Tuesday, June 12, 2007Broadcom Buys Global LocateIrvine-based semiconductor firm Broadcom has acquired San Jose-based Global Locate, a developer of assisted GPS and GPS semiconductors, for approximately $146M in cash. Broadcom said that it is acquiring the firm because it expects the demand for GPS devices to increase dramatically as deployment of mobile phones increase. The deal is expected to close in Broadcom's Q3, which ends September 30th, and also includes up to $80M in earn out. Global Locate is venture backed by Firsthand Capital Manag (More info...)
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Demand Media Acquires ExpertVillage.comSanta Monica-based Demand Media announced Tuesday morning that it has acquired ExpertVillage.com, a provider of online, "how-to" videos. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Demand Media said that the acquisition will expand its social media platform, through a library of video content. ExpertVillage provides a professionally filmed "how to" videos across hobbies, home and garden, money & finance, travel, and health & beauty. Demand Media is the venture backed social media venture of (More info...)
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Userplane Ties Into Me.comSanta Monica-based Userplane, a provider of instant messaging and communications tools for online communities, and Me.com, an online provider of branded, online communities, said they are in a partnership. The two will integrate Userplane's Webmessenger and Webchat applications into Me.com's platform, which allows anyone to create their own social networking web site. Userplane is a subsidiary of AOL, and provides tools used by third party web sites to connect their users through chat, instant m (More info...)
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CinemaNow Relaunches Music Video SiteMarina Del Rey-based online movie download site CinemaNow has relaunched its online music video site, WatchMusicHere.com. CinemaNow said today that it will relaunch the site with content from Warner Music Group, which will be the exclusive provider of content for the site. The online site will provide music videos for purchase and download. According to CinemaNow, it will offer music videos for download-to-own for $1.99, in WMA format.
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Ingram Micro Takes On Closeout SalesSanta Ana-based Ingram Micro, a technology distributor for the electronics market, said today that it has extended its line card to include discontinued and refurbished products in the US. The products will be available through an online "Ingram Micro Outlet" and will also include remarketed and liquidated products. Ingram said the move will help IT manufacturers maximize their recovery value on their products. The outlet is an extension of a program the firm has offered in Canada since 2004.
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Hancock Resigns From Jazz TechnologiesEllen M. Hancock, one of the former Apple Computer executives now operating Newport Beach-based semiconductor firm Jazz Technologies, has resigned from the firm, the company reported today. According to the company, Hancock has decided to resign to devote time to other business obligations. Hancock, ex Apple CEO Gilbert Amelio, and Apple founder Steve Wozniak founded Acquicor, the blank check acquisition company which acquired Jazz Semiconductor. Hancock's duties will be assumed by Gil Amelia an (More info...)
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Enterprise Partners Promotes NierenbergSan Diego-based venture capital firm Enterprise Partners said today that it has promoted Erik Nierenberg to Venture Partner. Nierenberg, who joined Enterprise Partners in 2004, will assume the board seats at portfolio firms Devicescape, Expresso Fitness, and Specific Media. Nierenberg has previously served at Bain & Company, Netscape, and The Bridgespan Group. The promotion is the second for Nierenberg at the firm; he was promoted from Associate to Principal in February of 2006.
posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007(Full story)