Thursday, November 9, 2006Autobytel Looks To Sell Business UnitsIrvine-based Autobytel, a provider of online automotive purchasing and related services, announced Thursday that the firm is exploring strategic alternatives for its RPM and AIC business units. The AIC unit provides automotive marketing data and technology, used for product planning and shaping marketing strategies; RPM is a dealership service reminder used for marketing efforts. The firm said that it is looking at strategic alliances and/or divestiture of the businesses, as it focuses on the In (More info...)
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AOL Buys BlogsmithAOL has purchased Blogsmith, a Santa Monica-based firm that develops blog management software. One of the firm's founders, Gordon Gould, who is also CEO of Santa Monica-based ThisNext, confirmed the deal with socalTECH. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Blogsmith's software is used for managing blog content posting. Other founders of the firm include Brian Alvey, the firm's CTO, who also serves as President of Weblogs Inc, a company which was sold to AOL last October. The purchase was (More info...)
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Broadcom Announces Single-Chip Blu-ray/HD DVD ChipIrvine-based Broadcom has announced today that it has shipped what it says is the first complete, system-on-a-chip (SoC) product that combines both Blu-ray and HD DVD optical disc formats on a single chip. The new silicon allows manufacturers to design systems which could support both competing next generation DVD standards. The new Broadcom BCM7440 Blu-ray/HD DVD SoC includes refence designs and software for both Blu-ray and HD DVD profiles, and also supports the current DVD format. Broadcom sa (More info...)
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Report: VCs Becoming Friendlier To Early Stage FirmsDow Jones & Company and VentureOne are reporting today that venture capital deal terms are becoming more company friendly than they were four years ago. The firm, which just published the results in the VentureOne Deal Terms Report, said that new companies are getting better liquidation preferences and selling smaller percentages of ownership in this term sheets. The share of companies sold in Series A rounds has dropped to 40%, down from 50% last year, which the report attributed to smaller fir (More info...)
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Helio Launches New Mobile Device, Integrates With GoogleLos Angeles-based Helio, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offering wireless service, said early this morning that it has launched a new mobile device that integrates Google Maps and other services. The firm's Drift device is the company's third, and includes integrated GPS capability. Helio said that it uses a GPS-enabled version of Google Maps to pull up a users' current location, and tap into Google's real-time traffic, map and routing information, and search results. The firm has also (More info...)
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Sony Adds Library To GrouperCulver City-based Grouper.com, the online user-generated video site owned by Sony, announced today that it has added Sony's library of films and television shows to a new channel on the site. The site features short scenes from Sony's library of films and television shows, and allows users to purchase the full length versions on DVD or for digital download. Films included in the "ScreenBits" channel include "A Few Good Men", "A League Of Their Own", "Beverly Hills Ninja" and other Sony library t (More info...)
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iFilm Relaunches Web SiteViacom's MTV has re-launched its dot com era online video site, IFilm, saying Wednesday that the site now features both professionally produced and user-generated content, and tens of thousands of new videos. IFilm has posted new archived content from shows such as "Beavis and Butthead" and "Punk'd", new personalization and search features, and the ability for useres to upload their own videos. IFilm was purchased by MTV in 2005.
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Bid4Spots Takes Reverse Ad Auctions To Internet RadioLos Angeles-based Bid4Spots has taken the firm's reverse advertising auctions to Internet Radio, the firm announced this week, and is looking to facilitate buying and selling of advertising for independent online radio. Bid4Spots, which conducts weekly auctions for terrestrial radio spots, said that it will apply its reverse auctions to independent, online-only radio broadcasting. Online radio broadcasting has been mostly ignored by advertisers, despite a reported 52 million listeners according (More info...)
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Language Weaver Gets Commercial WinLos Angeles-based Language Weaver, a provider of automated language translation tools, reported this week that it has provided French and Spanish software translation modules to ITP (Ishida Taiseseisha Inc.), a provider of translation and publishing services. ITP develops technical and marketing publications for major Japanese and other Asian automative manufacturers. ITP will use Language Weaver's tools to help automate translation of ITP's large volume of technical manuals.
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SAIC Buys Two More Defense FirmsSan Diego-based SAIC is continuing its rapid rate of acquisitions, saying last night and this morning that it has acquired two defense firms. SAIC said last night that it has completed the acquisition of AETC Incorporated, a San Diego-based developer of next generation antisubmarine warfare systems. Financial terms in that deal were undisclosed. AETC has 46 employees who will become part of SAIC's Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Group. Separately, SAIC said this morning it has acquire (More info...)
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EDF Ventures Opens San Diego OfficeEDF Ventures, a early-stage venture capital firm focused on healthcare and information technology, said this week that it has opened up a new office in San Diego. The firm said that it is opening the office because there's a need in Southern California for hands-on investors willing to get involved very early in the development cycle. Ann Arbor, Michigan-based EDF is looking to invest from several hundred thousand dollars up to $2M in first series investments. The office will be managed by Gener (More info...)
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