9to5Mac is pointing to a Norwegian Mac site called Mac1, which claims that Apple has bought all of the shares of Polar Rose, a facial recognition company based out of Sweden. The news is unconfirmed, at this point. 9to5Mac provides this Google Tranlsated excerpt:

Update: The following statement from Facebook was left in the comments:

Numerous signs would seem to indicate that Apple has acquired a company called IMsense, which is known for  technology related to High Dynamic Range phototoraphy, a feature of the latest version of iOS Apple recently touted. Eric Slivka at MacRumors writes:

Update: Quiksee has confirmed the acquisition. The company says on its blog:

We are delighted to announce that Quiksee has been acquired by Google! 

We’ve learned a lot from our previous work at Quiksee, and we look forward to bringing our  experience, creativity and insight to Google. Both Google and Quiksee share the same innovative  vision, and while we can’t share any future product plans, we look forward to the opportunity to  contribute and do great things together in the future. 

Last week, it was talk about how Facebook’s "going to war" with Google. This was based on Facebook using "likes" as relevance indicators in it’s search results. As some pointed out, Facebook has a long way to go when it comes to competing with Google in search. Bing stands to gain more than anyone, as far as Facebook improving its search is concerned.

The Wall Street Journal has the Blogosphere abuzz with rumors of Google testing a new set-top box with Dish Network, which would allow people to search television and online video content like YouTube. Google has given the usual "we don’t comment on rumor or speculation" statement on the subject.

Rumor has it that Google is eyeing Beverly Hills-based CatchMedia as another possibility in a string of acquisitions. CatchMedia is a company that is focused on creating a "Play Anywhere" system, which lets consumers use their music/media content collection and services wherever they want, regardless of the device they’re using.

According to unnamed sources cited by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, Google plans to launch a store where it will sell online business software for use with its own Google Apps products. The Times cites "a person familiar with the project" and the Journal cites "people briefed by the company."

Update: According to Business Insider, Pete Cashmore had this to say on the matter: 

We’re very open to partnerships and always talk with those that get in touch. We’ve certainly spoken to lots of potential partners, some of those conversations more significant than others. But I don’t feel that any of those conversations reached a point at which Mashable is likely to cease being independent.