gifts

Buy credits for Google Play from your browser

Google has added a feature that lets Google Play users top off their credit by simply visiting the Web version of the storefront. The move comes on the heels of the recent introduction of physical gift cards in various retail stores.

Scrolling to the bottom of the Google Play store, you can now click on a link that allows for credit refills in various denominations. It's possible to purchase credit in increments of $5, $10, $15, $25, and $50.

As of now, it's only possible to add to your own account, though I suspect we'll see gifting … Read more

Facebook survey says users don't want promoted posts

Most people won't pay for a promoted post, but they would shell out the cash to buy their friends a gift through Facebook, according to a report from brokerage firm Sterne Agee.

The report (posted below) was based on a survey that asked more than 750 Facebook users to weigh in on the social network's latest ideas for making money -- increased advertising in the form of sponsored stories, Facebook gifts, promoted posts, and a possible search engine.

Of the four potential moneymakers, promoted posts is the least likely to succeed, according to the survey. When this feature … Read more

eBay gives the world another Groupon

Thursday's CNET Update wants to make a deal:

eBay made headlines Wednesday with a dramatic redesign, but it's not out of the spotlight yet. Today's tech news roundup looks at eBay's Lifestyle Deals, a service similar to Groupon. It's being tested now in a few markets, including New York. Can you handle (or want) another Groupon clone? Is there room in this space for eBay? Share your daily deal experiences and thoughts with us via e-mail or in a 15-second Tout video.

This holiday, Fab expects you to flock to its mobile shopping app. The … Read more

Facebook spotlights Gifts on mobile with alerts

Users of the social network's Android app may notice birthday or celebration alerts popping up on top of their newsfeeds with a link to buy gifts.

This mobile promotion of Facebook Gifts, first noticed by TechCrunch, lets users click through a link to Facebook's gifting service. It's available through Android, and will be arriving on iOS in the coming weeks, according to a Facebook representative. For now, iOS users will also be able to see the notifications up top, but they won't be able to click through to purchase gifts.

As with the Facebook Gifts rollout on the Web, … Read more

Facebook COO: Search to harness the 'wisdom of friends'

While Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg wouldn't affirm whether or not Facebook could take on Google in the search arena, it's clear the social-networking giant thinks there's an untapped revenue stream in a social search product.

"I think people are surprised how much search is done on Facebook, you know, every day there's an enormous percentage of search. There's also a promise in the market that search could become more social that we don't think this has been met," she told CNBC this morning. "When you're looking for information, … Read more

Apple CEO says sorry for iOS 6 map mess

Friday's CNET Update is playing One Republic:

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said he was "extremely sorry" for the frustration felt by customers over the problems with iOS6 maps and vowed Apple will improve the new map program. In a statement, Cook said Apple fell short on its commitment to customers, and he suggests to use alternative apps in the meantime, like Bing, MapQuest and Waze.

The apology came as the iPhone 5 went on sale in 22 additional countries. It also went on sale at some regional U.S. carriers, including Cricket, which is offers it … Read more

Send your Facebook friends real gifts through their Timelines

Facebook rolled out a new gift-giving service today that lets its users buy real gifts for friends through the social network.

The gifts -- which include items like cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, a stuffed animal from Gund, or a digital gift card from Starbucks -- can be sent from a user's birthday reminders or from a friend's timeline. Other gifts, plucked from more than 100 retailer partners, include fresh flowers, a bacon of the month club, and an Uber cab ride.

It's a big step for Facebook, which is feeling pressure from investors to find news ways … Read more

How to add almost any gift card to Passbook

Do a quick search on Twitter and you'll find many iOS users sending request after request (or in some cases, demand after demand) to retailers, airlines, and merchants for Passbook integration. Passbook is clearly one feature iOS users are eager to use, but the delay in adoption is driving them mad.

Enter Gyft.

Gyft is a gift card app for iOS that allows you to store gift card information in a single, easy-to-access place. Sound familiar?

As TechCrunch pointed out this morning, Gyft received a big update last night, bringing with it the ability to add any gift card … Read more

Five-deal Friday: iPads, Roku boxes, Vudu movies, and more!

Well, yesterday was kind of a train wreck, huh? Believe me that I get just as frustrated as you when a vendor suddenly jacks up the price on a product, as TigerDirect did yesterday on the Vizio sound bar. It's worse than a sellout, because it smacks of bait-and-switch tactics (even though the company's own promotional e-mail showed it at the higher price, so that accusation doesn't hold water).

Anyway, I still feel bad about it, which is why I'm giving you five -- count 'em, five -- deals today. Without further ado:

1. Wal-Mart has … Read more