In stark contrast to Apple’s business model, Amazon admitted this week that it makes no profit off its Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Fire HD devices. “We sell the hardware at our cost, so it is break-even on the hardware,” Amazon head Jeff Bezos told BBC News. “A lot of technology products and gadgets are sold at break-even and at times even at a slight loss in order to make money off accessories or services the go along with the products,” DailyTech notes. “That selling hardware for no profit is certainly much different from Apple's strategy … but not …

Despite sounding a lot like RSS 2.0, everyone’s buzzing about a new iPad app from browser maker RockMelt, which pulls in all the content users normally fetch themselves. “Surfing the Internet can feel like you’re running in circles, constantly checking your favorite sites for updates,” TechCrunch explains. “The RockMelt team believes that content should be delivered, not hunted, so its new browser app for iPad is built around a stream instead of a blank window.” “The new app foregrounds images and media content, in a tile-like, endlessly streaming visual format,” writes Forbes. As such, “The design brings the inevitable …

In what some see as a very Apple-like strategy, Microsoft is officially betting its future on hardware and online services. In an annual letter to shareholders published Tuesday, CEO Steve Ballmer suggested that Microsoft may make its own phones to build on its forthcoming Surface tablet PC and Xbox gaming console. “There will be times when we build specific devices for specific purposes, as we have chosen to do with Xbox and the recently announced Microsoft Surface,” Ballmer said. “Whether that hints at Microsoft making its own branded Windows Phone -- as has been rumored recently -- is anyone's …

AOL this week is relaunching Games.com, featuring a library of more than 5,000 free online games, mobile games, and new features, including a multi-device experience. “AOL is seeking to position Games.com as the No. 1 portal for online gamers,” The Next Web reports. “What’s interesting about the launch is that AOL is seemingly sidestepping the native mobile app route, and is tapping the power of HTML5 to create browser-based games that work cross-platform.” AOL bought Games.com from Infogrames -- former parent company of Atari -- about six years ago.  

Trying to boost business, Google is rolling out a credit card that small-to-medium-sized businesses can use to spend more money with the search giant. Dubbed AdWords Business Credit, “Google has brought out its first credit card,” ZDNet writes. “Google … today launches a program in the United Kingdom that will help its customers finance online advertising purchases,” Daily Finance reports. “The service is expected to launch in the United States within the next few weeks.” With the card, Google “hopes small business will use to rack up big bills for online ads they don't have the cash to …

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for Zynga, the once soaring social game maker is lowering it full-year projections, and writing down the acquisition costs of OMGPOP by as much as $95 million. “It looks like the Cinderella story that was Zynga’s $183 million acquisition of the long-suffering (and then suddenly desirable) startup OMGPOP may not have a fairy tale ending,” writes BetaBeat. “In other words, the company will be taking an impairment charge for nearly half of the $180 million it paid for the Draw Something creator just six months ago,” Mashable notes. “The problems …

In need of some good news, Facebook on Thursday said it finally surpassed 1 billion active users, i.e., those who visit the site at least once a month. “Facebook has topped 1 billion users, but the past few months have not been easy,” writes The San Francisco Chronicle. “One billion users might be more than just a nice badge to stick on the fridge,” The New York Times’ Bits blog writes. “After Facebook’s lackluster initial public offering, showing that the company is still growing might help to lift Wall Street’s confidence in the company.” “Hitting that milestone …

Following Google’s lead, Microsoft is reportedly considering developing a phone of its own. “The China Times and WPCentral both claim that a device is already being tested at Microsoft’s labs,” The Telegraph writes.   “Information has come forward … that demonstrates Microsoft does have their own Windows Phone hardware in the works,” Windows Phone Central reports. “In fact, we’ve heard it already exists and is in testing.” “Microsoft won't release its own Windows Phone device this year,” reports The Verge citing sources. “Multiple insiders have confirmed there are no plans to introduce a Microsoft-branded Windows Phone …