Santa Barbara-based Eucalyptus, which develops cloud computing management software, and Jamcracker, a developer of software for provisioning public and private cloud services, said today that the two firms have integrated their software. According to the companies, the integration allows enterprises to self-provision private and hybrid clouds. Business terms of the effort were not disclosed. Eucalyptus is a spinout of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has received funding from New Enterprise Associates, Benchmark Capital and BV Capital.

Irvine-based Digital Map Products, a provider of geographical information systems (GIS) products, reported this week that it has signed on Union City, California, as a customer. According to Digital Map Products, Union City is using its product to collect and share GIS data among its departments and with the public. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. Digital Map Products is headed by Jim Skurzynski. The firm has previously raised funding from the Keiretsu Forum and TVC Ventures.

San Diego-based Novatel Wireless, which develops wireless broadband access products, including the popular MiFi mobile hotspot, said today that it has inked a Master Purchase Agreement with Comcast. According to Novatel, the deal calls for its to supply its MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot and Ovation MC760 devices as part of Comcast's nationwide High-Speed 2go service. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. Novatel said its devices are available through Comcast today. Novatel's Mifi device allows users to convert a cell phone connection into a mini wireless access point. The firm's Ovation MC760 is an EV-DO Rev A. modem used to connect laptops, PCs, or desktop PCs directly to the Internet via a cell phone connection.

Thousand Oaks-based Xirrus, the developer of Wi-Fi networking hardware, reported this week that it recently deployed its equipment in Washington D.C., at the U.S National Mall. According to Xirrus, its equipment is being used to enhance public safety during public events on the Mall, to wireless link high definition surveillance cameras for the U.S. Park Police. Xirrus said its Rapid Deployment Wi-Fi Kits were used to connect cameras on top of the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, as well as other locations, including at the recent Glenn Beck rally. Xirrus develops high bandwidth, high density wireless equipment which combine multiple Wi-Fi access points and switching into a single unit. The firm's Rapid Deployment Kits are targeted at first-responder, public venue, and disaster relief. Xirrus said those kits can be set up in five minutes to provide wireless access.

Pasadena-based Guidance Software, the developer of electronic discovery and forensics software, said Wednesday that the company is planning to grow in the EMEA, and has hired a new Vice President of EMEA Sales to head up the effort. Guidance said it has named Frank Coggrave as VP of EMEA Sales, and also expanded its channel partner program in the region. Coggrave was most recently VP of EMEA and General Manager for NComputing, and also has served at Telelogic, Continuus Software, Jacada, Texas Instruments and Websense. Guidance develops digital investigation and discovery software used by the government, corporations, and law enforcement.

Santa Barbara-based Sonos, which develops a wireless music streaming system, said Wednesday afternoon that it has linked with European music streaming firm Spotify. According to the two firms, they will begin streaming music from Spotify to Sonos users in Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Sonos said that the access to Spotify will be available via an updated version of its software, which will be available later this month. Sonos develops user-friendly music players, which allow users to stream music from their computer or online music services to any room in a house. The new Spotify support requires a Sonos ZonePlayer, a Sonos Controller or iPhone software, and a Spotify Premium Account.

Two local area firms have made a list of firms that the World Economic Forum feels are using technology to address society's problems. According to the World Economic Forum, it selected 31 startups for the list, including San Diego-based On Ramp Wireless and Camarillo-based Transonic Combustion. On Ramp Wireless develops smart grid monitoring systems, and Transonic Combusion is developing new fuel injection systems to improve the fuel economy of new cars and trucks. Also on the list was Ion Torrent, the firm acquired on August 17th by Carlsbad-based Life Technologies. Ion Torrent develops semiconductor-based, DNA sequencing technology. Last year, Pasadena-based solar technology developer eSolar was the only local firm on the list.

Los Angeles-based Rubicon Project, the online advertising firm which helps web publishers optimize their ad network revenues, reported this week on the latest online ad spending, saying that ad spending tracked at its customers grew 47 percent in the first half of the year. Rubicon, which has been issuing quarterly reports on ad trends, said that it believes that 2010 is "shaping up to be the strongest year yet" for online ad spending. The firm develops its report from tracking a group of twenty premium websites it manages through its REVV Marketplace. The firm attributed the strong growth to sporting events such as the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, and World Cup, in addition to better recognition of the firm's marketplace. Rubicon is venture backed by Clearstone Venture Partners, Mayfield Fund, IDG Ventures and GE/NBC Universal's Peacock Equity Fund.

