Amazon’s deals suggest new Kindle coming soon

A new deal Friday on the Kindle DX has sparked speculation that Amazon could launch new Kindle devices next week, in time for the back-to-school shopping season.

For its Deal of the Day, Amazon listed many of its own products, all of which are related to its Kindle brand. Most notably, the Seattle retailer listed its 9.7-inch Kindle DX at $110 off its regular price.

All in all, though, Amazon listed 16 deals Friday that are related to Kindle, which has led Gizmodo to speculate that it’s clearing house in preparation for the launch of new Kindles next week.

Adding to the speculation, Amazon also began listing the Kindle Touch 3G as unavailable, and last week, the company had a 40 percent-off sale on some Kindles and Kindle accessories for its Amazon Visa card holders.

Express Scripts divesting to focus on core business

Express Scripts Holding Co. plans to sell or exit some businesses that fall outside its core pharmacy benefits management operations.

The St. Louis company said Friday that it will divest the diabetic testing supply business under its Liberty brand and some units operated under its United BioSource Corp. subsidiary, which provides pharmaceutical services.

Express Scripts also will dissolve its joint venture in China, leave its European headquarters in Amsterdam and wind down its business in Germany and France.

FTC finalizes its settlement with Facebook over privacy

The Federal Trade Commission voted Friday to finalize its settlement with Facebook, resolving charges that the social network exposed details about users’ lives without getting the required legal consent.

Facebook Inc. agreed to submit to government audits of its privacy practices every other year for the next two decades. The company also committed to getting explicit approval from users before changing the types of content it makes public.

The settlement, announced in November, is similar to agreements the FTC reached separately with Google Inc. and Myspace.

— From news service reports