Google just bought gesture recognition technology provider Flutter for a reported $40 million. TechCrunch thinks the deal has obvious implications for Google Glass and other products, which “may soon be picking up more Kinect-style gesture features,” it writes. “Gesture technology is a big area these days.” 

The New York Times explores how social networks are positioning themselves as companions to popular TV shows to drive usership. “Facebook and Twitter both see the social conversation around television as a way to increase use of their sites and win a bigger piece of advertisers’ spending,” it writes. “In recent months, they have engaged in an escalating battle … to claim the title of the nation’s digital water cooler.” 

How many lives can a start-up live? Cue is about to attempt its third. Founded as a social search startup -- under the name Greplin -- the company pivoted last year, and tried its hand at the digital personal assistant business. Now, Cue is looking for another line of work, TechCrunch reports, although its next iteration is not yet known. 

Snapchat this week is showing off a new feature named Stories, which is basically a rolling compilation of pictures (or “snaps”) from the last 24 hours for users’ friends to view. “Snapchat may not look much like Facebook, but with Stories, the company is taking its first steps toward competing with Facebook’s most important product: News Feed,” The Verge suggests. 

Some top Microsoft investors are reportedly calling for Bill Gates to relinquish his roles as chairman of the company. “This appears to be the first time that major shareholders are taking aim at Gates, who remains one of the most respected and influential figures in technology,” Reuters writes. At present, three of Microsoft’s top 20 investors want to send Gates packing, sources tell Reuters.

Telogis -- which offers a location-based services platform for companies with big mobile workforces -- just raised $93 million. Led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, “The funding will further help fuel the company’s expansion in the anticipation of an IPO next year,” TechCrunch reports. “The company … is at the intersection of a megashift in how people work,” which is being driven by advances in mobile technology and cloud services.

Why did Apple just bring in cable industry veteran Jean-François Mulé? AppleInsider surmises the engineering hire must have something to do with Apple’s set-top cable box ambitions. “It is unclear what Apple may have in mind with its new hire, but the company has recently been aggressively updating Apple TV software to include more channels and content,” it writes.

Threatening to undercut its favorable first impressions with consumers and the media industry, Google’s Chromecast service remains remarkably light on content. Reports ReadWrite: “From the users’ point of view, the current state of Chromecast hasn't changed much since it was first introduced,” this summer. “The lack of streaming options belies the intense interest this device has attracted.”

Among EU countries, Google’s recent offer to modify search results may finally get antitrust officials off its back. “Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told lawmakers in the European Parliament on Tuesday he believed the company's offer made it easier for Web users to see results from Google's rivals in Internet searches,” Reuters reports. If the issue goes unresolved, Google could face a fine of about $5 billion. 

Beginning in Japan, Google plans to test Google Play machines, which sell a mix of free and pay-to-play videogames. “To use the machines, you'll need a smartphone running Android 4.0 and NFC,” Engadget reports. “You rest the phone on the tray below the screen, and NFC pairing takes care of the rest.” If and when Google plans to bring its vending machine strategy to U.S. shores is not yet known.