Los Angeles- and Atlanta-based SocialVest, a developer of a caused-driven shopping site, said today that it has launched a new service which allows users to raise and give money to non-profit organizations, through shopping. The startup, which has its team split between Atlanta and Los Angeles, said it will rebate 1 percent to 15 percent of purchases made by its users with participating retailers to a "Giving Account", which users can then redirect to the non-profit of their choice. The firm said it has over 500 retailers participating in the program, and more than 1.5 million registered non-profit organizations users can contribute to. Socialvest asks users to link their credit card to the service, shop at both online and offline retailers, and give back any money they've earned to various charities. The firm is headed by Adam Ross, who is based in Atlanta, with marketing and business development in Los Angeles. The firm is backed by un-named angel investors from New York.

Los Angeles-based Mobile-XL, the mobile information provider for Africa backed by the Tech Coast Angels, said this week that it has expanded a partnership with XScores, a provider of sports content, to deliver scores to sports fan through its XLBrowser product. Mobile-XL provides news and information to emerging markets in Africa via SMS, reaching a market which has little to no Internet access. Mobile-XL said the partnership extends sports scores to national and global tournaments in soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, baseball and American football. The two already had inked a deal to deliver NBA scores via MobileXL's services. Mobile-XL is headed by Guy Kamgaing-Kouam.

San Diego-based Active Network said this week that it has signed the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, the two largest parks and recreation organizations in Minnesota, as a customer. According to Active, the two organizations are using its software to manage and automate their daily operations. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. The news comes as ventureWire reports that Active Network is serious about an IPO. Active Network is backed by ESPN, Canaan Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, Performance Equity Partners, and others, and was founded in 1998. The firm provides online sports and activities registration software to community sports teams, parks districts, and others.

Los Angeles-based GameFly, the provider of online video game rentals, is looking to spur subscriber signups, saying today that it is looking to give away one year, free memberships to a new subscriber every day this month. The firm said it is looking to reward new members of its community with the promotion. Gamefly offers a videogame rental service which allows users to rent one or more video games concurrently via mail, using a similar model to Netflix. The promotion comes a day after the firm released its latest subscriber numbers via an updated S-1, saying it had 410,000 subscribers as of June 30th. GameFly is looking to have an initial public offering on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "GFLY".

Los Angeles-based Lunch.com, the online social media and networking site run by J.R. Johnson, told its users today that it has unveiled a new, personal RSS feed feature to the site. According to Lunch.com, the new feed can be added to blogs, personal sites, or elsewhere to help users promote their content. Lunch.com allows users to find and share recommendations on products and other topics with other users, and find others who share similar interests. Johnson was the founder of VirtualTourist, which he sold to Expedia in 2008. The new features follow the launch last month of "social badges" on the site, similar to Foursquare and other location-based checkin services.

San Diego-based Accumetrics, a developer of medical devices used to measure antiplatelet therapy, a technique used to prevent heart attack and stroke, said this morning that it has closed on a $24M funding round. The firm said the funding came from existing investors, including Arnerich Massena, BBT Fund/Apothecary Capital, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, Rivervest and Kaiser Permanente. Of that funding, $7M was raised recently, with the remainder having been received in the Fall of 2009. The firm said it will use the funding to complete key milestones and expand its global commercialization efforts. Accumetrics sysetm is being used by physicians to measure patient response to antiplatelet therapies, which are prescribed to reduce the occurrence of future heart attacks and strokes.

Los Angeles-based OpenX, the developer of ad serving technology, said late last night that it has launched a new effort in Japan called OpenX Market Japan. OpenX said it has entered into a multi-year partnership with cyber communications inc. (cci), a media representative company owned by Dentsu, to launch the effort. According to the firms, under the terms of the exclusive partnership, cci will bring OpenX's global ad marketplace to Japanese publishers, advertisers, and agencies. Financial details of the deal were not announced. The two said they will launch OpenX Market Japan sometime in the fourth quarter. OpenX is venture backed by Accel Partners, Index Ventures, and O'Reilly AlphaTech Ventures.

Lake Forest-based disk drive maker Western Digital Corp. reported this morning that it has added Len Lauer, currently President, CEO, and director of Memjet, to its board of directors. Lauer was also EVP and COO of Qualcomm. Lauer has has served at Sprint, Bell Atlantic, and IBM, and sits on the board of H&R Block. WD said Lauer has deep experience with large, multi-national public technology companies and consumer products markets.

Encinitas-based SG Biofuels, a developer of Jatropha-based biofuels technology, has raised $9.41M in a funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. Source of the new funding was not disclosed. SG Biofuels is headed by Kirk Haney. Jatropha is a drought- and pest-resistant plant which has a very high oil content, and which has been identified as a good source of biofuels.

