Monday, November 24, 2008SpaceX Trumpets Test FiringHawthorne-based SpaceX, the high profile commercial space vehicle firm headed by Elon Musk, said this weekend that it has successfully conducted a full mission-length firing of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle's first stage. According to the firm, the launch test validated the design of its first stage, as well as ability to shut down the engines without affecting the remaining engines in the rocket. The firm's test occurred 10:30 Saturday night at the firm's MacGregor, Texas test site. SpaceX said i (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
Geni Adds "Family Finder"Los Angeles-based genealogy and family networking site Geni has rolled out a new "Family Finder" feature, the firm said Friday, allowing users to import addresses from Microsoft Outlook, web email programs like Google's Gmail and Yahoo, or other sources. According to Geni, the new feature will look through your address book and select anyone that the company's software thinks is related to you. The new feature also allows Geni users to invite other contacts to share photos, videos, and events. G (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
Knowledge Adventure In 3D Virtual Worlds DealTorrance-based Knowledge Adventure, which develops software for the educational games market, said today that it has inked a deal with Unity Technologies to develop a "3D virtual world" geared at kids. According to the firm, it will create a new virtual world aimed at kids 3-10, which will allow children to access the firm's JumpStart and Math Blaster branded software online, via the iPhone and iPod Touch, Mac, and Wii. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Unity Technologies is a Cope (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
THQ, Massive In Game Advertising DealCalabasas-based video game publisher THQ has inked a deal with Microsoft's Massive subsidiary, to include in-game advertising from Massive, the firms said today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to the firms, Massive will be the exclusive, in-game advertising partners for THQ's PC and Xbox 360 video games. The ad deal will roll out with Saints Row 2, which began shipping in October.
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
Report: Buzznet Chops StaffHollywood-based, music-related blog and content firm Buzznet has reportedly cut employees, according to a report from Digital Music News. According to the publication, citing a representative of the firm, Buzznet has eliminated 10 employees, from a total of 89 staff. This publication has not yet confirmed the cuts with the firm. Buzznet operates an online social networking and social media site focused on music and bands, and is backed by Anthem Ventures, Interscope, Redpoint Ventures, and other (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
Virgin Charter Ties Into GetThereSanta Monica-based Virgin Charter, Richard Branson's online private jet chartering service, said today that it has inked a deal with travel booking provider GetThere, which allows companies, government agencies, and travel agents to book travel. According to Virgin Charter, users of GetThere's services will be able to receive quotes for aviation charters via the GetThere system. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Virgin Charter has an online marketplace that allows buyers to get quo (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
Perfect Market CTO Joins School BoardPasadena-based Perfect Market, the Idealab startup which is looking to monetize dormant content from publishers, said this morning that the firm's CTO, Dr. Jay Budzik, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, by the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich. Budzik is a graduate of the school, which is a residential college preparatory program. Budzik joined Perfect Market in November, after the firm acquired Chicago-based MediaRiver, a developer (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
Ixia Expands To Latin AmericaCalabasas-based Ixia, a developer of network testing software and hardware, said last week that it is entering the Latin American telecommunications market. The firm said that it has named a VP to head up the efforts, and has tapped a Brazilian distributor to serve the region. According to Ixia, it has named Carlos Arthur Barros as VP Latin America,, signed a deal with Brazilian distributor ETAILOR, and is looking to add additional distributors as part of its Latin American initiative. Barros jo (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)
Arkeia Names New CEO, VPSan Diego-based Arkeia Software, a provider of data backup software, said last week that it has named Bill Evans as the firm's CEO. Evans joins the data storage firm from Parascale, where he was CEO. He also served at Gateway, and was also a co-founder of Blue Martini Software, in addition to serving at Objectivity, Red Brick Systems, and Oracle. The firm also said that Frederic Renard has joined the firm as VP of Marketing. Renard previously worked at Arkeia, as well as holding positions at VEO (More info...)
posted on Monday, November 24, 2008(Full story)