Sony expands distribution of “The Interview,” the movie that spurred hackers to attack the studio’s network. Sony Pictures The release of “The Interview,” the Sony Pictures movie that sparked a devastating cyberattack and an international uproar, is now spreading well beyond its initial limited scope. The studio announced Wednesday that it’s expanding the movie’s distribution …

CEO Jeff Bezos apparently isn’t giving up on Amazon’s smartphone despite its poor sales. James Martin/CNET When Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos unveiled the Fire Phone in June, he promised consumers a “better phone” than what was already on the market. “Can we build a better phone for our most engaged customers? Can we build a better phone for Amazon Prime …

Some of the most-coveted toys this holiday season, like the Disney Frozen Castle & Ice Palace Playset, can be had — at a steep markup. Toys R Us Jim Sheppard combed store shelves last week to find the hottest toy of the season: the Disney Frozen Castle & Ice Palace Playset. But it wasn’t for a Christmas gift for the …

One of Amazon’s fulfillment centers on the eve of Cyber Monday. James Martin/CNET Getting up before the sun for a spot of frenzied shopping on Thanksgiving weekend is starting to feel so last decade. That’s why some retailers are keeping online sales going long after the big holiday shopping days, experts say. Granted, the weekend did score big numbers, overall. …

Amazon uses Instagram to promote its new Snapchat account. Screenshot by Donna Tam/CNET Snap up these deals before they’re gone in 10 seconds. Literally. Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer by revenue, hopes to boost sales with a new take on social shopping — using a Snapchat account to send gift ideas, recommendations and exclusive deals that disappear in seconds. …

Alibaba’s site TMall is just one online retailer that’s delivering sales on Tuesday to encourage singles to buy gifts for themselves. Screenshot by Donna Tam/CNET Bummed that you’re home alone on date night yet again? Don’t worry. A new watch or some scuba gear could help. At least that’s the philosophy behind Singles Day, a Chinese festival that encourages those …

The new Amazon Echo answers questions, and lets you buy and play music. Amazon Amazon doesn’t just want to be there for you when you feel like shopping; it wants to be your personal assistant at home whenever you need it. The online retail giant on Thursday unveiled Amazon Echo , a stationary tower activated by voice commands or through …

Amazon is extending its unlimited photo storage feature from its Fire devices to all Prime subscription members. CNET Amazon is offering unlimited photo storage to its Prime subscribers, adding another carrot to lure consumers and lock them into its ever-expanding delivery and media service. Similar to popular cloud storage services like Box, Dropbox, One Drive and Google Drive, Amazon’s new …

CurrentC, a rival of Google Wallet and Apple Pay, is under fire for the actions of its supporters. Merchant Customer Exchange Quiet since the weekend, retail group Merchant Customer Exchange published a blog post on Wednesday defending CurrentC, its mobile-payments service meant to rival the likes of Google Wallet and Apple Pay. MCX, a consortium of retailers led by Walmart …

Poynt will take several payment methods: traditional credit cards, cards with EMV, NFC, QR codes and beacon. Poynt Credit cards with magnetic strips. Cards with chips. Smartphones that use near field communication (NFC) and ones that read QR codes. The way things are going, consumers will need a scorecard to figure out if — and how — they can pay …