La Jolla-based Cebix, a developer of treatments for type 1 diabetic neuropathy, has raised $14.0M in a new funding round, according to a regulatory filing by the firm today. Details on the funding have not been announced by the company, however, the filing indicates that Sofinnova Venture Partners, InterWest Partners, Thomas McNerney & Partners, and Creative Peptides Sweden are all now represented on the firm's board. Sofinnova was a prior investor in the firm, as was Healthcap Venture Capital. According to the firm's web site, it is looking to file an IND by the end of the year, to allow safety testing on humans of its technology.

Monrovia-based AeroVironment said Tuesday that it has received a $35.2M order, for the firm's Puma All Environment unmanned aircraft systems. The firm said the order came from the USSOCOM, the U.S. unified command for U.S. Special Operations. AeroVironment said the UAVs will be used to protect troops and vehicles in combat areas. The contract covers unmanned aircraft systems, spares and training services. AeroVironment is a provider of a number of different unmanned aircraft systems used by the military and other departments. The firm said its Puma UAS was selected in 2008 by USSOCOM.

Los Angeles-based social networking site MySpace announced today that it has named Tom Cox as the firms' Senior vice President of Business Development. The firm said that Cox joins from Stratique Partners, an executive level consulting firm where he was Principal and co-founder. Cox also served at AOL, as Vice Presidentof Business Development, and was an investment banker at Friedman, Billings, Ramsey. The company said that Cox will be responsible for the company's overall business strategy, as well as identifying and negotiating critical partnerships.

San Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, a developer of continuous variable transmissions for the electric car and other industries, has raised $6M more in venture capital, according to an updated S-1 from the firm. The company, which is in registration for an IPO, said the funding came from Robeco and Santa Barbara-based clean technology investor NGEN Partners. The updated S-1 filing came late Friday.

Irvine-based Integrien, a developer of enterprise IT monitoring software, has been acquired by VMware, according to VMware this morning. Although VMware did not announce financial details of the acquisition, sources close to Integrien said the acquisition was worth $102M. The acquisition was a big win for Southern California's investors, particularly from Clearstone Venture Partners and the Tech Coast Angels. Integrien was venture backed by Clearstone Venture Partners, Acartha Group, Mariner Capital Ventures, and the Tech Coast Angels. Clearstone owned about half of the firm. The acquisition marks a string of successful exits for both Clearstone and the Tech Coast Angels, with Integrien marking the fifth exit over $100M for Clearstone in the last year. Clearstone's other major recent exits are Kazeon (acquired by EMC), Mimosa (Iron Mountain), Ankeena (Juniper Networks), and Meru Networks (IPO). The exit is also welcome news to the Tech Coast Angels, and is the third exit for the firm in as many months. The TCA recently saw the acquisition of Language Weaver, and IPOs in Green Dot and Trius Therapeutics. Integrien was founded by Al Eisaian and Mazda Marvasti, and is currently headed by Dale Quayle.

Mojave, California-based Masten Space Systems, a developer of experimental space vehicles, is one of two firms sharing in $475,000 in a NASA award. According to NASA, it has selected Masten, along with Texas-based Armadillo Aerospace, to perform test flights of their experimental vehicles near the edge of space. The awards are part of a NASA effort to foster the development of commercial, reusable transportation to near space, between 65,000 and 350,000 feet. NASA said Masten's Xaero vehicle will make four flights from the Mojave Spaceport, reaching as high as 18 miles. Masten was one of the winners of the Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander X PRIZE Challenge back in November; Armadillo Aerospace was the other winner of the same challenge.

Los Angeles-based Napster, the digital music service which is now owned by Best Buy, said today that it has debuted an application for Samsung's Internet connected televisions. Napster said its new application for Samsung Apps, Samsung's HD-based application store, allows U.S. customers to listen to Napster's music service via Samsung's TVs, Blue-ray players, and Blu-ray home theater systems. Napster said the applications runs on select, 2010 Samsung TVs which are 40-inches and above, as well as certain Blue-ray players and home theater systems. The application requires a subscription to Napster.

Aliso Viejo-based Quest Software has sued competitors Centrify Corp. and Likewise Software, Inc., the firm said late Friday, claiming that the two firms infringe on one of its patents, U.S. Patent No. 7,617,501. According to Quest, the patent covers the extension of Windows Group Policy into Unix, Linux, Mac, and other non-Windows computer systems. Quest said it is seeking damages and injunctive relief from Centrify and Likewise. In a retaliatory lawsuit, this morning, Centrify said it has filed its own, patent infringement suit against Quest, alleging that Quest's Authentication Services infringe on its U.S. Patent No. 7,591,005. Centrify said its patent covers the capablity of UNIX and Linux service accounts and root accounts to be authenticated with a centralized directory.

