Square Reader Rebooted With Slimmer Body, No Battery

Square Reader, the popular gadget that turns iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones into credit-card accepting devices, received a sleek reboot on Tuesday, with a slimmer form factor and no battery necessary.

Square first launched its reader in 2009, giving small businesses — from retail shops and contractors to a stand at a farmer's market — a way to easily complete transactions with customers. But this is the first major redesign of its hardware and software since the launch, incorporating more custom parts for better performance and making it look more elegant