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"With cloud gaming, consumers will be able to avoid buying Sony's PlayStation 3, Microsoft's Xbox 360 or Nintendo's Wii, and play using generic controllers connected to their set-top box or TV. Some carriers are looking at software that turns smartphones into controllers, the people said."

"Austin, Texas-based rental car service Silvercar will offer streamlined operations, a seamless smartphone user interface, and only one type of vehicle: silver 2013 Audi A4s. Customers can book reservations through a smartphone app, which will also let them manage personalized vehicle settings and preferences. They will be able to choose and unlock their rental car by scanning it with their phone."

"At last week's IGNITION conference, Carolyn Everson - the VP of Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook -- told Business Insider's Jim Edwards that Samsung paid $10 million for a three week Facebook ad campaign. The end result? Samsung sold $129 million worth of Galaxy S III smartphones. Not too shabby."

"To get a feel for the tablet vs PC market, I again looked to IDC for data on computer sales. Last month, it reported a total of 87.7 million personal computers were sold in the third quarter of this year; down 8.6 percent from the year ago quarter. That's not a favorable trend, considering tablet sales grew nearly 50 percent in the past year. If you were to ignore the smartphone for this exercise - which has surpasses sales of the PC early this year - and do a quick calculation of the total tablets and PCs sold, 24 percent of the 115.5 "computers" were tablets in the last quarter."

In certain locations, such as public squares, smartphone owners will be able to use an augmented reality app to project a virtual store - branded as Unlimited Yihaodian - over the top of their surroundings. Using the phone's accelerometer, customers will be able to move around digital rooms, displaying products available on Yihaodian's site, reports suggest. Account holders can then order items for delivery as they would if they were using the browser version.

Cool, new way to wait for a table instead of a buzzer or phone call. 

Google's latest Chrome Experiment aims to make playing a computer game more like playing on a console in front of the TV. The company announced the Chrome Super Sync Sports game this morning. Once you get it all set up, you'll be able to use your smartphone or tablet as a game controller and watch the action unfold on your computer screen.

Shoppers have become increasingly comfortable using the smartphone or tablet to browse retailer offerings, look for discounts and compare products-whether on the go or on the couch. For moms especially, who tend to lead shopping and mobile trends, the use of these smart devices may have reached the tipping point: Mobile has become more than a nice accessory to augment the shopping process; it has become an essential stop in the path to purchase. Read more at http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Moms-Mobile-Part-of-Shopping-Routine/1009722#qpdE6EZ6QEPTj4Lx.99 

It sends pulses of light to the scanner's sensor and mimics the black-and-white sequencing of a standard barcode.