San Diego-based VMIX, the developer of online video management software, announced today that it has added a new Wi-Fi switching capability to the firm's video software development kit. The firm said the capability, available on iPad, iPhone, and Android, allows developers using its platform to switch to using Wi-Fi connections on phones when those connections are available, and reverting to cell delivery when those networks are not available. VMIX operates a site which is used by companies to upload and manage their online videos. The firm's customers include NASA, ESPN, The McClatchy Company, Toyota-Scion, ABC's Dancing with the Stars, and other corporate customers

Irvine-based WiSpry, a developer of RF semiconductors, reported today thta it has inked a development deal with NTT DOCOMO. WiSpry said that it has agreed to jointly develop tunable filters for mobile phone applications with NTT DOCOMO, based on its RF-MEMS technology. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The company explained that the new tunable filters will be used in mobile phone platforms, and are expected to improve battery life at lower cost and size.

San Diego-based DexCom, a developer of continuous glucose monitoring systems, said Monday afternoon that Donald A. Lucas has resigned from the firm's board of directors. Lucas is Founding Managing Member at RWI Group, which was an investor in DexCom before the firm's IPO in 2005. Dexcom President and CEO Terry Gregg said in a statement that Don's committment to the firm "far exceeded that of a typical venture capital investor."

Playa Vista-based X Prize Foundation, the nonprofit which is running a series of competitions to advance science and technology, has unveiled it latest prize under development: clean-burning cookstoves. The group said the new effort, which it is developing with the Government of India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, looks to spur the development of clean and efficient cookstove technology. The contest comes as a result of an estimated 70 percent of Indian households still using stoves that burn solid fuel--usually, wood or coal. That reliance on solid fuel results both in poor indoor air quality and smoke, which increases the risk of pneumonia, cataracts, and tuberculosis; but also contributes to climate change, according to the Foundation. No details on the prize, launch date, or guidelines have been announced yet. The new competition is part of the X Prize Foundation's Education & Global Development prize group.

Los Angeles-based Mail.com, the online media network run by Jay Penske, is being sued by The Gross Family Foundation, a New York-based charity, over its use of "FASHION ROCKS" to advertise and promote its own multimedia services. According to a lawsuit filed Monday in the New York Southern District Court (The Gross Family Foundation, Inc. v. Mail.Com Media Corporation), the Gross Family Foundation claims that MMC is using "FASHION ROCKS" to advertise and promote its own services, including claiming ownership of the Fashion Rocks charity and live music and fashion entertainment events. Fashion Rocks is used by Conde Nast to promote New York's Fashion Week, under license from the Gross Family Foundation. The foundtaion is claiing trademarke infringement, unfair competition and false advertising, and is seeking an injunction against use, deletion of references on its web site and materials, and damages for the use.

Los Angeles-based social networking site MySpace said Monday that it has added a new ability to synchronize MySpace updates with competitor Facebook. MySpace said its new Sync with Facebook synchronizes status updates, and also allows users to share their music, videos, links, and photos with friends on Facebook. The update sync feature also includes connections into Twitter.

San Diego-based ShowUhow, a developer of an online web site focused on video instruction guides for manufacturers and retailers, said today that it has raised $3M in a funding round. The firm said the Series A funding came from Syncom Venture Partners. As part of the funding, the firm said that Giles Bateman, former co-founder of Price Club/Costco and former chairman of CompUSA, has joined its board. ShowUhow maintains a library of videos providing information about consumer electronics and other products, used for pre-sales and helping in set-up.

Los Angeles-based X Prize Foundation, the group which manages a series of competition-based prizes aimed at advancing science and technology, said today that it is running an eBay auction for a zero gravity flight with Avatar producer and director James Cameron. According to the foundation, the fundraiser will allow guests to purchase seats next to Cameron, as well as other X Prize board members, on a ZERO-G Experience flight taking off from Van Nuys airport in October. The event might be one of the more unusual ways to network with technology moguls and other high profile individuals involved with the X Prize Foundation -- the foundation said that other confirmed individuals so far who will be on the flight are Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO of Fox Films, and Tim Ferriss, the author of "The 4-Hour Workweek". The flight will be on a modified Boeing 727-200 aircraft, the G-FORCE ONE.

Pasadena-based Central Desktop, the software-as-a-service provider of business collaboration software, said today that it has named Laurence Sotsky as Vice President of Sales. Sotsky was most recently Vice President of Sales at the Los Angeles Times Media Group, and has also served at Deloitte Consulting, and Accenture. According to Sotsky's LinkedIn profile, he's also served at i2 Technologies, Agribuys (Foodlink Online), The Gallup Organization, and VerticalNet, among other firms. Central Desktop is headed by Isaac Garcia, and backed by Openview Venture Partners.