Tuesday, September 2, 2008Google Adds Facial Recognition, Taps Neven Vision TechnologyGoogle's online free photo organization tool, Picasa Web Albums, was upgraded today, adding facial recognition capabilities acquired two years ago from Santa Monica-based firm Neven Vision. Google said Tuesday that the firm's Picasa Web Albums service, which is used by web users to store and share their photographs, will now allow users to tag faces in photos on the web site, and automatically finds and tags people it thinks it recognizes. The new feature--"name tags"--is based on technology Goo (More info...)
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Welcome to our newest sponsor: Orix Venture FinanceWelcome to the newest sponsor of socalTECH, Orix Venture Finance!
ORIX Venture Finance provides senior debt and equity side-by-side investments to mid- and late-stage companies with revenue run rates of $10MM or greater. For more info on the firm, go to their web site, or (even better) call Brian Weber at 949-798-6169.
Orix joins the growing list of sponsors who are helping to make our coverage of Southern California technology industry possible. Those sponsors include:
Binary Pulse Tec (More info...)
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RealD Scores Deal With Independent Theatre GroupLos Angeles-based Real D, which provides 3D theater technologies used for projecting 3D movies, said today that the firm has inked a deal with the National Association of Theatre Owners. Financial details of the deal were not announced. According to RealD, it has inked a deal to provide its 3D capabilities to the Cinema Buying Group (CBG), a buying program for independent theaters administered by the National Association of Theatre Owners. RealD said that Cinema Buying group currently represente (More info...)
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Motek Acquired By Software FirmBeverly Hills-based Motek Information Systems, a developer of warehouse management systems, has been acquired by Phoenix-based AFS Technologies, AFS said today. AFS did not disclose financial terms of the deal, but said that it has acquired Motek Information Systems, acquired Texas-based IRM Corporation, and received a related equity financing. Motek's warehouse management systems served the third party warehouse market, including customers like Associated Grocers, Federated Co-op, Four Seasons (More info...)
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THQ Expands In ChinaAgoura Hills-based computer game maker THQ said today that the firm has expanded in China, with a new Shanghai-based office. According to THQ, its new office will be used to pursue new development opportunities and expand publishing partnerships in the Chinese market. THQ said the office will focus on partnerships to develop and publish both online and packaged games for distribution in China and around the world. The new office will be led by Tim Page, Market Development Director for Asia Pacif (More info...)
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Socialcast Launches Enterprise Micro-blogging ServiceIrvine-based Socialcast, a developer of corporate social networking software, said this morning that it has launched a new "micro-blogging" service targeted at corporate customers. According to the firm, the new software comes as part of its upgraded Socialcast 3.0 platform. The new features allow corporations to deploy communications services similar to Twitter or FriendFeed, where employees can post short messages and capture replies from other employees. The firm is billing its micro-blogging (More info...)
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Staccato Ships Second Gen UWB ChipsSan Diego-based semiconductor developer Staccato Communications has begun shipping the firm's second-generation chip line, its Ripcord2 ultra-wideband ICs, the firm announced today. Staccato said that its new, second generation chipset offers single-chip, all-CMOS WiMedia UWB and Wireless USB capability, built on 65nm CMOS. The firm said the new chipset offers lower power consumption, smaller size, and backward compatibility with its existing software. The firm's semiconductors are targeted at w (More info...)
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PowerGenix Gets Chinese WinSan Diego-based PowerGenix, a developer of nickel-zinc, rechargeable batteries, said this morning that the firm has scored a deal with PowerEagle, a manufacturer of electric bicycles. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. According to PowerGenix, PowerEagle, which is based in China, will use its products across its entire product line offered by its North American partner Veloteq. Veloteq is a manufacturer of electric bicycles and motorcycles. PowerGenix is venture-backed by Advent Int (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2008(Full story)