chocolate milk, the new newest Four Loko substitute coming soon to Minnesota, California, and Arizona.

Remember the Boba Fett Adidas sneakers we first saw on our buddy Peter Ha's feet back in September? Those looked pretty cool, but check out these new concept designs for a new pair of Adidas Superstars designed to look like Facebook and Twitter.

Luckily they're only concepts (for now), but with fools paying more than $1,000 for an official Facebook hoodie, it's not hard to imagine them arriving at Foot Locker in the near future. And while you're there, be sure to look in the clearance bin for The 404 Adidas Superstars as well. Thanks for the image Ddawg!

Tune in after the break as we advise Wilson how to properly insert the tip of an in-ear headphone like the Monster Turbine into his tiny canals. Be afraid--it's just as terrifying as it sounds.

According to sources close to the situation, Google has offered $5.3 billion for Groupon, in what would be its largest acquisition yet if completed.

Sources said the deal for the Chicago-based social buying site seemed likely to be struck, even as early as today, although it certainly could fall apart right up to the end.

But, if done, it will move the search giant instantly to the top spot in local commerce online and give it huge troves of data about consumer buying habits and merchant information across the globe.

Combined with its pending $700 million acquisition of ITA Software, … Read more

What happens when you throw a bunch of Chicago comedians into a complex of Silicon Valley engineers? Hilarity, maybe. Or one of the more unusual M&A gossip yarns of the past few years.

There's loads of talk right now about whether group-buying coupon service Groupon will sell to a big buyer or will hold out as an independent company in the hopes that it may become the world's leading name in local-business advertising. The barrage of rumors over Groupon is an interesting one--Yahoo wants it! Yahoo loses it! Google may be willing to fork over $4 … Read more

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

Amazon now lets you gift Kindle books

Groupon launches Grouponicus, a daily holiday deal site

PayPal wants you to charge your PayPal account with the touch of a button on your TV remote

Steve Jobs and Apple may be working directly with News Corp. to launch The Daily, an iPad-only reader application

Facebook blocks certain links in its new messaging system

According to multiple sources close to the situation, Google is in discussions with local-deals powerhouse Groupon about buying it.

Without making the requisite joke about the deal of the day, sources said the price being considered is certainly no discount-well above the $2 billion to $3 billion that Yahoo offered Groupon in acquisition talks that took place earlier this year.

But sources cautioned that the talks are not complete, and could also end up without any result, as the Yahoo discussions did.

In an e-mail, a Google spokesperson said with some style: "Per usual, we don't comment on … Read more

SAN FRANCISCO--The company hasn't said much about it yet, but Yahoo today announced that it will be diving into the hyped daily-deals market with a "Local Offers" program that aggregates content from the likes of Groupon and LivingSocial.

The announcement--made in conjunction with the Web 2.0 Summit conference where CEO Carol Bartz is slated to speak later in the day--explained that the former search giant, still trying to figure out a sense of direction, plans to build "one of the largest and most comprehensive repositories of local offers on the Internet." It's launching … Read more