Thursday, September 14, 2006Interview with Steve Andler, Networks In MotionNetworks in Motion (www.networksinmotion.com) is an Irvine-based firm in the location based services (LBS) space, which is backed by Sutter Hill, Mission Ventures, and Redpoint Ventures. We met up with Steve Andler, VP of Marketing at the firm at CTIA earlier this week, and spoke to him about the company.
Ben Kuo: What does Networks in Motion do, and what is your product?
Steve Andler: The most famous of our products is Verizon Navigator on Verizon Mobile, which is based on our reference p (More info...)
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SAIC Makes Another AcquisitionSan Diego-based SAIC has made yet another acquisition, saying Wednesday that it has acquired Varec, a provider of measurement, control and automation systems for the oil and gas, defense, and aviation markets. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Varec employs more than 125 people in Norcross, Ga. SAIC said that the acquisition would strengthen its position in the fuels industry. The acquisition is the company's third in the last couple of months, and is at least the seventh a (More info...)
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Viva! Vision Targets Mobile Latino YouthSanta Monica-based Viva! Vision, a company developing mobile content for the Latino community, said Wednesday that its Viva! Vision TV Latino youth channel will be available on Verizon's V CAST service. The new mobile phone channel will provide music, entertainment, lifestyle and comedy programming. The content will be included as part of Verizon's basic V CAST service plan fees. Viva said that it has been providing mobile content in Latin America for more than two years. The firm is backed by E (More info...)
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Emulex Expands In BangaloreCosta Mesa-based Emulex is making an expansion of the firm in India, according to industry publication EE Times. The firm is reportedly investing over $10M to grow the firm's design center in Bangalore, part of the company's recent acquisition of Aarohi Communications. EE Times, quoting Michael Rockenbach, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said that the firm plans to move some of its engineering work in Bothell, Washington to Bangalore. Emulex acquired Aarohi in April for $39 (More info...)
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WiderThan Deploys On Amp'dWiderThan, a publisher of mobile games, is deploying two of its games on Amp'd Mobile, the Los Angeles-based MVNO targeting the youth market. Amp'd said yesterday that WiderThan's Cubetrix and Zoo Keeper games are now available for sale to Amp'd Mobile subscribers. The deal is the first for WiderThan on a 3G MVNO. WiderThan is a developer of mobile games, and was recently acquired by RealNetworks.
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Xirrus Expands Into JapanWestlake Village-based Xirrus reports that it has added a strategic distribution partner in Japan. Xirrus announced yesterday that it has added Rikei Corporation to cover the Japanese market for its Wi-Fi products. Xirrus ia provider of Wi-Fi switching products, which the firm is targeting now at providing quality of service-based wireless delivery of voice, video, and data. The firm's products are undergoing testing for radio certifications in Japan, and the company said it expects them to be a (More info...)
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Twistbox, Latin World Entertainment To Create Mobile ContentLos Angeles-based Twistbox Entertainment is in a deal to develop content for the Hispanic and Latin American market, saying that it has entered into a deal with Latin World Entertainment to provide premium content, advertising-support programming, games, and community applications for mobile phones. Latin World represents clients such as Editorial televisa, which publishes Cosmopolitan en Espanol, Vanidades and Maxim en Espanol; and TV personalities Sofia Vergara and Danna Garcia.
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Spark Networks Adds To BoardBeverly Hills-based online dating service Spark Networks said this week that it has expanded its board of directors. Spark said that it has appointed Adam Berger, former CEO of WeddingChannel.com; Jonathan Bulkeley, CEO of Scanbuy, Inc.; Christopher Gaffney, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Great Hill Partners; and Scott Sassa, CEO and Founder of W Cubed Media to its board of directors. Great Hill Partners is the majority owner of Spark Networks, and Sassa was previously Entrepeneur-in-Residen (More info...)
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